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NHG Health Office of Human Research Protection Programme (OHRPP)

Who can be a Principal Investigator?

The Principal Investigator (PI) is an individual who assumes the authority and responsibility for the conduct of a research study. The PI has the authority to delegate responsibility to individual members of the research team; however, the PI is ultimately responsible for the overall conduct of the research study.

Last updated 7 August 2026

Being a Principal Investigator (PI)

The Principal Investigator (PI) is an individual who assumes the authority and responsibility for the conduct of a research study. The PI has the authority to delegate responsibility to individual members of the research team; however, the PI is ultimately responsible for the overall conduct of the research study.

The PI(s) should have minimum ethical training to help them appreciate and apply the ethical principles underlying research to the day-to-day practice of research.

This requirement is not solely for the purpose of the application to DSRB, as the PI has the responsibility for ensuring that the conduct of the research within NHG Health or its partner institutions is in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and all other applicable guidelines and regulations.

1. Who can be a Principal Investigator?

The PI should be a staff of NHG Health or partner institution for research conducted in NHG Health or partner institutions.

A table outlining minimum requirements for being a principal investigator based on types of studies, with qualifications specified.
Table listing minimal risk study types with qualifications needed for pharmacists as principal investigators in clinical research.


Special Considerations (see doc “Special Considerations”)

  • Visiting Consultants

  • Conditionally Registered Medical Practitioners

  • Conditionally / Temporarily Registered Dentist

  • Multi-Centre between different Clusters (CIRB-DSRB mutual recognition)

  • Multi-Centre within NHG Health and Partner institutions


Click here to download the Special Considerations guide here (opens in new tab).

2. What other qualifications must the PI have?

The PI must be:

  • Qualified by education,

  • Training and experience to assume responsibility for the proper conduct of a research study and,

  • Should meet all qualifications specified by the applicable regulatory requirements.

3. What are the qualifications for being a PI for a Clinical Trial?

Refer to the Table in part 1 "Who can be a Principal Investigator?" above

For more information regarding HSA requirements on who can be a PI, click here (opens in new tab) OR visit https://www.hsa.gov.sg/clinical-trials/conducting (opens in new tab).


For more information regarding on Pharmacist being a PI:-
1. Download a copy of the Regulations here (opens in new tab).
2. Download a copy of the Guidance here (opens in new tab).

4. What are the responsibilities of the PI?

The PI is responsible for promoting proper conduct of research by assuring adherence to protocol requirements, ensuring adequate resources to conduct the study, protecting the rights and welfare of participants, assuring the integrity of data generated at the site and directing the conduct of the research according to applicable regulations and guidance.


For more details on the responsibilities of the PI, please see here for the NHG Health PCR SOP 501-A02: Responsibilities of the Research Team.

5. Is the PI able to apply for research grant?

The NHG Health Group Research & Innovation promotes research in NHG Health through the administration of competitive grant calls via the bottom-up approach and the thematic.

Researchers are encouraged to refer to their Clinical Research Units/ Offices of their institutions for their own grants available.