diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationDescription.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationDescription.java
index 64f04a6..b3fab01 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationDescription.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationDescription.java
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
  */
 package org.onosproject.app;
 
+import org.onosproject.core.ApplicationRole;
 import org.onosproject.core.Permission;
 import org.onosproject.core.Version;
 
@@ -57,6 +58,13 @@
     String origin();
 
     /**
+     * Returns the role of the application.
+     *
+     * @return application role
+     */
+    ApplicationRole role();
+
+    /**
      * Returns the permissions requested by the application.
      *
      * @return requested permissions