Definitions

Principal Investigator

The one individual designated by the applicant organization to direct the project or program to be supported by the grant. The principal investigator is responsible and accountable to applicant organization officials for the proper conduct of the project or program.

Key Personnel

In addition to the principal investigator, Key Personnel are defined as individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of the project in a substantive, measurable way, whether or not salaries are requested.  Typically, these individuals have doctoral or other professional degrees, although individuals at the masters or baccalaureate level should be included if their involvement meets the definition of Key Personnel. Consultants should also be included if they meet the definition of Key Personnel. Key Personnel must devote measurable effort to the project whether or not salaries are requested--"zero percent" effort or "as needed" are not acceptable levels for those designated as Key Personnel.

Other Significant Contributors

This category identifies individuals who have committed to contribute to the scientific development or execution of the project, but are not committing any specified measurable effort to the projects. These individuals are typically presented at "zero percent" effort or "as needed" (individuals with measurable effort cannot be listed as Other Significant Contributors). Consultants should be included if they meet this definition. This would also be an appropriate designation for mentors on Career awards.

Co-Investigator (Collaborator)

An individual involved with the principal investigator in the scientific development or execution of the project. These individuals would typically devote a specific percent effort to the project and would be identified as key personnel. The individual(s) may be appointed by, or affiliated with, either the grantee organization or an organization participating in the project under a consortium or contractual agreement.

Consultant

An individual hired to give professional advice or services for a fee, normally not as an employee of the hiring party and is not actively involved on a regular basis or involved in the actual tests or experiments of the research project.  A former UC employee must be off of UC payroll for complete year before that person can be considered as a "Consultant" to a UC grant.

Consortium or Contractual Agreement

An agreement whereby a research project is carried out by the grantee and one or more other organizations that are separate legal entities. In this arrangement, the grantee contracts for the performance of a substantial and/or significant portion of the activities to be conducted under the grant. These arrangements typically involve a specific percent of effort from the consortium organization's principal investigator and a categorical breakdown of costs, such as personnel, supplies, and other allowable expenses, including Facilities and Administrative Costs.

Resource Person

An individual, typically employed by the University, who is functioning in an advisory capacity.  This person does not have effort and will be known as an Other Significant Contributor (on NIH grants).

Scope of Work (Workscope)

Every subcontract must include a scope of work statement. The following elements are typically included under "scope of work", however these are not all-inclusive: 1. Purpose or objective(s) of the work to be performed; 2. An explanation of the work to be performed inclusive of special personnel, supplies, materials, equipment or travel needed; 3. Specification of how the work's progress or results are to be measured; 4. Identification of deliverables, products, or expected outcomes.