Managing Conflict of Interest in Grant Reviews

Conflicts are inevitable; managing them openly keeps processes fair and decisions defensible.

• Define what counts as a conflict and require declarations.
• Enforce recusal and track attendance.
• Record decisions and rationale clearly.

Policy essentials

Keep policy short and easy to understand.

• Examples of direct and indirect conflicts.
• Declarations before access to applications.
• Sanctions or steps for non‑compliance.

Key takeaway: clarity encourages honest disclosure.

Operational safeguards

Use systems to prevent accidental access to conflicted items.

• Automated exclusions from assignments and views.
• Logs of who accessed what and when.
• Independent chairing for meetings where needed.

Key takeaway: Plinth bakes in conflict controls.

Communication with applicants

Explain how conflicts are handled to build confidence.

• Public statement of policy and processes.
• Provide contact routes for concerns.
• Be transparent about panel composition where appropriate.

Key takeaway: openness protects credibility.

FAQs

Are minor links conflicts?

Use judgement; when in doubt, declare and record.

Can trustees review applications?

Yes if conflicts are declared and managed.

Should we publish reviewer names?

Case by case; balance transparency and privacy.