When a Principal Investigator (PI) decides to leave the institution, a determination must be made regarding whether Wayne State University (WSU) will retain the project. If the project is to remain at WSU, a new PI must be identified. The process for notifying and obtaining approval varies by agency, and the appropriate Sponsored Program Administration Grant & Contract Officer (GCO) should be contacted to coordinate the change.

All grant or contract transfers require prior approval from the awarding agency or sponsor. In general, contracts (unlike grants) must be terminated at the original institution before being reassigned, although exceptions may apply. Grants typically transfer with the PI when they move, but the grantee institution can request sponsor approval to designate a substitute PI. In such cases, the project may be institutionally rather than individually focused.

If the PI is transferring to another institution and they wish to take the project with them, they must first receive both agency and departmental approval to transfer a sponsored award with them. Once that approval has been obtained, the following steps must take place to relinquish the award:

1. • Based on sponsoring agency policies and procedures, a Relinquishing Statement must be completed by the PI. The statement will indicate the expected unobligated balance at the time of termination, including a breakdown between direct and indirect costs. It must also include a list of any equipment transferring with the award. The amount to be relinquished cannot be greater than the current year funding. The PI should work with the appropriate GCO to prepare the relinquishing statement. The GCO will obtain the required signature(s) and forward the documentation to the sponsoring agency. Typically, the relinquishing statement will require the signature of both LaShonda Cooley, Sr. Director of Sponsored Program Administration and Marlene Erno, Sr. Director of Sponsored Program Administration - Finance.
   • An Invention Statement must be completed by the PI. This discloses any inventions that were developed in direct correlation to the sponsored project, and must be completed even if there were no inventions. The Director of Technology Transfer will sign on behalf of WSU.
   • A Property Report must be completed pertaining to any equipment that was purchased using funds awarded by the sponsoring agency. A designee in the Property Office will sign on WSU's behalf (APPM #6.2). Per prior approval from the Chairman and the Dean of the school/college/division, the Asset Activity Transmittal Form 195A must be submitted to the Property Office if any transfer of equipment to the new institution will occur.
   • Notify the Technology Transfer Office that the PI is leaving. They will ensure that any inventions that the PI has been involved with are handled appropriately relative to the move.

NOTE: Per University Policy #86.2, when the PI leaves WSU, the balance of his/her share of indirect cost funds will revert to the department.