What’s the difference between a PD/PI, Multiple PI, a Co-PI, a Co-Investigator, and an Application PI?
PD/PI: Program Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI) – When an individual has full responsibility & authority for the project.
Multiple PI and Co-PI: Some sponsors use the term Co-PI or Multiple PI to indicate the role has equal responsibility and authority as the lead PI (NIH uses the term Multiple PI, and NSF uses the term Co-PI). While other sponsors use the term to represent that the individual has more authority than a co-investigator but not equal authority as the PI/PD (USDA). Some sponsors use the term to represent an alternative title for a non-lead PI on a multi-PI project. Not all sponsors use this role.
Co-investigators or Co-I: This title is used to indicate the individual makes significant contributions, but does not have overall responsibility and authority for the project. They are NOT considered PD/PIs.
Application PI: This is a SAGE role type on the PI & Personnel page, when PI on sponsor application differs from the UW PI on the eGC1.
Other Resources:
- Personnel: Investigators
- When should a PI be designated as a Multiple PI?
- When should a PI be designated as an Application PI?
- Who is considered an investigator and needs to disclose Significant Financial Interest (SFI)?
SAGE Support:
- Multiple PI
- Application PI
- SAGE ASTRA Researchers Roles : Non-PI Eligible Researcher and Researcher Requiring Faculty Sponsor can provide necessary basic access in SAGE for Application PIs.
Updated 8/31/2020