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What is a Principal Investigator (PI)?
A Principal Investigator is a person responsible for the conduct of a research study at a site.
What is the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme?
What is the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme?
The Associate Principal Investigator Scheme aims to develop health and care professionals to become the Principal Investigators (PIs) of the future.
The NIHR Associate PI Scheme links a health and care professional who is new to research with a study PI at the same site for a period of 6 months.
During their time on the scheme the Associate PI trainee completes a learning pathway, including a checklist of mandated study activities.
Once completed, participating healthcare professionals receive formal recognition of engagement in NIHR Portfolio research studies through the certification of Associate PI status, endorsed by the NIHR and Royal Colleges.
The aims of the scheme are:
To make research a routine part of clinical training.
To develop health and care professionals to be PIs of the future.
To recognise and promote Health and Care professionals engagement in NIHR portfolio research in a consistent manner.
How the Associate PI Scheme Works
The scheme is open to any health and care professional willing to make a significant contribution to the conduct and delivery of a study at a local level over a period of at least six months:
The health and care professional works on the study alongside the Local PI for six months at the same site.
The local PI acts as a mentor to the Associate PI, helping them to understand what it means to be a PI on an NIHR portfolio study.
During their time on the Associate PI Scheme, the Associate PI trainee must complete a checklist of study activities and a learning pathway on NIHR Learn. This checklist needs to be signed off by the Local PI and the National Study Coordinator at the end of an trainee's time on the scheme.
The NIHR Associate PI Scheme team will then issue a certificate confirming Associate PI Status which can be added to their training portfolio.
How to Get Involved
How to Get Involved
More information
Further information and resources about the Associate PI Scheme can be found on the NIHR Associate PI Scheme website.
Alternatively, if you would like to discuss how the Associate PI Scheme could benefit you and your study please contact associatepischeme@nihr.ac.uk.
Look out for this Badge ➡️ on East Midlands RDN Studies Open to Expression's of Interest Page for all studies currently a part of the Associate PI Scheme looking for Healthcare Professionals to take part!
At a Glance
At a Glance
API Scheme_infographic_v5.2_no bleed (May 2023).pdfAssociate PI Scheme Experiences
Associate PI Scheme Experiences
API Scheme - RCN Nursing event QandA.mp4A Nurse's Story- Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
A Nurse's Story- Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
This video of Amanda Hill, Hepatology Nurse Specialist, details their experience of taking part in the Associate PI Scheme.
NIHR Associate PI Scheme - a GP experience by Owen Hughes.mp4A GP's experience - Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
A GP's experience - Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
This video of Owen Hughes, a GP partner at University Nottingham Health Service, details their experience of taking part in the Associate PI Scheme.
A Speech Therapists experience - Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
A Speech Therapists experience - Taking part in the Associate PI Scheme
This video gives an example of a speech therapist taking part in the Associate PI Scheme and how it worked for them.
Myth Buster
Myth Buster
Myth Buster Flyer.pdfIf you require further assistance or have any questions about the NIHR API Scheme please get in touch with your Local Primary Care Research Delivery Team who will be happy to assist!
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