Embedded in Imperial’s Ethics Code, staff are required to ensure that due diligence is carried out, external interests are registered, and conflicts of interests are declared and managed, to ensure that collaborations are undertaken appropriately and responsibly. 

It is critical that due diligence is conducted on proposed partners prior to moving forward with any collaborator for any activity, as per Imperial’s Relationships Policy. The level of due diligence required will depend on how sensitive the work is and where the proposed collaborators are based. University administration will carry out due diligence prior to entering into contract, including financial, ethical, legal, and national security considerations. It is the responsibility of Principal Investigators to understand who their proposed partner is and how the partners intend to make use of their access to any information, knowledge, technology, and people at Imperial. This includes intended use of the outcomes of the activities in question. 

The University requires staff to work in accordance with Conflict of Interest Policies (see below, under "relevant policies"). As per Imperial’s Ethics Code, members should declare outside interests relevant to their activities at the University and manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts appropriately and always in accordance with the University’s External Interests Policy (see below, under "relevant policies").