Avoiding actual or perceived conflicts of interest is paramount for the Novo Nordisk Foundation in order that we can act transparently, with integrity, and in a way that maintains public trust.
For grants, our Rules for Grant Eligibility and Assessment provide guidance on when someone is ineligible to receive or evaluate a grant due to a personal, professional, or financial conflict of interest.
The Foundation has also adopted specific guidelines regarding collaboration with Novo Group companies, especially when considering grants and projects in fields where the Novo Group may have a commercial interest. These guidelines are detailed in the Board-approved Policy on Engaged Ownership of Novo Group Companies.
At the employee level, Foundation employees must disclose to their manager when they have a financial or non-financial personal interest or outside loyalty that could affect their ability to perform their job without bias. Managers must ensure that such conflicts are documented and appropriately managed, such as by recusing the employee from decision-making.
Moreover, the Foundation does not tolerate nepotism, including granting preferential treatment to friends, family, or other close relations.
To support its conflict of interest programme, the Foundation maintains strict internal policies on sideline employment, outside academic activities, insider trading, and giving and receiving honoraria, gifts, & hospitality. In addition, the Foundation conducts regular conflict of interest disclosure exercises for senior decision-makers.
Guidance on reporting conflict of interest concerns can be found in the “Reporting Code of Conduct Concerns” section of the Partner Code of Conduct.
