Let us consider cases where the financial suspicion rests on the researcher alone, rather than on the sponsor colluding with the researcher to reach previously agreed upon research conclusions. In these cases, typically, the researcher (or someone closely associated) stands to gain financially from the results of the research.
There are two basic categories of financial conflict, the first has to do with Public Funding. If the research funding is public money then a conflict would revolve around a "public trust" ethic. The researcher has no right to assist himself or herself personally with the funds. It would be like the federal government capitalizing a private venture. Accordingly, the researcher must divest himself or herself of the interest that will benefit financially before taking the public funding. The purpose of public funding is that a public good is expected to emerge from the research, including any novelties, discoveries, and inventions
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