Welcome back to MicroLearning Mondays, our biweekly series of bite-sized research administration trainings brought to you by the Department of Contracts and Grants.
This week’s topic: Principal Investigator Eligibility: Guidelines for USC Researchers
Why It Matters: Understanding who can serve as a Principal Investigator is essential for ensuring proposals meet both USC’s internal requirements and external sponsor rules. Submitting a proposal with an ineligible PI can lead to delays, requests for corrections, or even outright rejection by the sponsor. By clarifying PI eligibility up front, you help protect your department’s timeline, reduce administrative burden, and safeguard funding opportunities for your research team.
In This Video, You’ll Learn:
- Which USC faculty and staff are automatically eligible to serve as Principal Investigators
- When and how to request a PI Eligibility Exception Waiver
- What documents and approvals are required for an exception request
- Tips to ensure your proposal meets all eligibility requirements
👉 Watch “Principal Investigator Eligibility: Guidelines for USC Researchers”
Questions or Feedback?
We’re here to help! For anything related to MicroLearning Mondays, please reach out to Noah Congelliere in the Department of Contracts and Grants.