The What, When, How, Why and Who of Foreign Engagement

The University of Miami recognizes the importance of international collaborations for scientific advances, but also acknowledges that some organizations may have hidden motives for seeking collaboration with our faculty. ​The U.S. government has identified numerous occurrences of inappropriate influence by foreign governments over federally funded research and innovation, including:​

  • failure to disclose all foreign affiliations, other support, conflicts of interest, and conflicts of commitment and in applications for NIH grants;​
  • diversion of proprietary or pre-publication information disclosed in grant applications or produced by NIH-supported research to those not authorized to receive it; and​
  • breaches of confidentiality in peer review.​

Our policies require faculty and some employees to disclose information that assists in identifying potential risks of foreign influence. The University also adopted additional policies to address federal agency and departmental reporting requirements for grant recipients. ​Below we introduce all the University resources that help researchers and scholars navigate foreign affiliations, other support received, conflicts of interest, and conflicts of commitment.​

WHAT 

WHEN

HOW

WHY

RESPONSIBLE UM OFFICE
Disclose financial & obligatory interests and foreign support  Before submission of funding proposal and before engaging in research, at least annually, and within 30 days of acquiring new interests  UDisclose System Conflict of Interest in Research Policy  Disclosures & Scholarly Activities Management (DSAM)
Disclose recruitment or participation in a "foreign talent" program (ex. 1000 Talents Program) Immediately  UDisclose System  Conflict of Interest in Research Policy  Disclosures & Scholarly Activities Management (DSAM)
Consult with Export Control Officer, as needed  Consult shipping overseas, engaging in international collaborations, research-related travel abroad  Export Control Compliance  US Export Control Regulations; Export Control Policy  Export Control Compliance
Review and Update Other Support Before Submitting Other Support to any entitity, sponsor or person In accordance with sponsor guidelines and policies. For more information, see Reminders of NIH Policies on Other Support and NSF FAQs Required by sponsors to be eligible for and receive funding  Research Administration
Ensure appropriate disclosure of foreign components on sponsored research  Before commencement of work with a foreign entity, whether or not grant funds are expended Contact Research Administration  The terms of many awards require that the sponsor review and approve the foreign component in advance  Research Administration
Involvment in a start-up company or technology Before sending or receiving proprietary information about the related technology  Contact Office of Technology Transfer  IP Tech Transfer Policies  OTT
International Travel Two (2) weeks in advance of the expected departure International Travel Authorization Forms  International Travel Approval Policy  Travel Management Department 

Top