Multiple Principal Investigators

Project Leadership Plan for NIH Applications

When the Multiple PI option is used, the participating PIs must develop a Project Leadership Plan for inclusion in the grant application. The leadership plan must include the following:

Rationale for selecting the Multiple PI option
Roles/areas of responsibility of each PI and Working relationship of the PIs
An explanation of Fiscal and Management coordination
Decision making process on scientific direction and resource allocation
Acknowledgement of how intellectual property and publication will be addressed
Data sharing and communication among PIs and other personnel
Procedures for resolving conflicts

The University of Iowa suggests the following language for the intellectual property and conflict resolution portions of the leadership plan:

Suggested UI Intellectual Property Language: Authorship will be determined in accordance with generally acceptable practices, and based on the relative scientific contributions of the research team members. PIs will follow the intellectual property policies and practices of their respective institutions, with support and assistance from the applicable technology transfer office(s). Inventorship will be determined in accordance with U.S. (international, if applicable) patent law.

Suggested UI Conflict Resolution Language: PIs shall meet to discuss resolution of the conflict. If they are unable to resolve the conflict, standard University procedures for resolving any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to a subaward will be followed.

Sample leadership plans are available on the NIH website.