Principal Investigator Responsibilities

The principal investigator is the lead scientist or researcher on a project and is directly responsible for the day-to-day management of research activities, for meeting established timelines, completing the project, and for providing reports and other deliverables to the sponsor as required. Ultimately the PI is responsible for ensuring compliance with all academic, scientific, financial, technical, and administrative aspects of the program 

SJSU Academic Senate policy S18-5 – University Policy, Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity, specifically states that while there may be any number of co-PIs, there must be one individual who is recognized as lead PI and has ultimate responsibility.

During proposal development and submission, the principal investigator is responsible for:

  • Initiating contact with the SJSU Research Foundation in a timely manner,
  • Reading and understanding the funding opportunity guidelines,
  • Complying with SJSU and Research Foundation policies and procedures regarding timelines, development, review, and approval of proposal submissions,
  • Ensuring that all the information in the proposal is presented in a manner that is complete, accurate, and developed according to the practices commonly accepted within the scientific community,
  • Ensuring that all required university and sponsored programs administration forms and certifications are completed in a timely manner,
  • Ensuring that all work and activities will be performed as described in the proposed project if the application is chosen for an award.

Upon receipt of an award, the principal is responsible for:

  • Abiding by the terms and conditions of the sponsored project award,
  • Ensuring that all required university and sponsored programs administration forms and certifications are completed in a timely manner,
  • Ensuring that all work meets the highest ethical standards and is conducted without real or apparent conflicts of interest,
  • Ensuring that all work performed is conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and with CSU, SJSU, and Research Foundation policies,
  • Conducting the work on the project according to research protocol or the statement of work that was submitted with the original proposal or as subsequently modified by the sponsor in agreement with the principal investigator, the university, and the Research Foundation,
  • Managing project personnel in compliance with federal and state laws, as well as university and sponsored programs administration policies,
  • Managing the project budget so that funds are spent in accordance with financial and administrative policies and ensuring timely submission of  expenses for reimbursement,
  • Submitting reports on the research in a timely manner and according to the sponsor's requirements,
  • Managing the retention and storage of all programmatic technical materials and reports in accordance with sponsor or funder guidelines and requirements.