Free Foundation Course
Principal Investigator (PI) Foundation Course
Your starting point to research leadership. A flexible, online course that
walks you through the basics of being a PI.
About The Course
Curious about becoming a Principal Investigator?
This free course is your starting point.
If you’re a physician, PA, NP, medical resident, or simply someone interested in research leadership, this program was made for you.
It’s a flexible, online course that walks you through the basics of being a PI — what the role involves, how clinical trials are structured, and what compliance really looks like in practice.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the PI’s responsibilities, a certificate to show your progress, and a pathway toward mentorship and full certification.
Curriculum
What You'll Learn
The PI's role in the clinical trial ecosystem
Key responsibilities like patient safety, compliance, and protocol oversight
How to understand forms like 1572 and FDA 483
GCP basics through flashcards and quick resources
Clinical research terminology that will help you speak the language
A compliance webinar and career fair sessions to see the bigger picture
Why This
Matters
We built this course to do more than just share information. It’s the first step in building a pipeline of physicians and clinicians who can lead research in places that need it most.
Help Us Grow
We’re serious about making research accessible where it’s needed most, but we can’t do it alone. Every contribution helps us:
- Provide scholarships for future PIs
- Cover site startup costs like staffing, legal, and marketing
- Host Lunch & Learn sessions and community outreach
- Finish our CRIO onboarding so we can officially launch
If you believe in expanding access to research, consider donating today.
Next Steps
Beyond the Course
Mentorship
If you want to take the next step, we offer mentorship in site startup and diversity readiness.
Certification Pathway
This free course connects directly into our Certified Principal Investigator Academy (currently in progress with accreditation).
Opportunities in Sikeston, MO
We’re actively recruiting Principal Investigators to help us launch Southeast Missouri’s first clinical trial site.
If that sparks your interest, reach out. We’d love to talk.
Stay Connected
Join Our Community
Take the first step toward becoming a Principal Investigator and see how you can
bring research opportunities to the communities that need them most.