Any secondary activities carried out outside the EPFL employment contract must be declared to prevent conflicts of interest. These rules apply to all staff, with specific procedures depending on their role.
Why Regulation?
Certain external activities may:
- Affect the quality of services (excessive workload)
- Harm the reputation of EPFL or the ETH Domain
- Inappropriately use the School’s infrastructure
- Create conflicts of interest or compromise impartiality
- Endanger intellectual property or academic freedom
Who Is Concerned?
Directive LEX 4.1.1 (PDF) applies to:
- The faculty (assistant, associate, and full professors)
- Administrative, technical, and scientific staff, especially in cases of part-time activities performed outside the EPFL contract.
Unpaid activities must also be declared if there is a risk of conflict of interest.
Declaration and Authorization Requirements
- For Faculty:
- Annual declaration of all ancillary activities
- Authorization required for certain activities listed in Article 8 of the directive
- Use the online tool: https://declprofs.epfl.ch/
- More information available under External Activities of Professors (Intranet)
- For Staff:
- Prior declaration (PDF) of paid or potentially risky activities
- Authorization required (PDF) for cases defined in Article 11 of the Directive
In Case of Doubt
- Professors: Contact your dean or [email protected]
- Staff: Contact your direct supervisor or your unit’s HR Manager