Principal Investigator Responsibilities

The purpose of this policy is to establish criteria that individuals must meet in order to serve in the role of principal investigator or co-principal investigator on a sponsored project and to ensure that sponsored projects are carried out by individuals with the requisite expertise, training, skill, commitment and resources to carry out the project These individuals must have a formal and appropriate employment relationship with Pomona College.

The Principal Investigator must be a full-time employee of Pomona College usually with an academic appointment who becomes eligible under this policy to submit a proposal and subsequently direct this project funded by an external sponsor. Eligibility is contingent upon compliance with all applicable policies of the College and the funding agency and continuation of employment under which eligibility was initially determined. The Principal Investigator has primary responsibility for the proper programmatic, scientific, technical and administrative conduct and reporting of the project.

The Principal Investigator works closely with the Senior Grants Accountant, Director of Sponsored Research, department coordinator, and others as needed to maintain documentation that includes technical and operational data and reports, budget justifications, and appropriate acknowledgements of external support, and to assure compliance with Federal and College requirements. It is understood that the principal investigator will maintain contact with their sponsoring agency’s program officer with regard to the technical progress of the project and operational aspects of the award.