Research Security
Research Security

Disclosure Management

Pending and Other Support includes all resources made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value and regardless of whether they are based at the institution the researcher identifies for the current grant. 

Federal research sponsors require that researchers disclose “other support” to ensure there is no scientific, budgetary or commitment overlap. 

Other support is a broad term that includes financial or in-kind resources that may support individuals or labs conducting sponsored research. It can include consulting engagements, collaborations (paid or unpaid), support from foreign entities for individuals in a lab, participation in foreign talent recruitment programs or in projects and activities that provide personnel, materials, space, equipment, data and more. 

Other Support and disclosure management is a core topic in Georgetown’s Research Security Training (required for covered persons applying for or engaged in federal research).

A Biographical Sketch (“biosketch”) documents an individual’s qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project, and requires inclusion of academic, professional or institutional appointments.

Federal research sponsors require that researchers submit a biosketch to aid in their assessment of ensuring that individuals included on the application are equipped with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research.

New certifications for researchers in the context of research security have been added to the federal research sponsor “Other Support and Biosketch” forms. 

Additional details on “other support” and biographical sketch disclosure, and reporting obligations related to foreign components and budget justifications can be found here. Researchers should consult with JORA if they have questions regarding “other support” disclosures.

Georgetown’s financial conflict of interest policy underscores the fundamental expectation that our work will be conducted with objectivity and integrity. It seeks to identify potential, actual or apparent conflicts of interest and provides processes for disclosure of interests that may create such conflicts as well as processes for eliminating or, when appropriate, managing them. 

Researchers participating in federally funded research are required to disclose external financial interests and relationships that relate to their institutional responsibilities. These interests are reviewed be the University to determine if they present conflicts of interest or commitment in the context of

More information about the University’s conflict of interest policy can be found on ORO’s  Financial Conflict of Interest Policy website.  Researchers should consult with ORO if they have questions regarding COI disclosures.

A conflict of commitment can occur when an individual’s external activities, whether paid or unpaid, interfere with or appear to interfere with their ability to fulfill their primary obligations to Georgetown, including an individual’s role and responsibilities related to research. When the federal government funds a research grant or contract, it wants assurance that researchers supported by federal funds are willing and able to devote the portion of their time that is charged to the grant or contract. Federal sponsors also want assurance that federal funds are not supporting work already funded by another research organization or entity. 

In general, a conflict of commitment is an outside relationship or activity that could compromise one’s willingness or ability to meet and perform their obligations for Georgetown. 

Disclosure of outside engagements and activities is important in order to identify potential conflicts of commitment. All relationships and affiliations with foreign organizations are required to be disclosed to Georgetown through the university’s COI disclosure process, to be considered for potential conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment.

Georgetown’s Outside Professional Activities Policy, applicable to full-time faculty, also requires prior approval for certain outside activities, including those activities that do not contribute to fulfilling a faculty member’s research, teaching, and service responsibilities to the University, and/or that involve serving as a PI, co-PI, or in any other role listed as committing effort to a sponsored research, service or education grant or contract awarded through another institution or entity without a subcontract to Georgetown.

All university employees must disclose external commitments that could impact their primary Georgetown responsibilities, both to their supervisor and through the university’s COI disclosure process, as applicable. This disclosure promotes transparency, protects research integrity, and upholds the university’s mission by maintaining a fair balance between external engagements and institutional obligations.

Researchers should consult with ORO if they have questions regarding outside professional activities or conflict of commitment.

Two hands holding a packet of papers with the title "All Things Ignatian Grants."