In lieu of voting, I took a moment to look at a couple of received awards (NIH, NSF, DOE).  Each one in the opening, made a similar statement: "The {agency} hereby grants an award in the amount of $XXX,XXX.xx to {University}."

Thus, I would contend it is the University submitting on behalf of the PI.

However, I would also argue that Ivona's post (@ 9:07) about the distinction of language ('on' vs 'in') is important and not necessarily separated from this discussion.  It has always been my view that the ability to submit a research proposal stems from the symbiotic relationship of the institution and the researcher.

In the left hand, an institution could not necessarily submit an application without naming a PI.  Part of the validity of the proposal is that there exists a person able to accomplish the scientific/programmactic needs of the research.  It would be unusual for an agency to fund a proposal with the PI as "to be named".

In the right hand, a researcher could submit directly to an agency, but they must be able to verify that they are capable of meeting all of the requisite administrative tasks to manage the compliance elements and the funds themselves.  Few, if any, researchers would do this willingly much less have the infrastructure to this within the constraints of compliance.

Thus, we have the unique and wonderful world of research administration - where we are both advocate and enforcer, counselor and task-master, friend and foe - each at different times in the eye of the proverbial beholder.

In the end I would not be one to say that this is all as black-and-white as we want it to be, though sometimes I wish it were so; but rather I find myself comfortably gray and usually answer, "It depends."

Thanks for listening,
Michael DeShazo, CRA
Budget Analyst, Data Analysis Team
Research Accounting and Analysis
Ph: 206-616-9574

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Charlie Hathaway
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:19 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] English

Does a principal investigator submit an application ON BEHALF OF the
university?
or
Does the university submit an application ON BEHALF OF the principal
investigator?

[let's save the "on" vs "in" question for next time]

thanks

Charlie

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