August 26, 2003

Dear Colleagues:

To advance the research mission of the School of Medicine, we must ensure that research is conducted with integrity and openness and that the rights and interests of human subjects are protected. Likewise, the School needs to foster creativity and facilitate the translation of discoveries into therapies that improve human welfare. Often this translation involves relationships with the corporate sector and financial incentives that have the potential to increase bias in research, affect research integrity, and place human research subjects at additional risk.

To protect against potential risks posed by financial and fiduciary conflicts of interest, the School of Medicine adopted a revised Policy on Conflict of Interest in June 2002. The policy is designed to maintain the trust of the public, research volunteers, and the scientific community and to support institutional compliance with applicable government regulations, while fostering entrepreneurial activities at Johns Hopkins.

Recognizing that actual and perceived conflicts of interest often are difficult to identify, the Office of Policy Coordination (OPC) designed a training module to ensure that members of our research community understand the issues and policies surrounding conflicts of interest and commitment both nationally and at the School of Medicine.

All individuals covered under The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest are required to take the Conflict of Interest and Commitment Training Module, which is located online at https://secure.lwservers.net. Individuals covered by the policy include all faculty, staff, trainees, students, administrators and researchers who are compensated or otherwise supported by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for their services.

Outlined below are the dates by which various individuals must complete and pass the Conflict of Interest and Commitment Training Module.

By October 31, 2003:
- Individuals proposing arrangements that are subject to review by the Committee on Conflict of Interest (CCOI) must pass the training module. CCOI results will not be communicated to conflicted individual(s) until all individuals involved in the case have passed the course.

- Individuals submitting private agreements with outside entities to OPC for review and approval must pass the training module. OPC will not begin to process agreements until the individual has passed the course.

By December 31, 2003:
- Departments are responsible for ensuring that all faculty, staff, administrators, and researchers have completed the training module. All students and trainees must complete the training module.

Protocols submitted to JHM IRB or WIRB that have an associated conflict of interest will not be approved until all individuals listed on the protocol have passed the course Departments will be subject to periodic audit to ensure that all members of the department have completed and passed the course

Thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation regarding this important matter.

Sincerely,

Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice Dean for Research