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Principal Investigator Resources

Principal Investigators (PI) play a central role in shaping and stewarding Northwestern’s research enterprise. This page brings together essential guidance, expectations, and campus resources to support PIs across the full lifecycle of a research project — from determining eligibility and preparing proposals to managing awards and meeting compliance responsibilities. Rather than duplicating detailed policies, this hub points you to the right resources and offices at the right time, helping you navigate research administration more efficiently and with confidence.

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Getting Started as a PI

Your Core Responsibilities as a PI

As a Principal Investigator at Northwestern, you are responsible for conducting research in accordance with University, sponsor, and regulatory requirements. The areas below outline your core responsibilities—and where to turn for support.

Integrity and Compliance

PIs are responsible for upholding the highest standards of research integrity and ensuring compliance with all applicable policies and regulations. This includes human subjects protections, animal welfare, data management, conflicts of interest, and responsible conduct of research.

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Financial Stewardship

PIs are accountable for the appropriate use and oversight of sponsored funds. This includes ensuring costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable; monitoring expenditures; and managing project budgets in alignment with sponsor and University policies.

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Oversight Responsibilities

PIs are responsible for the overall leadership of their research projects and teams. This includes supervising personnel, ensuring required training, maintaining safe research environments, and overseeing scientific and administrative progress.

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Reporting Obligations

PIs must ensure timely and accurate submission of all required reports, including technical progress reports, effort certifications, financial reports, and compliance disclosures. Accurate reporting is essential to sponsor trust and continued funding.

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Proposals and Awards: What PIs Need to Know

Research Systems and Tools

Northwestern offers a suite of integrated systems that support the full research lifecycle. These tools help researchers and administrators work efficiently while meeting institutional and regulatory requirements. Most systems require a Northwestern NetID and Duo Multi‑Factor Authentication, and off‑campus access may require the GlobalProtect VPN. Full details and guidance are available on the Research Systems and Tools page. Core platforms include the Research Portal, CERES, eIRB+, and LUMEN.

RESEARCHER SYSTEMS AND DATA RESOURCES

Finding the Right Support

Use the links below to identify the teams and contacts that support your department or research area.

Directory: Who to Contact for Research Support. This table maps specific research needs—from grant budgeting and legal contracts to IRB protocols—to the correct Northwestern administrative office.
Category Primary Support Resource Contact About
Departmental Support Research Administrators Directory Budgeting, grant submissions, and local financial management.
Legal & Agreements Contracts & MTAs (OSR) Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), NDAs, and industry contracts.
Human Research IRB Contacts Protocol submissions, modifications, and human subject protections.
Animal Research IACUC Contacts Animal protocol help, facility access, and veterinary consultations.
Technical Data Research Computing Specialists High-performance computing, data storage, and coding workflows.
Academic Research Library Subject Librarians Literature reviews, open access publishing, and archival searches.

Transferring Your Research to Northwestern

Moving your research enterprise is a significant milestone that requires careful coordination between your outgoing institution and your new home here at Northwestern. To ensure a seamless transition of your funding, physical assets, and intellectual property, we have centralized the most critical steps for transferring your active portfolio below.

Core Research Compliance

Funding and Proposal Development

Identifying and securing funding is often the first step in the research lifecycle. Northwestern provides a robust ecosystem of support units to help you navigate this landscape, from finding the right opportunity to submitting a compliant proposal.

Training Timeline

  • Phase 1

    Mandatory "Day 1" Training

    Before you can begin active research or access certain platforms (like eIRB+ or LUMEN), you must complete these foundational compliance modules, typically hosted in myHR Learn.

  • Phase 2

    Data Security & Safety

    Once your initial compliance is met, ensure your lab environment and data workflows meet University standards.

    • Data Security Basics: Brief modules provided by NUIT on protecting research intellectual property and avoiding phishing.

    • Lab Safety (LUMEN): Specific safety training based on your lab's chemical, biological, or radiological profile.
  • Phase 3

    Skill Development (Optional & Ongoing)

    Northwestern offers continuous learning opportunities.

Frequently Performed Tasks

A one-stop reference mapping common research tasks—such as checking grant balances or updating safety protocols—to the specific Northwestern software platform required.
Action Use this System
Find funding opportunities Information Technology
Submit a federal grant CERES
Submit a proposal Sponsored Research
Transfer my award to Northwestern Sponsored Research
Start a human subjects protocol eIRB+
Update lab safety protocols LUMEN
Request MTA/NDA Sponsored Research
Get access to high‑performance computing Information Technology
Check my grant balance Research Portal
Build a clinical database REDCap