Sponsored Programs Office

Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Research at the Aurora Research Institute is governed by the rules and policies of several authorities – Federal and State governments, Aurora Health Care and the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO). This section provides information and links related to such rules, regulations and policies.

Who May Serve as a Principal Investigator (PI)?

The program director/principal investigator (PD/PI) is responsible for the intellectual leadership of a project. Any Aurora caregiver who has proper training and experience to conduct a research or non-research project may serve as the PD/PI.

If research involves human subjects, Aurora investigators and/or key personnel listed on the project must complete online human subjects protection training session offered through Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). Click here to learn more about the CITI Training.

PD/PI Responsibilities

The knowledge and understanding a PD/PI brings to the process is incredibly valuable and the linchpin to a proposal’s success. While the PD/PI may delegate portions of proposed grant development, he/sheis ultimately responsible for the project and all aspects of the proposal as submitted. Responsibilities include:

  • Serving as the primary grant proposal writer.
  • Complying with applicable sponsor and Aurora policies and procedures during the project development, implementation and award management.
  • Acquiring and maintaining training, approvals or licenses required to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and statutes, such as human or animal protections.

SPO staff serves as a resource in crafting a compelling request, assisting with proposal and budget development, and providing guidance and oversight on sponsor and Aurora-specific policies and procedures.

Timeline: SPO requests that Aurora PD/PIs provide all final proposal content within five (5) days of the sponsor’s deadline. 

Please see the SPO's Grant Development Support Policy (PDF, 307 KB) for more information.

Aurora Health Care Policies and Procedures

All research and other sponsored projects are subject to Aurora Health Care policies and procedures. Aurora system specific policies can be found on the "Policy Procedure Manuals" page on the organization's internal iConnect website.

General Federal Policies

Specific Policies of Key Agencies

OMB Circular

The Office of Management and Business (OMB) oversees and coordinates the executive office’s procurement, financial management, information and regulatory policies. The following are a select few relevant policies issued by the OMB; visit its website for additional circulars.

  • OMB Circular A-110– Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations.
  • OMB Circular A-122– Cost principles for nonprofit organizations.
  • OMB Circular A-133– Audits of state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations.

Financial Conflict of Interest - Outlines the NIH Financial Conflict of Interest policy revised in 2011.

Other Helpful Links

Please contact SPO for further information and assistance.