II.         POLICY:         It is the policy of PAIRE to administer funds provided to support VA research or education activities within the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

III.       PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR STATUS    

A.        VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) Memorandum No. 151-06-08 sets forth the requirements for establishing PI eligibility status for research activities.  PAIRE will administer funds only for those investigators who meet these requirements and have been approved as Principal Investigators.

B.         From time to time there may be instances wherein an investigator wishes to submit a funding application but has not yet obtained PI eligibility approval as required by policy.  In such cases, and assuming all other requirements are met, the Executive Director may approve the application for submission to the funding agency with the clear understanding that, should PI eligibility not be approved, PAIRE will request withdrawal of the application from the funding entity.

IV.       TERMINATION OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RELATED FUNDS AND EQUIPMENT:  Principal Investigator status will terminate when the PI resigns, transfers or retires from VAPAHCS or requests termination of such status.  Guidelines for distribution of remaining funds, both from active awards and residual/donation accounts, and related equipment are described below:

A.                 Transfer of Active Sponsored Awards to Another Academic or Nonprofit Institution – If the Principal Investigator is transferring to another academic institution or nonprofit institution and will continue an ongoing research or education activity,  funds from active sponsored awards may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors and with the agreement of the sponsor and receiving entity, be transferred to such institution.  Further, equipment that was acquired primarily for use by the departing investigator may be considered for transfer. 

In these cases the Principal Investigator should submit a memorandum to the Board of Directors, through the Executive Director, delineating what is requested for transfer. 

B.         Transfer of Donated and/or Residual Funds – If the Principal Investigator is transferring to another VA and will continue an ongoing research or education activity, residual/donation funds may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be transferred to a VA-affiliated NPC.  Further, equipment that was acquired primarily for use by the departing investigator may be considered for transfer. In reviewing such requests the Board will consider donor-imposed restrictions on residual funds, whether the transfer will support VA research, and PAIRE/VAPAHCS needs.

In these cases the Principal Investigator should submit a memorandum to the Board of Directors, through the Executive Director, delineating what is requested for transfer.

No residual funds will be transferred to other than a VA-affiliated NPC.  Because PAIRE exists to facilitate VA research and because the funds administered by PAIRE become PAIRE funds, residual funds must be used in support of VA research and education.  Therefore, transfer to other than a VA or VA-affiliated NPC would not be in furtherance of VA research or education.  The ability of the PI to exercise control over residual funds is solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

C.                 Cessation of Research Activities or Retirement – When a Principal Investigator ceases engaging in research or retires, residual funds and equipment will revert to PAIRE administration for redistribution.

D.        Transfer to a For-Profit Entity – No funds or equipment will be transferred to such an entity.