NIH Multiple PI Implementation

In May 2006, the NIH began conducting a pilot of the Multiple PI Option for several different funding opportunity announcements. Beginning February 2007, most research grant applications received electronically will accommodate the Multiple PI Option. Revised instructions to applicants and standard review criteria to accommodate both single PI and multiple PI applications will be built into both the PHS 398 and the SF424 (R&R) application packages as well as FOAs that appear in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All relevant information will ultimately be reflected on the NIH Multiple PI Web site.

NIH conducted a comment period after the pilot began. While many of the comments were positive, and most people (investigators and peer reviewers) are in favor of the Multiple PI Option, one issue came to light: in some applications (during the pilot), the listed PIs did not appear to have a clearly identified leadership role or their expertise did not appear to be closely related to the proposed project. In other words, either the Leadership Plan was not thorough, or people were listed as PIs as a courtesy. Reveiwers pointed out that this detracts from the perceived merit of the application.

NIH Multiple PI Site

Implementing the Multiple Principal Investigator Policy (November 2006)

Establishment of Multiple Principal Investigator Awards for the Support of Team Science Projects (February 2006)

Proposals to the NIH that include multiple PIs are required to include a “Leadership Plan.”  The “Plan” will describe the governance structure, including processes for making decisions on scientific direction, resource allocation, publications, IP, and conflict resolution.  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 NGA.  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 (from the NIH Guide).

-The first PI listed on the application will serve as the contact PI. The contact PI will be responsible for communication between the NIH and the rest of the leadership team (from the NIH Guide).

Proposal Routing Sheet:  All UA PIs will sign the PRS when the application is routed. The Contact PI should be listed on the front page of the PRS.  Award documents with multiple PIs will have a list of all PIs.  Preaward will obtain a revised PRS if the award list includes names not on the PRS (but not if the PRS has more names than the award list).  Preaward will review and keep a copy of the leadership plan with each proposal that lists multiple PIs. 

Mailing Address:
PO Box 3308
Tucson, AZ 85722-3308

Phone: (520) 626-6000
Proposal Fax: (520) 626-4130
Post Award Fax: (520) 626-4137
Email: sponsor@u.arizona.edu

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