Q1: If I want to apply to a foundation, do I work with the research or philanthropy team?
Q2: If I want to apply for an industry-sponsored investigator-initiated clinical trial, whom should I work with?
Q3: What is the difference between the roles of a PI, co-PI, Contract PI, co-I, Collaborator, and Other Significant Contributor (OSC)?
Q4: What is the difference between a Collaborator and a Consultant?
Q5: What is the definition of cost sharing, and how does it differ from those of cost matching and in-kind funding?
Q6: What kinds of documents need to be submitted for approval? Letters of intent? Pre-applications? What about technical reports?

Q1: If I want to apply to a foundation, do I work with the research or philanthropy team?
If the application involves research, work with the research grants team.

Q2: If I want to apply for an industry-sponsored investigator-initiated clinical trial, whom should I work with?
Contact the research grants team to secure funding; work with your Research Manager/Director to develop the research project and ensure feasibility.

Q3: What is the difference between the roles of a PI, co-PI, Contract PI, co-I, Collaborator, and Other Significant Contributor (OSC)?

• A PI has ultimate responsibility for a sponsored research project. For multi-PI projects, this responsibility is shared equally among a set of PIs. Defense agencies and NSF refer to each such leader as a co-PI, but NIH and other DHHS agencies do not recognize this term. The first PI listed on the application manages communication with the agency and is referred to as the “Contact PI” (not to be confused with Contract or Site PI).
• A Contract PI (or Site PI) is the key person ultimately responsible for a subward. For a multi-PI application, the Contract PI may also be a PI for the overall project, but this not always the case.
• The terms co-I and Collaborator are often used interchangeably for contributors playing an active role in the research. There are no cut and dry rules, but according to NIH, the role of co-I is often used for an investigator who shares the same areas of expertise as the PI and that of Collaborator for a researcher with complementary expertise. Co-Is are always key; Collaborators are usually key, depending on the use of the term.
• At NIH and other HHS agencies, Other Significant Contributor means someone who contributes to scientific development but does not commit a specific amount of time to a project. For these non-key persons, effort is indicated as “zero person months" or "as needed."

Q4: What is the difference between a collaborator and a consultant?
A Collaborator is a salaried employee of an institution participating in a sponsored project and usually a key person. Consultants provide advice or services and may participate significantly in the research, but are not salaried. They are usually compensated by the hour or day. Consultants are key only if they contribute substantively and measurably to the scientific development or execution of the project.

Q5: What is the definition of cost sharing, and how does it differ from those of cost matching and in-kind funding?
Although often used interchangeably, cost sharing refers to the general situation in which a grantee or third party bears some project costs, and the more specific term cost matching refers sponsor-mandated cost sharing. In-kind means a cost share comprised of other than cash or contributed by a third-party. Cost sharing increases audit risk, and in-kind cost shares can be especially challenging to quantify. Generally, Ochsner should not commit to cost share a project unless required by the sponsor—and no such commitment should be made without institutional approval secured through the grants team.

Q6: What kinds of documents need to be submitted for approval? Letters of intent? Pre-applications? What about technical reports?
If a document contains any financial information—including the total amount requested or a list of current and pending awards, then the document must be approved through the grants office before being submitted. When in doubt, ask! We will work with you to meet your deadline.