This section relates to changes to a PI or co-PI in a multi-investigator PI award. For information relating to changes to personnel in an SFI Research Centre please visit SFI Research Centres Award Management. 

As per SFI’s Grant General Terms and Conditions, the Foundation must be notified if there is any change in the status of Principal Investigators (PI) who hold active SFI awards or co-Principal Investigators (co-PI) named on awards. Any change to a PI or co-PI must be approved by SFI in advance of assuming responsibility for overseeing research and/or research personnel supported by the Foundation. 

It is the responsibility of the award holder and / or lead host institution to inform SFI in advance if a: 

  1. PI or co-PI is departing from an SFI award 
  2. PI or co-PI is joining an SFI award and will be overseeing research funded by SFI 
  3. PI or co-PI will be changing status within an SFI award. 

For changes involving a PI or co-PI, the Vice President for Research (or equivalent) of the lead host institution for the award submits a written request to SFI for their consideration / approval. This request will typically be submitted by email to the relevant Scientific Programme Manager within SFI and/or programmatic email address (e.g. investigators@sfi.ie etc.) at least 3 months in advance of the proposed change. The lead institution’s submission will, at a minimum, contain the following information: 

  • The background for the request, providing an explanation as to why the existing PI/co‐PI is stepping down or why their status is changing  
  • A description of the impact that his/her departure will have on the operations or research activities of the award, as well as any steps being undertaken to manage or mitigate this risk 
  • The CV of the proposed replacement 
  • A description of the role and responsibilities of the proposed replacement, if different from the incumbent 
  • A statement from the proposed replacement that he/she is prepared to act as PI or co‐PI on the award, and will assume the responsibilities for the award that are attached to that role 
  • Any additional pertinent information 

SFI supports the use of sabbaticals by SFI funded researchers. However, there are strict conditions attached to maintaining an SFI grant when engaging in a sabbatical.   If the grant holder AND host research body wishes to maintain an SFI grant whilst on sabbatical the grant holder AND research body must jointly, in writing, (a) inform SFI in advance, and (b) construct a detailed management plan on how to manage/run SFI grant whilst on sabbatical. This plan must be submitted jointly by the grant holder/research body well in advance of the proposed sabbatical and approved by SFI. Failure to comply with this policy in full will result in suspension of the grant and possible grant termination. It is the responsibility of the grant holder AND the research body to contact  SFI in sufficient time to allow the sabbatical application process conclude in a reasonable and timely manner. For example, SFI may choose to implement a review procedure to establish progress/status on a grant where a sabbatical is proposed, and hence an appropriate time interval is required.

The sabbatical management plan proposal must contain details of the following:

  • Scientific leadership of research
  • Financial accountability/responsibility for the grant
  • Mentorship of students and other team members
  • Timelines of proposed sabbatical (including reintegration post-sabbatical)
  • A detailed revised work plan for the research for the remainder of the grant (including staffing arrangements, budgets etc.)
  • Escalation procedures during sabbatical
  • Other pertinent details
  • Sign off of both the grant holder and research body vice president of research required

Please contact your Scientific Programme Manager if you are considering taking a sabbatical whilst holding a SFI grant. It is the responsibility of the grant holder/research body to contact SFI in sufficient time to allow the above process conclude in a reasonable manner.