Faculty Roles on Sponsored Projects

PD/PI

The Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is defined as the individual(s) judged by the applicant organization to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct the project or program supported by the grant. They contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a research and development project. They are the main contact for the

funding agency.

Multi-PI

The applicant organization may designate multiple individuals as PD/PIs who share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. When multiple PD/PIs are named, each is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization, or as appropriate, to a collaborating organization for the proper conduct of the project or program including the

submission of all required reports. (NIH specific title)

Co-PI

Co-investigators are involved with the PI in the project’s scientific development or execution but don’t quite rise to the level of being a full PI. A co-investigator shares the PI’s area of expertise and therefore contributes to guiding the scientific or

technical direction of the overall project.

Sr or Key Personnel

Individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of a project in a substantive, measurable way. Senior/key personnel must devote measurable effort to the project whether or not salaries or compensation are requested.

Collaborator

Collaborators always play an active role in the research, and the position is sometimes defined interchangeably with co-investigator. However, this is a scientist

whose distinct expertise complements the PIs providing unique expertise. These are normally faculty from outside Kean.

Consultant

Consultants provide advice or services and may participate significantly in the research project. They often help fill in smaller gaps by, for example, supplying software, providing technical assistance or training, or setting up equipment.

Consultants do not receive a salary from the grant but may receive a fee. These are normally faculty and staff from outside Kean.

Mentor

Faculty who guide, advise, and support inexperienced scholars for the purpose of furthering their careers. They provide a time commitment to mentees, and their training and professional development activities. They often include a diverse cohort

of researchers who represent a variety of disciplines. A small amount of compensation may be included.

Participant

Individuals who are motivated to participate in research. These faculty receive incentives (low value payments) to encourage them to participate in some aspect of a

research project.