Principal investigator

Principal Investigator

A Principal Investigator (often abbreviated as PI) is the primary individual responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of a research grant, research project, or other research activity in his/her capacity. The term is most commonly used in the context of funding for scientific research projects.

Role and Responsibilities

The Principal Investigator is the individual who has the authority and responsibility to direct the project or program supported by the grant. He or she is responsible for ensuring compliance with the financial and administrative aspects of the award. This includes the use of funds, direct costs, indirect costs, provision of cost sharing, audits, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.

Appointment

The appointment of a Principal Investigator is typically made by the sponsoring institution, such as a university or research institute. The PI is usually a senior scientist or faculty member with a track record of successful grant applications and project management.

In Different Countries

The role and responsibilities of a Principal Investigator can vary between countries and institutions. For example, in the United States, the PI is the individual designated by the applicant organization to direct the project to be supported by the grant. In the United Kingdom, the PI is the lead scientist on the grant and is responsible for the intellectual leadership of the research project and for the overall management of the research.

See Also

• Researcher
• Scientific Research
• Grant (money)
• Research Institute

Principal investigator Resources
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