Conflict of Interest Policy

NSHRF makes every effort to ensure, not only that its decisions are fair and objective, but also that they are seen to be so. Therefore, reviewers must avoid any actions that might give the appearance that a conflict of interest exists or could reasonably be viewed as affecting the reviewer’s objectivity. For example, a reviewer must not review materials submitted by:

a) individuals from his/her immediate department;
b) individuals with whom the reviewer is collaborating, or has collaborated, published or has been a co-applicant within the past five years;
c) a former student or teacher within the last ten years;
d) a close personal friend;
e) a close relative; or
f) a scientist with whom the reviewer has had long-standing scientific or personal differences.

In addition, reviewers who are in a position to gain or lose financially from the outcome of the application or for some other reason feel that they cannot provide an objective review should not participate in the review. When the reviewer is uncertain as to whether a conflict exists, he/she should inform the NSHRF and a final decision will be made.

Policy last updated: March 2007