To whom are the grants awarded?
Federal grants are awarded to organizations, not individuals. The Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is defined as the individual(s) judged by the applicant organization to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility to direct the project or program supported by the grant. The PD/PI may author a grant application on behalf of the organization, but the PD/PI is not the recipient of the grant.
What is an IRB?
An institutional review board (IRB) must approve research methods and procedures for all federally funded research involving human subjects. An IRB is made up of a number of professionals who approve, monitor, and review research involving human subjects in order to protect the rights and welfare of the research subjects. To accomplish this purpose, the IRB approves research protocols and related materials (e.g., informed consent documents, recruitment materials, etc.).
What is informed consent and when is it needed?
In most cases, informed consent of research subjects is required. The informed consent process involves investigators educating potential subjects to ensure that they make an informed decision about whether or not to participate in a research study. Participants or their legally authorized representative (parents or guardians) must freely give informed consent based on a clear understanding of what participation involves.
Research Results
What is the protocol for providing research results to participants?
Results of a research study are shared with participants only in limited circumstances when indicated in the informed consent document approved by the IRB.
Information and Data Generated by Studies
Who owns the information and data generated by research studies?
Research leading to new knowledge and the transfer of this new knowledge are key elements of WPI's mission. As is customary with non-profit research institutes and universities, it is the policy of WPI that all intellectual property belongs to WPI if made: (1) by a WPI employee as a result of the employee's duties or (2) through the use of WPI facilities, equipment, funds, or other resources. All WPI research employees agree in writing that WPI is the owner of all intellectual property developed during the period of their employment with WPI.
