Continuing Contract Faculty as Principal Investigators of Sponsored Projects and Programs

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Continuing Contract Faculty are a distinct and important part of the University academic community and contribute significantly to the University’s academic missions. The University recognizes the contributions Continuing Contract Faculty make to the University’s commitment to teaching excellence, traditional research, and other forms of scholarly and artistic achievement, as well as University service.

As such, Continuing Contract Faculty are deemed eligible to serve as Principal Investigators (PIs)/Project Directors (PDs) on proposals and awards for sponsored programs supporting training; pedagogical and curriculum development; basic, applied and experimental research; and public service and evaluation. Eligibility is also subject to any eligibility requirements of the sponsor in question. Subject to any such sponsor requirements, eligibility should be sought through the Department chair, and with University approval as follows:

1) Continuing Contract Faculty may serve as PI/PD on sponsored project/program proposals and awards for training, pedagogical, and curriculum development with Chair and Dean approval based on affirmation that the faculty member understands and acknowledges responsibility for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and appropriate conduct and fiscal management of sponsored projects and programs in accordance with sponsor and University policies governing the conduct of sponsored programs. No approval from the Vice Provost for Research or designee is necessary. PI status may be conferred upon the faculty member based on the following:

a) the length of the faculty member’s current contract term in effect indicates likelihood that the faculty member will be at NYU long enough to complete the project;
b) a plan is in place for assigning responsibility for the project or program in the event of the faculty member’s departure (voluntary or non-reappointment) from NYU.

2) Continuing Contract Faculty may serve as PI/PD on sponsored project/program proposals and awards for basic, applied, experimental research, public service, and evaluation upon successful completion of the following process:

a) The Department Chair (or Program Director, as applicable) makes a recommendation to the Dean affirming that serving as PI/PD will not impede the faculty member’s ability to fulfill current duties and roles, and is in line with the department's mission.
b) The Department Chair (or Program Director, as applicable) affirms that the faculty member understands and acknowledges responsibility for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and appropriate conduct and fiscal management of sponsored projects and programs in accordance with sponsor and University policies governing the conduct of sponsored programs.
c) The Dean recommends to the Vice Provost for Research in writing (accompanied by the faculty member’s full CV) that PI status be conferred upon the faculty member based on the following:

i. the length of the faculty member’s current contract term in effect indicates likelihood that the faculty member will be at NYU long enough to complete the project;

ii. a commitment to consult with the faculty member about current duties and roles and, if necessary, to make adjustments that will accommodate effort to conduct the research, public service, or evaluation project in compliance with sponsor regulations;

iii. involvement of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students and their roles on the project is assessed, with clear guidelines around the faculty member’s responsibilities for them;

iv. the project or program is additive of the research, public service, or evaluation efforts of the department and congruent with the department's interests;

v. a plan for assigning responsibility for the project or program in the event of the faculty member’s departure (voluntary or non-reappointment) from NYU or for the faculty member’s noncompliance with applicable laws, regulations, sponsor and University policies and regulations; and

vi. a commitment to providing specified department and/or school resources, including new and existing personnel, space, or cost sharing as required for completion of the sponsored project/program.

d) The Vice Provost for Research will authorize PI status in consultation with the Office of Sponsored Programs, who will verify any relevant sponsor PI requirements. The Office of Academic Appointments will verify faculty status.

PI status may be approved without limitation, or for a designated sponsored project/program only.

For questions regarding PI status, contact the School, Unit or osp.agency@nyu.edu