Important Definitions
The Principal Investigator (P.I.) Researchers set the nature and direction of their research programs, train students, seek and obtain funding for their research activities, and communicate the results of their research to the public, consistent with any requirements of their research sponsors. Researchers are responsible for managing and conducting their research projects and for the overall sound administration of all research funds allocated to them, in accordance with the funding agency guidelines, University policies and with ethical and legal standards.
Research Grants include all funds awarded with the intent of encouraging a professor's research efforts or other studies done at the University. These funds are to be utilized exclusively for the purposes described in the grant application. These grants do not restrict the publication of research results. Grants are generally funds distributed by federal grant councils and other non-profit, philanthropical agencies. Policy no. 48 defines the regulations garding grants, research contracts, and service contracts administered by the University of Ottawa.
Research Contracts are formal agreements between the University and a sponsor to provide support for a specific activity under defined terms and conditions. Contracts generally contain provisions related to the work to be conducted, the time periods over which the work will be performed, confidentiality, ownership rights, commercial exploitation and licensing rights, etc.
To learn more on the difference between a grant and a contract, please consult our web section Grants vs Contracts.
