Sponsored Program Eligibility
Any person seeking to lead the conduct of a sponsored program (SP) must meet eligibility requirements of both the sponsor and BMC. Their own department or division may add additional requirements.
Sponsor Requirements
Sponsors have varying criteria for principal investigator/program director (PI/PD) eligibility that should be reviewed carefully by an aspiring PI/PD. Such information should be available in the funding opportunity announcement. When in doubt, consult sponsor personnel directly.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) requirements: The NIH expects BMC's designation of a PI/PD to indicate that they have the "appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct" the awarded SP, "intellectually and logistically." If multiple PI/PDs are named, they are each 100% responsible and accountable (NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS), Glossary).
Specific criteria may vary among individual NIH agencies. For example, the NIH has no overarching stipulation that a PI/PD have United States citizenship, but one of its programs may (NIH Grants Policy Statement, 2.5.4 Determining Eligibility of Individuals).
BMC Requirements
The NIH and other sponsors expect BMC to ensure that the designated PI/PD is able to lead their project and their team scientifically, financially, and administratively.
To meet that expectation and to protect our patients, staff, and institutional reputation, BMC eligibility criteria include regular employment status, training and compliance requirements, and approval by the PI/PD's department chair or section chief. The chair or chief's approval indicates that the department supports the proposed SP and that the PI/PD is able to conduct and complete it.
At present, BMC is formulating an eligibility policy and checklist to guide selection of PI/PDs. When they are available, they will be accessible through this page.
Those new to BMC or to SP administration may consult the SP Primer for more information.