MESA STATE COLLEGE

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
AND PROJECT DIRECTORS

I. Introduction

Faculty and authorized professional staff at Mesa State College (MSC) are encouraged to seek and obtain external financial support for research, scholarship, creative activities, training and instructional projects that further the mission of MSC. These sponsored projects serve to expand the educational opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students at MSC, support research activities, encourage scholarly inquiry and the development of new knowledge, and enhance the academic structure of MSC and its ability to fulfill its responsibilities to the State of Colorado and the nation.

Research at MSC includes explorations that lead to the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, the development of new applications of existing knowledge, the development of new paradigms for teaching and learning, and/or the related creative activities in the fine arts.

II. Statement

The primary responsibilities for the origination, development, and preparation of proposals rests with the Principal Investigator/Project Director (PI/PD). All proposals must be germane to the interests and/or expertise of the PI/PD,
be truthful and accurate in their content, and not contain plagiarized materials or research data that has been fabricated or falsified. When awards for successful proposals are made to MSC, the PI/PD is responsible for, and held accountable for, the technical administrative and fiscal management of the project including responsibility for any applicable subcontracts.

III. Responsibilities

The PI/PD must:

A. Be knowledgeable, at the proposal stage, about appropriate agency, MSC, System, State, and Federal guidelines and regulations relative to the conduct of research, training, and public service programs and be willing to adhere to such guidelines and regulations, including but not limited to Intellectual Property, Animal Care and Use, Human Subjects, Biosafety, Radiation Safety, Recombinant DNA, NSF/PHS Investigator Financial Disclosure, Misconduct in Science, Data Retention, Proprietary Data, Property Control, or Regulated Substances;

B. Conduct the work supported by the grant or contract in a timely and professional manner;

C. Comply with the specific terms and conditions of each award as stated in the contract or grant documents and with all administrative requirements as set forth in all applicable MSC, System, State, and Federal regulations;

D. Assure that expenditures made prior to the receipt of a fully executed contract or grant award are incurred only after obtaining specific authorized approval;

E. Ensure that all costs charged to the grant or contract specifically benefit the project and are allowable per the terms and conditions of the award;

F. Maintain budgetary control by reconciling the account on a monthly basis including signing and dating the reconciliation report, and taking immediate action to resolve errors or discrepancies noted during the report reconciliation and to follow up to ensure the errors are corrected. If a grant or contract is over-expended, or if an unauthorized expenditure is disallowed by the auditors, the PI/PD is responsible for clearing the expenditure either through transferring the charge to another allowable account or by personally reimbursing MSC;

G. Ensure that all cost sharing and/or matching fund commitments set forth in the award are met and documented;

H. Comply with the reporting requirements of each contract and grant which may include periodic technical progress reports, annual technical reports, reports of inventions, reports of publications generated, and financial reporting requirements. Although the Controller or his/her designee is responsible for the preparation and submission of the financial report, the PI/PD must review and approve the financial report;

I. Ensure that any subcontractors comply with the terms and conditions of each subcontract and with the reporting requirements passed down to them;

J. Acknowledge sponsor funding in support of related publications and presentations;

K. Keep and maintain on campus all research or programmatic records, including human subject consent forms, lab records, primary data, correspondence, notes, reports, samples, specimens, computer programs, and publications;

L. Provide oversight of all persons working on the project, including visiting scientists, trainees, post docs, students, and other staff to ensure that they follow proper laboratory and research procedures, understand and comply with all applicable rules and regulations, and adhere to high ethical standards in carrying out the project; and,

M. Keep and maintain on campus all research or programmatic records conducted or produced by themselves, their staff or students in the course of the grant or contract for the period required by the audit retention clause of the award.

 

Office of Sponsored Programs
Mesa State College
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone: (970)-248-1424
Fax: (970)-248-1076