Principal Investigators must possess the appropriate training, experience, and professional qualifications (e.g., degrees, licenses, credentials) to safely conduct and oversee a grant, contract, clinical trial and/or other sponsored project. Individuals who are debarred, disqualified, or otherwise restricted from participation in research or as a recipient of grant funds for research by a federal, state, or other agency may not serve as PI.
To serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on a sponsored project submitted to the HSC Sponsored Projects Office you must be a contract (paid) UNM faculty member who is:
Examples of positions not generally eligible to serve as PI at UNM HSC unless an exception is granted:
Only properly credentialed individuals may engage in any “Greater-than-minimal risk” sponsored research activity or any activity that requires credentialing, unless or until the individual becomes properly licensed and credentialed.
In special instances and with support from the relevant UNM Dean or Department Chair, other members of the UNM community may request approval to serve as PI. The request should be specific to a sponsored project and contain information about the qualifications and capabilities of the individual that would allow the person to perform the duties of a PI. The PI must complete the PI Eligibility Request Form that can be found on the IRB’s website under Study Team, Exceptions to General PI Eligibility: PI Eligibility Request Form
The completed request should be sent to HSC-PreAward@salud.unm.edu and will be reviewed by the Sponsored Projects Office Director and final consideration provided by the Vice President for Research.
For Principal Investigators participating in clinical studies involving medical/clinical interventions or investigational agents, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection Officer website: HRPO for Clinical Research
At this stage, the PI will be preparing the content for their proposal. The sponsor may required a pre-application, white paper, or pre-proposal. This allows the sponsor to review the ideas they may want to fund. If the sponsor likes your idea, they will then invite you to submit a full proposal. However, there are instances in which your pre-submission is exactly what they are looking for and they will fund based on the pre-submission.
SPO generally does not review pre-submissions unless the sponsor has asked you to also provide a budget and/or the sponsor instructions state they may award upon pre-submission. Please use the following guidance to ensure proper process when submitting a pre-submission.
Limited Competition Definition: A limited competition opportunity is a funding opportunity where the sponsor restricts the number of applications an institution may submit. Because of this limit, the institution conducts an internal selection process to determine which proposal(s) will be submitted to the sponsor.
Internal Competition Definition: An HSC internal competition (no extramural funds) is a funding opportunity in which the Health Sciences Center uses institutional (internal) funds to support projects. Applications are reviewed and selected within HSC, and no external sponsor funding is involved.
Limited Competitions & HSC Internal Funding Opportunities
Limited competition submissions and HSC internal funding opportunities are not managed or reviewed by the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO). These services are coordinated through the Office of Research Development (RDO).
SPO involvement begins only if a full proposal is selected for submission to an external sponsor. If a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a detailed budget is required prior to submitting the application, please submit to HSC-preaward@salud.unm.edu .
PI/Dept find funding announcement to respond to. PI/Dept initiate review and approval process through Click ERA.
SPO High Level Submission Process
New Mexico Anti-Donation & Grant vs. Gift
This guidance is used to help determine whether you are receiving a grant or a gift. It also explains why anti-donation needs to be considered when collaborating with others.
Do I submit through the UNM Foundation or HSC Sponsored Projects Office?
If you are new to NIH funding, the guide above will assist you with grant submission options. It also provides tips in applying to NIH.
SPO receives notice from the Sponsor your project may be awarded. Documents that may be required at this stage include Updated Other Support and Key Personnel, Human Subjects Certification, Subcontracting Plan from Purchasing (if contract is over $500k), and revised budget.
Once a Notice of Award is received or a contract is executed, SPO will ensure all internal compliance have been adhered to and award the project in Click ERA. If you have subawards on your projects, SPO will contact the Department with any questions regarding updated SOW and revised budget. Once they receive, they will initiate the Subaward.
