Externally funded projects include research, implementation, and training grants. These are typically administered via the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and require at least one member of the project team to possess Principal Investigator (PI) status. Extension faculty automatically have PI status upon hire. However, non-faculty Extension professionals must apply for PI status before taking on efforts coordinated through OSP. You must have PI status prior to applying to a grant opportunity internal or external to Ohio State.
INITIAL TRAINING:
The Office of Research has created a brief (45-minute) online course that provides guidance for Principal Investigators and their staff. The course content covers research administration/compliance processes and tools, explores the lifecycle of sponsored project, and provides access to additional resources. This session is open to all members of the research team. You can access the course via the following steps:
- Log in to http://buckeyelearn.osu.edu.
- Search for “Being a Principal Investigator...” to register.
- Select the course, then follow the prompts to launch this course.
APPLYING FOR PI STATUS:
Step One: Complete training
- Complete the mandatory CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) training to satisfy University Requirements for the Responsible Conduct of Research Training.
- If you are obtaining an IRB protocol for work with Human Subjects you must complete the Human Subject Protection training as well in CITI.
- If you are obtaining an IACUC protocol using animals, you must complete the Animal Usage Orientation and Training in CITI.
- Complete the mandatory e-COI (conflict of interest) on an annual basis.
- Complete the annual mandatory Institutional Data Policy.
- Complete the annual mandatory Intellectual Property Agreement.
You can log in and check your current training status and eligibility at: Lookup PI Status Eligibility – Ohio State. The links here will also direct you to the appropriate training (as above).
Step Two: Initiate request
- Once the above training is completed, prepare a curriculum vita (CV) that illustrates scholarly work completed and in development, as well as experience working on grants including any grant management work.
- Submit CV with a brief email requesting PI status to Terri Fisher in Extension Administration (fisher.456@osu.edu).
Step Three: Department-level approval
- The department chair will review the request and CV as submitted by the applicant and write a request letter (on department letterhead).
- Chair will forward the CV and request letter to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) associate dean for research.
Step Four: College-level approval
- The CFAES associate dean for research will review the application and write a letter of approval.
- The CV, department-level request letter, and CFAES approval letter are submitted to the Ohio State senior associate vice president for research for approval.
Step Five: PI next steps
- The Ohio State Office of Research will forward the final approval letter to the department chair, who will then inform the applicant.
- Before submitting an application for external funding, you must have approved PI status through the university.
Step Six: Submitting a proposal
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with the information found on the CFAES Office for Research and Graduate Education website, such as: available funding opportunities, grant templates, research professional development opportunities, and Workday grant management tips.
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This is also where you will be able to request assistance from the Grant Development Support Unit (GDSU) - click on the “Request Services” button on the right-hand side of the page.
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- Your Sponsored Program Officer (SPO) must approve your budget prior to submission.
- You must complete the university routing form, the ePA-005 pre-approval application for investigators submitting proposals to external sponsors. A budget is required:
- Research Administration Tools - Scroll down on page under "Proposal Development and Submission."
- When you get to the ePA-005 portal, click ‘help’ in the upper right corner for detailed instructions on how to complete the form.
Considering an agreement with a county partner? Begin with the “Initiating a New Project” section at Extension Resources – CFAES Grant Development Support Unit.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Terri Fisher in Extension Administration (fisher.456@osu.edu), Room 3 Ag. Admin. Building.
See also:
Principal Investigator Considerations - Extension
Extension Promotion Blog Entry
Infographic on the grant process for Extension
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Updated – June 2024 by Eric Barrett, Extension Admin/Lori Kaser, GDSU
Updated – July 2020 by Greg Davis, associate director, programs and department chair, OSU Extension
Reviewed – September 2018
Updated – January 2016 by Ken Martin, associate director, programming and department chair, OSU Extension
Revised by Cindy Buxton, Angie LeMaster – April 2015
Updated – July 2012 by OSU Extension Administrative Cabinet