J. Conflicts of interest
J.1 The MRC recognises that conflicts of interest may arise, or appear to exist, at different levels of research endeavour from planning the research to disseminating and exploiting the results and in the associated peer review– and in many forms. Apart from financial interests, conflicts might, for example, be personal, academic, political or arise from the acceptance of gifts or hospitality.
J.2 The MRC expects procedures to be in place for identifying, declaring and addressing professional, private or commercial interests that might, or might be perceived to arise in relation to MRC-funded research. As much attention should be paid to perceived and potential conflicts of interest as to actual conflicts. All conflicts should be openly declared when reporting the outcomes of MRC-funded research at scientific meetings and conferences and in publications or when taking part in peer review.
J.3 The MRC’s Code of Conduct for employees requires that any real, or perceived, conflicts must be discussed with the MRC unit director. Registers of declared interests and gifts and hospitality must be retained locally. Interests declared by members of the MRC’s Council and decision-making bodies are routinely published.
