Home

Tag Archives: SFI

Since GIM 10 requires that I disclose my imputed SFI, does this mean that I have to disclose my spouse’s travel, even though s/he is not employed at the UW?

Most likely, the answer is “no”: as defined in GIM 10, imputed interests usually involve a partner/family member/spouse’s working for or having equity in an outside entity whose business is related to your University research. Ffor example, ownership in a company that could profit based on the outcome of your University research project.

The travel disclosure requirement is applicable to University personnel, since the regulations define travel paid for by an outside entity directly to the recipient to be SFI; this requirement does not apply to non-University personnel.

Travel expenses incurred by spouse/partner/family member are not a Financial Interest UNLESS they contribute to a University researcher’s SFI.  Therefore only if a spouse’s (or partner’s or other immediate family member’s) travel expenses, when combined with other financial interests of the same outside entity, create an imputed SFI do such things need to be disclosed.

There may be rare cases; for example, where a spouse’s travel is paid for by an outside entity who also has a direct connection to your University research (such as when your spouse works for the sponsor of your University research project), and their total amount of compensation or equity in the outside entity crosses the threshold for SFI that could appear to have a biasing effect on your University research. Since travel could be construed to be considered a form of compensation, it may be a judgment call as to whether such a situation becomes an imputed SFI. If there is any question about such examples, please contact the Office of Research for guidance.

When must an Investigator disclose SFI that is unrelated to their current research project?

Example: an Investigator receives Institutional Review Required (IRR) funding to perform quantitative imaging and also does outside consulting for Amgen and AstraZeneca. The Investigator receives more than $5000 from each Entity for the consulting work, but the work involves drug development, not quantitative imaging.  Does the $5000 from each Entity need to be disclosed if the work is not related to research?

Under GIM 10, Investigators participating in IRR-Funded Research must report SFIs as related to their Institutional Responsibilities.  This is a broader disclosure than was previously required.  GIM 10 defines “Institutional Responsibilities” as  “any professional activity carried out by an Investigator or Innovator for which the Investigator or Innovator is compensated by the University, including:  (i) sponsored activities (such as Research, training, and similar activities sponsored by external sources including federal, state and local governments and private businesses, corporations, foundations and organizations), (ii) non-sponsored activities (such as teaching, departmental or University supported Research, clinical work, and department and University administrative duties), and (iii) University-related public service.”

I am a member of the UW School of Medicine Faculty; however, all of my grants are managed at Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI). My FCOI plan is presently managed by Children’s. Would changes in the UW’s GIM 10 impact my current arrangement?

Investigators are subject to the FCOI policy of the institution that manages the research funding.  Therefore, if SCRI manages the research funding, Investigators should disclose their SFIs in accordance with the SCRI’s FCOI policy.  Investigators conducting research at the UW would disclose SFI in accordance with GIM 10.

What is the process for disclosure and review of Significant Financial Interests (SFI)?

The Investigator discloses SFI through FIDS and in accordance with GIM 10.  The Office of Research reviews the disclosed SFI and determines if an FCOI is present.  If a determination of FCOI is made, then a management plan will be produced and distributed to the Investigator, the Investigator’s Department and any other required parties.

The Financial Interest Disclosure System (FIDS) was released on August 16th, 2012 and replaced the paper-based system.

Overview and Navigation

The Financial Interest Disclosure System (FIDS) is an online system that investigators use to disclose Significant Financial Interests (SFI) related to their research projects.

Access FIDS at http://www.washington.edu/research/tools/fids/

You will need to use FIDS to:

  • Disclose your SFI for each eGC1 for which you are an investigator.
  • Disclose changes you make to your SFI, including updating information, adding new SFI,  or deleting SFI.
  • Disclose your SFI for a CoMotion technology transfer or Human Subjects Division (HSD).

For more information on:

Parts of the Page

To help you navigate through FIDS, the following image shows the ten basic parts of the pages.

example page with the parts numbered

  1. Welcome with your name displays in the upper left of the window.
  2. Sign out link, which will log you out of FIDS, is to the right of your name.
  3. Help link which will open a new window and display the FIDS User Guide and other support pages. It’s to the right of the sign out link.
  4. Breadcrumb trail which you can click to return to your Profile page. Displays on the left, below the green FIDS banner.
  5. Page title which indicates the purpose of the page. Displays below the breadcrumb trail.
  6. Action Bar which will contain icons appropriate to the page. The Delete (trashcan) and Save icons appear in this image and appear on the right side of the bar, just below the page title.
  7. Section heading with a help icon to provide contextual help for this part of the page.
  8. Main section of the page, indicated by the pale colored background, where you might view information, enter or edit data, or click a link to add information in a new window.
  9. Page footer which contains buttons and/or links to complete this page and move to the next, or cancel out of this page and return to a prior state or page. Displays below the main section.
  10. System footer which contains links to Learning and Contact Us information.

Tip: Do not use your browser’s back button to navigate. Instead use the links and breadcrumb trail within FIDS.