Faculty and staff who direct sponsored projects at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have an important public, as well as personal, responsibility to manage their projects carefully. This manual is intended to help principal investigators and project directors fulfill that responsibility, acquaint them with the policies and procedures of UW-Platteville, inform them of the various services offered by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and serve as a reference and guide for additional information and assistance. While greater emphasis is given to sponsored research, the procedures and policies outlined generally apply to sponsored instructional projects and public service programs.
A part of the mission of the UW-Platteville is to provide higher education, advance knowledge, and contribute to the welfare of the state by accepting funds and entering into agreements with extramural agencies for research and training, including construction and other projects. This is done, only when:
Although the university has established various procedures for initiating and conducting research projects, the primary responsibility for managing the projects is the principal investigator's or project director's. Faculty members are encouraged to seek outside support that will contribute to their basic knowledge and their professional development. This can also be done in collaboration with colleagues in the same department, college, university or at other campuses. The university encourages the close integration of research and instruction and dissemination of research findings.
The terms principal investigator - PI - and project director - PD - are used interchangeably. The PI or PD conceives the research or project, writes and submits the proposal, and carries out the sponsored project in compliance with the terms, conditions and policies of the funding agency and the university. He/she will submit required narrative and technical reports and manage the funds entrusted to him/her. As the person primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the project, this person must be aware of the university and funding agency requirements.
Individuals with tenure or a tenure-track appointments, professor, associate professor, and assistant professor as well as instructional and administrative academic staff may function as a PI or PD. Where special considerations warrant, the Chancellor or a designee may, upon recommendation of the department chair, unit head, dean or director, permit an individual to serve as a PI or PD. The approval is on an individual project basis and is limited to the period covered by the grant.
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, a corporation established under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and charged with administering the university as a public trust, is empowered to accept grants and to make contractual arrangements on behalf of UW-Platteville. All grants of extramural funds for research, training, construction and other activities are grants to the Board of Regents. Committments made under these arrangements are commitments of the Board of Regents. Only an official formally authorized to commit the Board of Regents may enter into formal agreements. UW-Platteville's authorized official is the Provost/Vice Chancellor or designee.
It is policy of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville that the results of research shall be fully communicated. Accordingly, the university does not engage in classified research and will not agree to grant or contract provisions, which either restricts the right of a university employee to publish, release, or otherwise share findings derived from the supported activities. The university recognized that some research may require access to proprietary data and it will permit the sponsor of the research an opportunity to review materials prior to publication and request changes in order to protect proprietary data. The final decision on whether to publish is the PI's. The right of review by the sponsor does not contain a corresponding right of approval. This review period is typically 30 days or less but should not exceed 90 days.
Although the university will agree to receive proprietary information and will exercise best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of this information, it insists such proprietary information be restricted to that which is necessary for the research. It must be clearly marked "proprietary" at the time it is received by the university. Proposed exceptions to this policy, including the negotiation of contracts or agreements covering classified research in the national interest, must be approved by the dean, director, provost or chancellor.