What’s a conflict of interests? Here is the definition of the European Research Council, which should reflect the strictest standards associated with excellent research. I reproduce it here because it’s good and I feel that conflict of interests are not taken seriously enough in science.
I am in conflict of interest if and only if:
- I am PI/author or team member in the proposal (or any other proposal submitted to the call)
- I was involved in the preparation of the proposal (or any other proposal submitted to the same panel)
- I would benefit should the proposal (or any other proposal submitted to the same panel) be accepted or rejected
- I am employed or contracted by the host or by any party involved in the action - or have been so in the past 3 years
- I am involved in the management of the host or of any party involved in the action - or have been so in the past 3 years
- I am collaborating scientifically - or have done so in the past 5 years - with the PI/author
- I have (or have had) a mentor/mentee relationship with the PI/author
- I have family ties or close personal relationship with the PI/author (or any PI/author submitting a proposal to the same panel)
- I have family ties or close personal relationship with anyone who was involved in the preparation of the proposal (or any other proposal submitted to the same panel)
- I have family ties or close personal relationship with anyone who would benefit from the proposal being granted (or from any other proposal submitted to the same panel being granted) or rejected
- I am (or was) in a relationship of scientific rivalry or hostility with the PI/author
- I am in any other situation that would preclude the impartial review of the proposal or that could appear to do so