Recent Developments in Conflict of Interest

Updates to the COI annual form – October 2020

Columbia has long required faculty, researchers and clinicians to complete an annual disclosure form regarding outside financial interests and activities that relate to professional activities at Columbia, including research, clinical care, teaching, University administration, and other activities.

This form, filed in Rascal, is officially called the “Annual Financial Interest Report” (but often may be referred to as the “COI annual form” or “Rascal annual”).

As of October 10, 2020, the COI annual form has been updated significantly, including the following:

  1. The form will import disclosures from the last COI annual form you filed. You will then have the option to edit or remove these disclosures as appropriate.
  2. Some questions have been added or updated to implement recommendations of the Conflict of Commitment Advisory Committee (a faculty committee appointed by the Interim Provost in spring 2020) and enhance compliance with federal requirements. 
  3. New help text and “hover-over” definitions have been added throughout the form.

It is of utmost importance that you complete your COI annual form accurately, fully, and on time, and amend your disclosures as needed.  Enhancements similar to those described above also have been made to the COI amendment form.

Questions?

  • If you have technical questions about the form, please contact the Rascal team at [email protected].
  • If you have questions regarding conflict of interest in research, please visit the Conflict of Interest in Research website at https://research.columbia.edu/content/conflict-interest-in-research or contact the Office of Research Compliance and Training.
  • Questions about other conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment should be directed to your school’s dean’s office.