This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Please provide a summary of corruption risks that are particular to research funding and research organisations as well as possible mitigating measures, with a focus on the healthcare sector.
Content
- Background
- Corruption risks in research funding
- Mitigating corruption risks in research funding
- References
Summary
Funding research organisations in low-income countries can have a significant positive effect on the economic and political development of these countries. However, donors considering providing financial support to such organisations will need to consider both background integrity issues, such as the potential for conflict of interest or undue influence over research processes, as well as particular vulnerabilities to forms of corruption such as fraud and embezzlement.
The literature identifies potential mitigation strategies to counter the risk of corruption in research, such as codes of conduct, accountability and transparency mechanisms, and the implementation of risk management systems.
Authors
Ortrun Merkle, [email protected]
Reviewers
Matthew Jenkins and Nieves Zúñiga, Transparency International
Date
12/12/2017