Commercial support for your educational activity MUST be disclosed the participants of your educational activity. There are several methods of doing so, but printing it on promotional materials (brochures, flyers, etc.), including it in emails to participants, or displaying it on the sign-in sheet/table, are all acceptable means of communicating this important information to your participants.
NOTE: Commercial interests can NOT be acknowledged as "sponsors". You should acknowledge them as supporters, e.g. "This activity has been supported through an unrestricted educational grant(s) from ______". Please send us your promotional material so we can ensure that the wording aligns with ACCME standards.
We're always available to answer questions, so contact us if you're unsure of any step in dealing with commercial support. In summary, here are some reminders:
- No member of a supporting organization is involved in planning the educational activity
- A letter of agreement (LOA) must be executed for any commercial support
- All funds must be in the form of an unrestricted educational grant and must come through UAB. No commercial logos can appear on any materials that acknowledge the commercial supporter
- All contracts must be executed through the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) or through the Office of University Contracts
Just a couple of important Don'ts:
- Dont' ever sign an agreement. All agreements must be routed through OSP or University Contracts
- Don't allow distribution of promotional material in any room where education activities take place
- Don't allow a commercial supporter to influence any aspect of the program - that's the "unrestricted" part in an "unrestricted educational grant..."