Policies & Compliance
- Research Conduct
- Combatting Human Trafficking
- Federal Disclosure Requirements
- Research Handbook
- 1. Roles & Responsibilities
- 2. Standards for Conduct of Research
- 3. Overview of Sponsored Projects Administration
- 4. Funding Sources & Opportunities
- 5. Proposal Development
- 6. Budget Development
- 7. Procedures for the Submission of Proposals
- 8. Award Acceptance
- 9. Award Management
- 10. Research Related Regulations, Policies & Procedures
- 11. Other Conduct of Research Issues
- 12. Acronyms & Definitions
- 13. Glossary
- Procedure Library
- Regulations Library
Roles & Responsibilities
1.5 Co-Principal Investigator
A Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) is a senior member of the project's leadership team who share responsibiity for the scientific, administrative, and compliance aspects of a sponsored project. Although some sponsors recognize only a single Principal Investigator (PI), many allow the designation of Co-PIs. Regardless of sponsor recognition, the University of Utah identifies and tracks Co-PIs for internal reporting, oversight, and acknowledgement of shared leadership.
Co-PIs are expected to:
- Meet the University's eligibility requirements for PI status, unless otherwise permitted under sponsor guidelines or through an approved exception;
- Share responsibility for project leadership, including contributing substantially to the intellectual direction, design, and execution of the project;
- Participate in administrative and fiscal stewardship, including oversight of budget components, adherence to sponsor terms, and compliance with University and regulatory requirements;
- Collaborate with the PI in ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations (e.g., IRB, IACUC, IBC, safety requirements, data management obligations); and
- Fulfill project obligations within the scope of work assigned to them, including reporting, deliverables, and close-out activities.
The University does not internally track Co-PIs, even when sponsors allow the role. When a collaborator is responsible for a substantial portion of a sponsored project that requires separate administrative oversight, the University may establish a companion project and designate that individual as a Project Executive (PE).
Although the PE designation is an internal administrative role and does not confer PI or Co-PI status, the PE is responsible for managing the scope of work, budget, and compliance obligations associated with their companion project.
