Stony Brook University Office of Proposal Development

NIH Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan Resource

Version 001, Updated 01/17/2023

MULTIPLE PD/PI LEADERSHIP PLAN

SF 424 (R&R) - Version H

It is important to understand that the NIH and other Public Health Service agencies do not recognize a “Co-PI”

category. Applicants should not have any misunderstandings regarding the appropriateness of proposing

multiple PD/PIs for a single project. In NIH eyes, a Co-PI is not the same as an MPI. MPIs have equal

responsibility, accountability, and authority towards the direction of a single project. Yet, while these MPIs may

be at multiple institutions, the investigators and applicant/awardee institution (associated with the Contact PI

named first - followed by other PI names in alphabetical order - in the application) makes the decision on

whether to submit as a single or MPI project.

Each MPI project is reviewed as a single project. Projects are to be managed via the traditional consortium and

subaward arrangements. The distinction between an MPI versus single PI applications is that MPI applications

specific funding opportunity announcement (FOA) when completing the Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan

attachment.

1) Describe the rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach.

2) Describe the governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project,

including:

3) The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be

in the introduction to application attachment and include the required Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan.

Renewal Applications: For renewal applications changing from a single PD/PI to multiple PD/PIs, changing

the number or makeup of the multiple PD/PIs, the applicant must provide a rationale for the change in the

progress report within the research strategy and include the required Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan.

Use of URLs and hyperlinks in this attachment is not allowed unless specified in the FOA.

Stony Brook University Office of Proposal Development

NIH Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan Resource

Version 001, Updated 01/17/2023

Multiple Principal Investigators FAQs

Visit this FAQs page for answers to frequently asked questions about Multiple Principle Investigators.

Considerations for a Multiple PD/PI Application

This NIAID-provided resource outlines tips and considerations for writing a strong Multiple PI Leadership Plan.

Examples of Project Leadership Plans for Multiple PI Grant Applications

This NIH-provided resource includes multiple examples of Leadership Plans for single project applications (i.e.,

R01, R21, etc.).