Principal Investigators must possess the appropriate training, experience, and professional qualifications (e.g., degrees, licenses, credentials) to safely conduct and oversee a grant, contract, clinical trial and/or other sponsored project. Individuals who are debarred, disqualified, or otherwise restricted from participation in research or as a recipient of grant funds for research by a federal, state, or other agency may not serve as PI.
To serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on a sponsored project submitted to the HSC Sponsored Projects Office you must be a contract (paid) UNM faculty member who is:
Examples of positions not generally eligible to serve as PI at UNM HSC unless an exception is granted:
Only properly credentialed individuals may engage in any “Greater-than-minimal risk” sponsored research activity or any activity that requires credentialing, unless or until the individual becomes properly licensed and credentialed.
In special instances and with support from the relevant UNM Dean or Department Chair, other members of the UNM community may request approval to serve as PI. The request should be specific to a sponsored project and contain information about the qualifications and capabilities of the individual that would allow the person to perform the duties of a PI. The PI must complete the PI Eligibility Request Form that can be found on the IRB’s website under Study Team, Exceptions to General PI Eligibility: PI Eligibility Request Form
The completed request should be sent to HSC-PreAward@salud.unm.edu and will be reviewed by the Sponsored Projects Office Director and final consideration provided by the Vice President for Research.
For Principal Investigators participating in clinical studies involving medical/clinical interventions or investigational agents, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection Officer website: HRPO for Clinical Research
At this stage, the PI will be preparing the content for their proposal. The sponsor may required a pre-application, white paper, or pre-proposal. This allows the sponsor to review the ideas they may want to fund. If the sponsor likes your idea, they will then invite you to submit a full proposal. However, there are instances in which your pre-submission is exactly what they are looking for and they will fund based on the pre-submission.
SPO generally does not review pre-submissions unless the sponsor has asked you to also provide a budget and/or the sponsor instructions state they may award upon pre-submission. Please use the following guidance to ensure proper process when submitting a pre-submission.
Limited Competition Definition: A limited competition opportunity is a funding opportunity where the sponsor restricts the number of applications an institution may submit. Because of this limit, the institution conducts an internal selection process to determine which proposal(s) will be submitted to the sponsor.
Internal Competition Definition: An HSC internal competition (no extramural funds) is a funding opportunity in which the Health Sciences Center uses institutional (internal) funds to support projects. Applications are reviewed and selected within HSC, and no external sponsor funding is involved.
Limited Competitions & HSC Internal Funding Opportunities
Limited competition submissions and HSC internal funding opportunities are not managed or reviewed by the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO). These services are coordinated through the Office of Research Development (RDO).
SPO involvement begins only if a full proposal is selected for submission to an external sponsor. If a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a detailed budget is required prior to submitting the application, please submit to HSC-preaward@salud.unm.edu .
PI/Dept find funding announcement to respond to. PI/Dept initiate review and approval process through Click ERA.
SPO High Level Submission Process
New Mexico Anti-Donation & Grant vs. Gift
This guidance is used to help determine whether you are receiving a grant or a gift. It also explains why anti-donation needs to be considered when collaborating with others.
Do I submit through the UNM Foundation or HSC Sponsored Projects Office?
If you are new to NIH funding, the guide above will assist you with grant submission options. It also provides tips in applying to NIH.
SPO receives notice from the Sponsor your project may be awarded. Documents that may be required at this stage include Updated Other Support and Key Personnel, Human Subjects Certification, Subcontracting Plan from Purchasing (if contract is over $500k), and revised budget.
Once a Notice of Award is received or a contract is executed, SPO will ensure all internal compliance have been adhered to and award the project in Click ERA. If you have subawards on your projects, SPO will contact the Department with any questions regarding updated SOW and revised budget. Once they receive, they will initiate the Subaward.
MSC09 5220
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Physical Location:
1650 University Blvd NE
Second Floor, Suite 2200
Phone: (505) 272-9383
Fax: (505) 272-0159
hsc-preaward@salud.unm.edu
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm