STATE LAWS

The Political Reform Act of the State of California of 1974 and UC implementing policies require that the principal investigator of a project to be funded by a non-governmental agency (generally a non-profit or a for-profit sponsor) must submit the original of the disclosure form "Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators" (FPPC Form 700-U) - whether negative or positive - at the time of proposal submission.

The disclosure on Form 700-U is required to be completed by all principal investigators at the time of proposal submission to a non-governmental agency in conjunction with research gifts and research projects, including un-funded collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements, tissue transfer agreements, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards (or contracts), and so forth. Principal Investigators must disclose on behalf of themselves, their spouses, their registered domestic partners, and dependent children.

A positive disclosure signals the existence of a potential conflict of interest, a situation in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an investigator's professional judgment in conducting or reporting research funded by the non-governmental agency.

Disclosures are not required, however, for certain non-profit research sponsors that have been approved by the University and the Fair Political Practices Commission for exemption. The exempt sponsors are found on the "List of Non-Governmental Entities Exempt From Disclosure Requirement."

Note:
FPPC Form 700-U replaces Form 730-U, effective December 13, 2002.

Updated May 2004