Principal Investigator Eligibility at the 91ɫƵ
A Principal Investigator, or PI, has overall responsibility for the conduct of a research project.
Criteria for Principal Investigators
Who Can Serve As A Principal Investigator
91ɫƵ defines an Investigator as any individual who:
- Leads or directs a research project involving human subjects
- Performs activities that engage 91ɫƵ, Froedtert Hospital or Versiti in anyone else’s research project
- Uses 91ɫƵ, Froedtert Hospital or Versiti resources; including lab equipment, physical space, or services
- Brings research data onto the campus (91ɫƵ, Froedtert Hospital or Versiti space)
- Performs any research activity on 91ɫƵ, Froedtert Hospital or Versiti campus
A Principal Investigator has overall responsibility for the conduct of a research project, including all technical, programmatic, financial, compliance and administrative aspects. The Principal Investigator is responsible for controlling the technical direction and academic quality of the project, and will ensure that the project is carried out in compliance with the terms, conditions, and policies of the College and the Sponsor when applicable.
PI Education & Training Requirements
All 91ɫƵ/Froedtert Hospital Investigators must complete required training prior to submission of a research project for review and approval to the 91ɫƵ/Froedtert Hospital IRB. Investigators are required to remain up-to-date with required training to continue to conduct research at 91ɫƵ/Froedtert Hospital.
The following training is required for Principal Investigators:
91ɫƵ Certification Program (CITI)
- Initial - Everyone involved in the design, conduct, or review of human research carried out by 91ɫƵ faculty, CTSI faculty and Froedtert nurses investigators at any location or reviewed by 91ɫƵ/Froedtert Hospital IRBs or another authorized IRB must obtain CITI certification. CITI certification is obtained by completing the required online modules with an overall score of 80%. The initial CITI course can be completed in four to six hours. Six CME credits are available from CITI.
- Annual - Additional human subject protection education is required each year for investigators and coordinators. 91ɫƵ investigators and coordinators must obtain three hours of human subject protection education annually. Non 91ɫƵ members of the research team must obtain one hour of human subject protection education annually.
- Refresher – In order to maintain CITI certification, completion of the CITI Refresher course every three (3) years after initial certification is required. Completion of the refresher modules can usually be completed in less than two hours.
Research Banks at 91ɫƵ and Froedtert Hospital: IRB Training for Bank Personnel
Required for Bank Custodians who have access to the bank database, solicits subject consent for banking, or has record-keeping or administration responsibility for a bank.
Shipping Infectious Materials
Required for anyone shipping infectious materials, blood, lab samples, dry ice, etc.
For research supported by or required to follow a Department of Defense addendum:
For initial and continuing research, ethics education must be completed by all personnel who conduct, review, approve, oversee or manage human subject research. In support of this Investigators should complete 91ɫƵ DoD human research module.
The following training opportunities are recommended but not required:
- eBridge – Human Research Training
- Human Subject Protections 2007
- IRB Open House – Held monthly
- Human Research Professionals Monthly Meeting
- Human Research Orientation Series
- Core Curriculum: Education for Human Research Team Members
For additional eligibility requirements, review the IRB SOP: Requirements & Qualifications to Serve as a Principal Investigator