Who Can be a Protocol Director?

Every research study requires a Protocol Director (PD). The PD (or Faculty Sponsor if applicable) takes full responsibility for the conduct of the study including the eligibility and training of the research staff. All individuals who serve in the role of PD on funded research must be employed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Persons holding the following positions may be designated as Protocol Directors in applications for externally sponsored funding: 

  1. All tenured and tenure-track Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors, and Librarians.
  2. All persons holding appointments as Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor and Research Professor, Extension Specialists, and Clinical Professors.
  3. All persons holding Adjunct, Visiting, Post-Doctoral Fellows , Emeritus, or other faculty positions at the UMass Amherst not included under 1 or 2, and who have the approval of the appropriate Department Head or equivalent. Such approval can be indicated by an e-mail from the Department Head or equivalent. Approval from the Department Head or equivalent can be for a specific project or can grant approval for future submissions as well.  
  4. Graduate students and undergraduate students can be named as PDs but must be supervised by a Faculty Sponsor who falls under 1, 2, or 3 above. Further, the Faculty Sponsor must attest the following in writing: “I am acting as the Faculty Sponsor for the research protocol “[Protocol Number]” submitted by “[Student Name]” titled, “[Protocol Title]”. I accept responsibility for the research described. I further attest that I am fully aware of all the procedures to be followed, will monitor the research, and will notify the IRB of any significant problems or changes.”
  5. All Professional Staff who are not also students, provided they have the approval of the appropriate Department Head. Such approval can be indicated by an e-mail from the Department Head or equivalent. Approval from the Department Head or equivalent can be for a specific project or can grant approval for future submissions as well.