Answer: The main focus of NIH’s conflict of interest policy is: Financial conflicts of interest.

Financial Interest: A substantial interest of an individual that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of NIH-funded research. Financial interests may include employment, consultancies, stock ownership or options, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, and grant support. Revenues from the above as well as salary are considered financial interests for those with positions as investigators on NIH grants or cooperative agreements. Indirect financial interests relate to circumstances in which an individual has a beneficial interest in the economic success of an organization where such financial interest could be inferred from family relationships or professional position. The type of research being conducted by this organization does not have a direct bearing on whether a conflict exists.