Project Period – GCO
The total time interval for which an extramural funding agency has approved the project. For NIH sponsored projects, it includes the initial competitive segment, any subsequent competitive segments, and extensions.
Budget Period – GCO
The interval of time, generally 12 months, into which a project period is divided for budgetary and funding purposes. Many times a budget period may also correspond with an IRB or IACUC approval period. Since they are not interchangeable, a PI must track different periods for reporting purposes.
Other Terms: Increment
Sponsor – GCO
A term that has a range of meanings that are used in different research contexts. It can mean extramural funding agency in sponsored project administration, IND or IDE holder in FDA regulated research, as well as mentor of a fellowship.
Research – GCO
For purposes of application and registration with the GCO, research is defined as systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities meet this definition, even when the overall purpose is not primarily research, but may include training, demonstration, or service programs.
Competitive Renewal Application – GCO
An application requesting additional funding for a period subsequent to that provided by a current award. A renewal application competes with all other applications and must be developed as fully as though the applicant is applying for the first time.
Example: Your award, which was funded for 5 years is coming to an end. You are applying for 5 additional years to continue the research.
Other Terms: Renewal (NIH), Competing Continuation
Mentor – GCO
An individual who guides, advises, and provides feedback on the applicant’s research and professional development. The NIH sometimes refers to mentors as sponsors.
Other Term: Sponsor
Multiple Principal Investigator/Project Director (NIH) – GCO
A term only used by the NIH and other funding agencies in which it is explicitly stated in their policy. Multiple PI/PD awards are an opportunity for multidisciplinary efforts and collaboration through a team of scientists under a single grant award. All PI/PDs share equally the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PI/PD is responsible and accountable to the applicant organization, or as appropriate to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of all required reports. The presence of more than one PI/PD on an application or award diminishes neither the responsibility nor the accountability of any individual PI/PD.
Other Terms: MPI, MPD
New Application – GCO
An application that is being submitted to an agency, or if unfunded, to the GCO for the first time.
Example: You are submitting a brand new project to the NIH or other funding agency.
Co-Principal Investigator (NSF) – GCO
A term only used by the NSF and other funding agencies in which it is explicitly stated in their policy. NIH does not allow use of this term or recognize this status. The NSF definition is as follows: “… the individual(s) designated by the proposer, and approved by NSF, who will be responsible for the scientific or technical direction of the project. NSF does not infer any distinction in scientific stature among multiple PIs, whether referred to as PI or co-PI. If more than one, the first one listed will serve as the contact PI, with whom all communications between NSF program officials and the project relating to the scientific, technical, and budgetary aspects of the project should take place. The PI and any identified co-PIs, however, will be jointly responsible for submission of the requisite project reports.
Other Term: Co-PI
Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Director (PD) – GCO
The individual designated by ISMMS to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct the project. All full-time, part-time, emeritus, and voluntary faculty of ISMMS and its affiliates are eligible to serve as PIs. Other professional staff, who hold titles typically associated with independent work, and whose appointments are subject to a rigorous review of credentials, may also serve as a PI. All PIs must have the approval of their departments indicated by the Chair’s and/or Departmental Administrator’s electronic signature via InfoEd.
Other Terms: PI, PD