HSRD Multi-PI Eligibility Policy (updated June 2012).doc

Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D)

Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) Eligibility Policy

Originally Implemented February 2008

Updated June 2012

Purpose

This HSR&D Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) policy:

o Recognizes that research projects can be particularly complex, requiring substantial 

levels of commitment by investigators with distinct knowledge, skills, and experience;

o Encourages investigator collaboration that importantly strengthens the conduct of 

research and substantially improves the likelihood of project success;

o Assigns a title to investigators appropriate to time allocation and responsibilities;

o Encourages medical center leadership to provide the protected time necessary to 

perform the research; and

o Supports investigator academic recognition and advancement.

The MPI policy defines the eligibility criteria designed to appropriately designate multiple 

individuals as PIs on a single research project, and who share the authority and responsibility 

for leading and directing project activities, intellectually and logistically. Accepted Principal 

Investigators (PI) will be responsible and accountable to HSR&D and VHA for the proper 

conduct of the approved project, including the submission of all required reports. The approval 

of more than one identified PI on a project application does not diminish the accountability of 

any individual PI to HSR&D and VA. Each PI must demonstrate the appropriate level of 

authority and responsibility to direct the project supported by research funding to be 

considered a PI. The following policy details describe criteria and procedures to apply for MPI 

status on a single research effort. 

Policy

Criteria for identifying more than one investigator as PI on a single research application 

include: the contribution of critically important, well defined, non-overlapping intellectual skills; 

distinct project responsibilities and substantial percent effort; and the needs of the research 

team and project (for example, size, location, disciplines, and structure of the research team, 

and/or the interdisciplinary nature of the project). One PI on a MPI application shall be 

designated the Corresponding PI. 

The Director, HSR&D (in collaboration with the Director of another ORD Service, if the project 

involves more than one Service) will approve / disapprove the MPI application, with the advice 

of the study’s peer review committee. The request for MPI status will be considered during the 

peer review process for the project itself, and administratively by ORD staff and the 

Director(s). This will only be addressed for those applications that attain a fundable review 

score. 

General Administrative Issues

This revised MPI policy applies only to newly submitted, merit reviewed Investigator Initiated 

Research (IIR), Service Directed Research (SDR) and QUERI Service Directed Projects 

(SDP) at single or multi-site locations. 

Each PI of a MPI project must meet VA eligibility criteria according to requirements in VHA 

Handbook 1200.15, HSR&D Handbook 1204.1 and merit proposal application instructions at: 

http://www.research.va.gov/resources/policies/by_number.cfm and 

http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/funding/default.cfm (see How to Apply) 
HSRD Multi-PI Eligibility Policy (updated June 2012).doc

MPI projects must be submitted through NIH eRA grants.gov, prepared according to the 

instructions at http://vaww.research.va.gov/funding/docs/VA-SF424_RR_Guide.doc. 

The Corresponding PI will change only upon submission and approval of a Project 

Modification.

Multiple-PI Leadership Plan

A Leadership Plan must be included in a MPI application. The rationale for choosing an MPI approach 

must be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the 

research project should be described, including communication plans, process for making decisions 

on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, 

and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for each of the PIs and 

other collaborators. The Corresponding PI: is responsible for communicating with HSR&D staff about 

project-related scientific, administrative, and ethical issues; is the point of contact for communications 

from VACO; and is responsible for disseminating communications from VACO to the other PI(s) and 

project staff.

It is not appropriate for individuals who would normally be listed as co-investigators to be elevated to 

PI status. The multiple-PI option is reserved for team science efforts, explained and justified in the 

Leadership Plan in the application in a clear and convincing manner. (HSR&D does not recognize the 

“co-PI” designation.) HSR&D does not intend or expect co-investigators to be routinely elevated to PI 

status. Each PI must have a defined role on the project and must provide a convincing case that 

he/she will function as a part of the leadership team. PIs must share responsibility for the scientific 

and technical direction of the project as a whole, and remain accountable for the proper conduct of the 

project or activity. Serving as a site PI on a multi-site project is not in itself sufficient justification for 

being considered under a multiple PI arrangement, but it could be a factor if that person also brings 

unique and essential skills to the project (for example, designing and overseeing analysis for a major 

component of the study) and has a substantial role in conception and design for the overall project.

Sample MPI Table that Summarizes PI Responsibilities:

Tabular Summary of Distinguishing and Shared PI Responsibilities

MPI Name 

& Degree1

LocationStation #FTEE on 

Project

Distinguishing 

Responsibilities

Shared Responsibilities Other Comments

[MPI #1]*

[MPI #2]

* Indicates the Corresponding PI
HSRD Multi-PI Eligibility Policy (updated June 2012).doc

MPI Organizational Chart

Multiple PI #1

(corresponding PI)

Multiple PI #2

ACOS R&D 

Location #2

Distinguishing 

Responsibilities

(e.g., Statistical 

Analyses)

Distinguishing 

Responsibilities

(e.g., Questionnaiire 

Development and 

Administration)

Project 

Consultants

Co-Investigators

and Project Staff

Co-Investigators 

and Project Staff

ACOS R&D 

Location #1

HSR&D

Shared 

Responsibilities