Disclosure Requirements and Standardization

Federal research funding agencies are working to provide clarity regarding disclosure requirements, disclosure process, and expected degree of cross-agency uniformity related to potential conflicts of interest and commitment from participants in the Federally funded R&D enterprise. Detailed directives for these agencies are outlined in the NSPM-33 guidance document. General information, a timeline of progress, and Iowa State University’s current response are highlighted below.

General information and charge given to federal agencies

• Specification of who is required to disclose and what activities – standardized across research agencies to the greatest extent practicable
• Standardized forms and formats – waiting on release from OSTP
• Institutions, through their investigators, will be required to update disclosures before an award, at least annually
• Mechanisms for correcting disclosures – agencies must communicate clearly and processes are simple and straightforward

Timeline/where we are

• Forms out for public comment
• OSTP to review comments and update forms, finalize, and communicate the implementation plan
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) will be the stewards of the disclosure information                      

ISU response

• Current disclosure requirements by federal sponsor are available on the ORE website