Principal Investigator Eligibility Requirements for IRB Submissions
Individuals who are named as Principal Investigator on NWHSU IRB applications must have sufficient authority, appropriate background, and accountability to oversee all aspects of the research, including assumption of fiscal responsibility.
Note that PI eligibility for IRB submissions is different than for sponsored projects (see table below).
Requirements
To be eligible to be named PI on an NWHSU IRB application, a person must be a faculty member paid by NWHSU with an academic appointment (clinical professor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, assistant scientist, associate scientist, senior scientist or instructor). PI eligibility must be met at the time the application is submitted.
Exceptions
The following individuals may be approved as a PI on IRB applications on a case by case basis by obtaining a letter from the NWHSU academic department head or director assuming responsibility for administrative issues, including all financial matters, and permission from the IRB Chair:
- Other NWHSU employees including licensed medical professionals employed by NWHSU when research activities are within the scope of the individual’s licensure/practice
- NWHSU faculty with affiliated appointments (e.g., emeritus faculty, adjunct faculty) who are not employed by NWHSU
Students
Students may not be named as PI on IRB applications, even if they act as PI on grant applications for funds specifically directed to predoctoral students. The student’s mentor or another individual must meet the requirements for eligibility as PI and be named the PI on associated IRB application.
Summary of Principal Investigator Requirements
Position at NWHSU | Eligible as PI on Grant/Contract/Award? | Eligible as PI on IRB submission? |
---|---|---|
Paid NWHSU faculty member | Yes | Yes |
Affiliated faculty | Yes, with letter from Dept/Institute/Unit | Yes, with letter from Dept/Institute/Unit Director and permission of IRB Chair |
Postdoctoral research fellow |
No R01s | No |
Senior research associate | Yes | No |
Postgraduate resident | Yes | No |
NWHSU licensed medical professionals (research activities within scope of licensure) | Yes | Yes, with letter from Dept/Institute/Unit Director and permission of IRB Chair |
NWHSU employees (research activities within scope of employment) | Yes, with letter from Dept/Institute/Unit Director | Yes, with letter from Dept/Institute/Unit Director and permission of IRB Chair |
Students | Yes for grants/awards specifically directed to predoctoral students | No |