POLICY NAME: Multiple Principal Investigators
POLICY NUMBER: OGCM 024
SCOPE: All Researchers
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2007
LAST REVIEWED: January 1, 2007

PURPOSE:

Federal research agencies are currently preparing for the implementation of policies and procedures to formally allow more than one Principal Investigator (PI) on individual research awards. This presents a new and important opportunity for investigators seeking support for projects or activities that clearly require an interdisciplinary approach. The multiple-PI option is targeted specifically to those projects that do not fit the single-PI model, and therefore is intended to supplement, and not to replace, the traditional single PI model. The overarching goal is to maximize the potential of team science efforts, and to encourage collaboration among equals when that is the most appropriate way to address a scientific problem.

Additional information regarding Principal Investigator Eligibility at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth may be found on OGCM policy number OGCM-15
http://www.hsc.unt.edu/research/researchoffice/Policies/OGCM_015.htm

POLICY:

National Institutes of Health Implementation

On November 20, 2006 the NIH published the following important notice in the NIH Guide: "Establishment of Multiple Principal Investigator Awards for the Support of Team Science Projects," NOT-OD-07-017 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-017.html .

Key features include a required Leadership Plan describing the roles, the responsibilities, and the working relationship of the identified PIs. The first listed PI must be affiliated with the applicant institution and will serve as the contact PI. All PIs will have access to the Status of the proposal on eRA Commons and will be listed on the summary statement, Notice of Award and in CRISP. Any requested allocation of funds to components of the project or the associated PIs must be included in the Leadership Plan. If an award is made, the requested allocation will be acknowledged in the NOGA. Unless limited by a specific term of award, the acknowledgment of the requested allocation will not limit institutional authority to manage the funds nor will it impose additional prior approval requirements. Awards involving PIs at different institutions will be managed using subcontracts until options involving linked awards have been developed.

See also the NIH web page on Multiple Principal Investigators for complete information:
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi/index.htm

National Science Foundation Implementation

The National Science Foundation currently allows Co-PI's and linked proposals as an option for collaborative projects. Linked proposals can have up to 5 PIs from each institution. The NSF has not announced changes in their policies at this time.

UNTHSC Implementation

UNTHSC requires the designation of a single contact PI for each sponsored project. This is the individual responsible for the management and reporting of the project. There is currently no change planned in our internal systems or processes because of the multi-PI implementation.

The administration of multi-PI projects will follow polices and procedures currently in place for collaborative projects.

•  The contact PI listed on the external proposal transmittal form (blue sheet) will be the individual ultimately responsible for the administration of the project.

•  Separate budgets must be submitted for each of the multiple PIs at the time of proposal submission to be established as separate projects (grant accounts) for each PI.

•  Projects with PI's from other institutions will be handled as a subcontract agreement which is the current practice.

UNTHSC will continue to monitor the progress of the multi-PI initiative and modify UNTHSC processes as needed and as resources become available.