Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Director (PD) Eligibility Status Policy
A page within Research & Sponsored Programs
Purpose
UW System Administrative (UWSA) Policy 342: Extramural Support Administration (section 6.C.II.) requires UW institutions to establish criteria for determining eligibility of faculty and/or staff to act as principal investigators (PIs) or project directors (PDs). This policy sets forth the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s (UWL) parameters regarding which university affiliated personnel may serve as PIs or PDs. The terms Principal Investigator (PI) and Project Director (PD) are used to identify an individual with primary responsibility for a project.
Scope
The parameters of this policy apply to internal grants (i.e., awards sponsored by UWL) for faculty and staff, UW System sponsored awards, extramural awards, and agreements with external entities related to research and creative activities or other sponsored projects and programs. Extramural awards are inclusive of grants, cooperative agreements, sponsored research contracts, and other funding mechanisms defined as such by UWSA Policy 342. UWL-sponsored grants for undergraduate and graduate student projects are not governed by this policy.
Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Director (PD) Eligibility
In order to submit a proposal, serve as Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Director (PD) on an award, or be represented as a PI/PD in agreements with external entities, individuals must be eligible to serve as a PI/PD according to UWL's policy standards.
In order to be eligible to serve as a UWL PI/PD, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a current, continuing appointment at the university
- Be tenured or tenure-track faculty, instructional academic staff (IAS), non-instructional academic staff (NIAS), or university staff
These criteria aim to assure designated PIs/PDs are available to provide the ongoing management of project activities and fulfill all other PI/PD responsibilities.
All personnel, particularly FLSA non-exempt personnel, who meet the PI/PD eligibility criteria will need to proactively consult with their supervisor, Human Resources, and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs to determine if the terms of their appointment can accommodate the time needed to fulfill PI/PD responsibilities.
Undergraduate students, graduate students, and university personnel serving in adjunct or limited term roles are not eligible to serve as PIs/PDs. However, they may be designated as co-investigators/co-directors.
Individual agency, award, or program policies may set forth additional PI/PD eligibility requirements, which would apply in addition to those identified in this policy.