What happens after I disclose a foreign non-OPA engagement?
- The activity will be labeled as a foreign non-OPA
- You will not need to complete additional disclosure steps
- The submission is captured for institutional tracking and compliance purposes
FAQs: OPA Disclosures
Why am I required to disclose engagements with foreign entities?
MIT policy requires faculty, researchers, research staff, academic instructional staff, postdocs, and others as directed to disclose any engagement with a foreign entity that is (or appears to be) Reasonably Related to your Institutional Responsibilities. This disclosure ensures:
- Compliance with federal regulations and sponsor requirements
- Identifying entities which may pose a risk to your ability to secure future federal research funding
- Appropriate institutional oversight of foreign relationships
If I have an engagement with a foreign entity, do I need to disclose it?
Yes.
MIT policy requires faculty, researchers, research staff, academic instructional staff, postdocs, and others as directed to disclose any engagement with a foreign entity that is (or appears to be) Reasonably Related to your Institutional Responsibilities.
Additionally, even if the activity is part of your normal MIT responsibilities (and would not otherwise be considered an Outside Professional Activity, or OPA), it must still be disclosed if it involves a foreign entity. MIT has an expedited disclosure process for these situations.
Examples
- Serving as an editor of a foreign journal – Disclose if with a foreign journal; not required for domestic journals such as Science
- Representing MIT on a foreign government or international committee – Disclose if with organizations like CERN; not required for U.S. agencies such as NIH
- Giving academic lectures, presentations, or seminars at foreign institutions – Disclose if at institutions such as the Sorbonne; not required for U.S.-based institutions such as Harvard
What is the difference between Institutional Time and Permitted Time? Are these the same thing?
Institutional Time is the total time required for individuals, such as faculty and researchers, to fulfill their Institutional Responsibilities. Institutional Time includes Permitted Time for faculty and certain ranks. Permitted Time is a specific portion of Institutional Time allocated for Outside Professional Activities (OPAs), allowing faculty to engage in activities beyond their core MIT responsibilities.
MIT does not require reporting of specific hours or days spent on OPAs, relying on faculty to manage their time effectively to ensure that these activities do not compete with their institutional obligations. For faculty, Permitted Time is up to 20% of Institutional Time; for other defined ranks, it is up to 10%. All others do not have Permitted Time to engage in OPAs.
Who reviews and approves my OPA disclosure?
Either your DAF or department head in your unit will approve your OPA.
How do I disclose an FCOI and an OPA in MyCOI-OPA+?
Refer to MyCOI-OPA+ Resources for detailed guidance.
How do graduate students report outside professional activities?
Graduate students considering outside professional activities should continue to follow the policies outlined in Graduate Policies and Procedures on COI and OPA. They will not use MyCOI-OPA+ unless specifically instructed to do so as part of a research proposal or award process.
I am an administrator and had to submit an OPA disclosure in prior years. Do I need to submit an OPA disclosure in MyCOI-OPA+?
No. Administrative, support, and service staff now report Outside Professional Activities directly to supervisors only as required by the Conflict of Commitment policy. They do not use MyCOI-OPA+.
When do I need to submit my OPA disclosure?
Submit your OPA disclosure:
- Within 30 days of starting a new engagement or renewing an existing one
- If 12 months have passed since your last OPA disclosure
Even if you have no OPAs to report, you must still complete and certify your OPA disclosure.