Purpose: 

To define the qualifications of investigators in whose name VMRF will submit proposals and administer awards and/or other contributions.

Definition:

A qualified VMRF Principal Investigator is defined as an investigator with

• An active academic appointment at a VMRF Board of Directors-approved institution, and
• A salaried or without compensation (WOC) appointment at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), and
• An active PI Scope of Practice with the VASDHS Research Service.

The current Board of Directors-approved institutions are: University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego State University (SDSU), RAND Institute, and The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI).

Application:

The purpose of taking into consideration academic titles bestowed at a VMRF Board of Directors-approved institution is to create a viable alternative for investigators with an academic interest outside of those pursued within the institutional boundaries of UCSD (e.g. nursing). The VMRF Board of Directors will reserve the right to individually evaluate, in collaboration with the appropriate VASDHS Service Chief, requests to serve as a qualified VMRF Principal Investigator.

VMRF appoints qualified Principal Investigators as “Research Scientists.” This is an administrative appointment and is renewable as described in the appointment letter addressed to the investigator. The VMRF appointment does not carry tenure or security of employment and can be revoked at any time. The appointment as a VMRF Research Scientist, the required VA appointments, as well as the academic appointment at a Board-approved institution must be concurrent.

VMRF neither sets nor has a review process for professional salaries. VMRF relies on the institution with which the PI is affiliated to set the salary of academic appointees. Appointments as VMRF Research Scientists will only be made to individuals for whom the relevant salary information is available.

For Fellowship Applications only: A postdoctoral fellow serving in the laboratory of a qualified VMRF principal investigator may serve as a PI.

Approved by the VMRF Board of Directors: 11/20/2009