Conflict of Interest Mitigation Guidelines for Graduate Education

Actual or perceived conflicts of interest or commitment between the role of a graduate student and other Virginia Tech or external entities may arise for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

• VT employees pursuing graduate degrees or graduate coursework at Virginia Tech
• Students having a close connection with a faculty member or assistantship supervisor through marriage or other family relationship or through social settings such as clubs,  religious or civic organizations, etc.
• Students having a non-employment-based financial relationship with their advisor, supervisor, or committee member through a housing arrangement, personal loan, or other means 
• Students engaging in outside employment or business activity with their instructor, advisor, assistantship supervisor, or committee member
• Students having an advisory committee member who is employed by an outside entity that is financially supporting the student’s assistantship or the student’s or VT advisor(s)’ research
• Other conflicts due to personal or professional circumstances or choices

Potential conflicts of interest must be managed to avoid any actual or perceived inappropriate personal, financial, or professional influence over the graduate student’s academic program, research, teaching, or other efforts related to their graduate education.

When a potential conflict of interest is identified, use the Conflict of Interest Mitigation In Graduate School form to document the potential conflict and corresponding mitigation plan.

Graduate students receive a notice upon admission and a semi-annual reminder of these guidelines. In addition, the Graduate School specifically monitors the potential conflicts of interest that may develop when VT employees pursue graduate degrees or graduate coursework at Virginia Tech. 

Additional information, policies and procedures about conflict(s) of interest at Virginia Tech: 

• https://financialmanagement.vpfin.vt.edu/business-practices/dbmg/conflict-of-interest.html
• https://www.research.vt.edu/research-support/forms-guidance/conflict-interest.html
• https://www.research.vt.edu/sirc/disclosure/contacts.html
• https://www.research.vt.edu/sirc/disclosure/researcher.html