Notre Dame Research is pleased to announce that a comprehensive Research COI for Individuals Policy (RCOI Policy) and related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed. Our goal with this guidance is to promote objectivity and minimize bias for conflicts of interest in research while maintaining compliance with federal agency and other sponsor requirements.
The new RCOI Policy and SOPs apply to all externally funded sponsored programs. The SOPs provide details on the process as well as any additional federal agency requirements where stricter standards will be applied on a project-specific basis.
Please note that the effective date of November 1, 2026 for the RCOI Policy and SOPs will harmonize with the rollout of the online RCOI project-specific review process. This process will help NDR maintain compliance with sponsor requirements while automating processes and minimizing and reducing administrative burden to the greatest extent possible. More information about project-specific review requirements will be shared as we get closer to implementation.
Please familiarize yourself with the RCOI Policy and SOPs now as we work to continue to advance our founder's mission to be a powerful means for doing good in this country. For those preparing to take the CITI COI Training, updated information about the RCOI Policy is already included. For those who have current COI training, you will be contacted separately regarding a brief supplemental training on the new RCOI Policy as required by federal regulations.
Originally published by at research.nd.edu on September 16, 2026.