A handbook about applying for and managing sponsored projects at the University of Idaho

At the University of Idaho, scholarly and creative activity aspires to generate knowledge that strengthens the scientific, economic, cultural, social and legal foundations of an open, diverse and democratic society.

Our goal is to achieve excellence in scholarship and creative activity through an institutional culture that values and promotes strong academic areas and interdisciplinary collaboration among them. However, to an increasing degree, research and education require the cooperation of individuals with a broad range of expertise and the utilization of a wide variety of materials and equipment. Both the University of Idaho and the government have developed policies and adopted rules to ensure that these activities are conducted with integrity and with due regard for the health, safety and privacy of everyone concerned.

To help pay for research involving students and associates and for experiments using sophisticated equipment, faculty members often must obtain external support through a formal agreement involving the sponsor, the principal investigator (PI), and the university. Funds must be allocated and spent appropriately. PIs, research administrators and members of research groups will have to take many steps in concert with a variety of university offices between the time they start looking for support for a project and the time they complete the supported project.

This handbook, Managing Your Research at the University of Idaho, contains practical hands-on information to ensure that sponsored projects at the university are administered efficiently and ethically. The manual includes pointers to relevant university and governmental policies and to other resources. Suggestions for improving its content and clarity are welcomed.

Adapted with permission from Harvard University.