1. When should the External Activity PAR form be submitted? In advance of performance of the external activity, every 12 months if the external activity is ongoing, and every time material changes to the external activity occur.
2. Who should submit the External Activity PAR form? UAB Enterprise employees, in accordance with the UAB Enterprise Conflict of Interest Conflict of Commitment Policy opens a new website;
3. Is there any additional information that needs to be submitted? Yes. In myUABResearch, External Activity PARs are a separate submission from the disclosure of remuneration/financial interest received. Upon receipt of the remuneration/financial interest, the employee must edit their Disclosure Profile to reflect the remuneration/financial interest received.

Professional public service activities are specifically defined in the UAB Enterprise Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment opens a new website policy and follow the exceptions for conflicts of interest outlined in the federal research regulations. They are activities that are performed for external entities but are considered to be part of an employee’s institutional responsibilities or academic appointment. Professional public service activities may or may not be separately compensated. Typically, outside organizations offer no more than reimbursement of lodging and travel expenses, a minor token of appreciation, or small honorarium to recognize the work performed. As a general rule of thumb, the greater the compensation, the less likely the activity is to be categorized as a professional public service activity.

It is important to categorize activities properly so that employees and reviewers can identify appropriate treatment. Generally, professional public service activities do not require advance approval by supervisors; however, your school may have stricter requirements for approval of professional public service activities, so check with your dean’s level reviewer. If you are unsure as to how an activity is best categorized, err on the side of external activity and seek approval prior to performing the services.

Employees must:

• Properly account for time spent on professional public service activities in accordance with applicable UAB ENTERPRISE human resource policies for applying leave time, as well as maximum time allowed.
• Register any international travel associated with performance of a professional public service activity through the UAB International Travel Registration opens a new website form in accordance with the UAB-Related International Travel Policy opens a new website.

In addition, investigators and institutional officials must:

• Disclose PPSA financial interests opens a new website in myUABResearch for any financial interest resulting from a PPSA (which includes sponsored or reimbursed travel) exceeding $5,000 acquired from any one entity in the previous 12 months for their participation in professional public service activities;
  • Exception: investigators and institutional officials do not have to submit such form for such financial interest if the financial interest is acquired in return for providing seminars, lectures, presentations, or service on advisory committees or review panels for U.S. federal, state, or local government agencies, U.S. institutions of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), U.S. academic teaching hospitals, U.S. medical centers, or U.S. research institutes that are affiliated with a U.S. institution of higher education; and
• Disclose PPSA financial interests opens a new website in myUABResearch for any financial interest in any amount received from a foreign person or entity (governmental, non-profit, for-profit, etc.).

For example, if you are invited as a guest lecturer to talk about your scholarship and the University of Hawaii pays for your travel expenses (presumably a value greater than $5,000), you will need to submit a Financial Interest Disclosure.

As part of one's institutional responsibilities or academic appointment, time away from UAB work to perform professional public service activities generally qualifies for professional leave.