Research Foundation - Grant Post-Award
Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator & Project Director
A Principal Investigator (PI) or Project Director (PD) who applies for sponsored research or program support has the overall award management of the sponsored program. The PI has the primary responsibility for ensuring the success of the research as well as the overall award management of the sponsored program. As such, the PI must comply with the financial and administrative policies and regulations associated with the award. Responsibilities may include:
- Developing a budget, and if it includes PI and/or Personnel Effort, ensuring that the current institutional base salary is used and that the effort is a reasonable estimate of effort to be expended in relation to the aim of the project as well as other College or School obligations;
- Participating in Award negotiations and alerting the Grants Office to the negotiations with the Sponsor in order to seek their involvement and assistance in revising the proposal budget. The PI must also ensure that the budgeted funds adequately cover the scope of the project;
- Having a thorough knowledge of and abiding by the terms and conditions of the award;
- Having oversight of professional and technical decisions of the research project;
- Having oversight of professional and technical decisions as to personnel and the selection of particular items of equipment, supplies and other items to be purchased;
- Ensuring the project’s expenses are as budgeted, complying with sponsor requirements regarding reduction in effort and change in status, and seeking prior approval for any re-budgeting of committed effort. The PI is also responsible for ensuring that the selection of personnel and purchase of equipment and supplies is in accordance with the award budget.
- Monitoring of sub-recipients and contractors, if any;
- Ensuring financial and program records retained are accurate and auditable;
- Ensuring cost-share records retained are accurate and auditable;
- Submission of sponsor or University reports and certifications on time and according to the University or sponsor’s requirements; and
- Completion of the formal closeout of the grant program.
Post-award Management and Oversight
Project Director's Guide - Manage an Award
