A Principal Investigator (PI) or Project Director is the individual with primary responsibility for the design, conduct and reporting of a research project.
A. Roles and Responsibilities of Principal Investigators/Project Directors
- Develop the proposal narrative and project budget.
- Complete a Proposal Endorsement Form and Conflict of Interest Form to accompany a draft statement of work and budget to begin the internal review process.
- Participate in negotiation of the grant award or contract as appropriate.
- Participate in a meeting to establish a formal project account at the Controller's Office, plan and initiate campus notification of the award, credit and acknowledge funder in all publicity and dissemination.
- Comply with Bowdoin College's appropriate policies and procedures including ethical conduct, financial conflict of interest, scientific misconduct, intellectual property, the use of human subjects in research, animal welfare, and subcontractor oversight.
- Comply with state and federal regulations and institutional policies and procedures including those related to human resource management, procurement, travel, and safety.
- Responsibly manage project funds, including expending funds within the project period and within designated budget categories.
- Request budget modifications and no-cost extensions through Sponsored Research Programs.
- Complete and submit required reports according to award terms and conditions.
- Provide documentation of grant/contract expenditures and matching contributions to the Controller’s Office in a timely manner.
Sponsored Research Programs helps faculty identify grant opportunities, submit proposals, and ensure non-financial compliance.
A. Responsibilities of Sponsored Research Programs
- Lead administrative contact for subawards and other third party grants.
- Provide leadership, guidance and necessary support for faculty development of research projects and in the preparation and submission of applications for funding.
- Coordinate the grant application and administration approvals from the Controller's Office, Academic Departments, and College Administration.
- Monitor and interpret for use at Bowdoin College all relevant regulations and practices associated with federal, state, local, and private funding sources.
- Provide troubleshooting assistance and intervention for all aspects of grant application and post-award administration.
- Assist the principal investigator/project director as necessary in preparing the proposal, with particular emphasis on technical aspects of the project, the budget (as it relates to the business unit's budget and faculty/staff effort), and with special attention to proposed protocols involving human subjects or the use of animals in research.
- Consult with the principal investigator/project director as necessary to ensure that work on the sponsored project is progressing satisfactorily.
- For sponsored projects involving human subjects, the use of animals in research, or the use of biohazards, coordinate oversight with respective research integrity committee to ensure compliance with governmental regulations and institutional and professional standards.
- To the extent necessary, assist the principal investigator/project director in completing and submitting technical reports on time.
The Senior VP and Dean for Academic Affairs authorizes all proposed budgets and activities and the submission of faculty research proposals. The senior vice president and dean for academic affairs is one of two Authorized Institutional Officials for the College.
- Encourage faculty and staff to seek external funding for research, curriculum development, training, and service projects.
- Serve as a mentor for junior faculty and faculty and staff members who have not had extensive experience in seeking and managing external funds.
- Assess departmental or unit personnel needs in light of grant and contract activity and approving faculty and staff effort proposed for the project.
- Assist the principal investigator/project director in identifying source(s) of matching funds (cash and in-kind) if required by the sponsor.
- Approve the principal investigator's/project director's request to the sponsoring agency via signature on the Proposal Endorsement Form.
- As necessary, participate in negotiation of a grant or contract.
- In the event of audit exceptions, disallowances, or over-expenditures, seek the provision of funds from departmental, division or college sources (or securing them from some other source) to correct negative sponsored project account balance.
The Senior VP for Finance and Administration & Treasurer authorizes subaward and contractual agreements binding your grant-funded project to another institution. The senior vice president for finance and administration & treasurer is one of two Authorized Institutional Officials for the College.
The Post-Award Grants and Contracts Senior Financial Analyst in the Controller’s Office works with the principal investigator to ensure accurate financial administration of the grant and compliance with federal regulations.
- Prepare financial reporting to be submitted with technical reports.
- Assist the principal investigator/project director as necessary in managing project funds.
- Monitor as necessary to ensure that funds are expended within the project period and that budget categories are not exclusively overspent.