UAF Office of Sponsored Programs

UA's Electronic Research Administration (eRA) Project

Background

The University of Alaska system (UA) is seeking an Electronic Research Administration (eRA) software solution to improve the integrity and efficiency of research administration, thus enabling funded research to grow while simultaneously limiting the need for additional administrative staff. This proposed solution would also allow UA to further comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Public Law 106-107 (The Grants Streamlining Initiative). To fulfill this enterprise objective, it will be implemented at all academic and administrative MAUs (UAA, UAF, UAS, and Statewide). The solution will directly serve two groups of end users: UA researchers and UA research administration. The solution will endeavor to provide a single point of access to securely manage and administer research over the internet from any time zone. The project might include data collection and entry services to upload/inform the new system of all UA research activity prior to the moment of implementation.

In addition to leveraging the OnBase® digital document imaging technology (paperless), the MyUA portal, recent Banner technology upgrades, and the Electronic Faculty Workload solution, the solution, with additional software, would provide:

Funding search capability;
Individualized faculty profiles; and
Electronic workflow, routing, approval, submission, tracking and reporting of all aspects of UA's research-related business processes.

Such features would allow for better integration and collaboration between faculty, departmental and administrative offices, compliance committees, and sponsoring agencies. It will create an efficient working environment devoid of redundant paper processes so that researchers have time to do more research and administrators have time to better facilitate the research process. The result will give UA the opportunity to build its research capacity and competitiveness to its full potential.

In July 2006, The University of Alaska was granted $1.3 million to procure and implement an eRA system at the University of Alaska by the Vice President for Research, Craig Dorman. The eRA Committee is now working on an RFP to solicit potential vendors of eRA software.

Motivation

Several factors are driving the need for an eRA system at UA:

Sponsor Mandates - Most federal sponsors now require electronic submission of proposals and that trend is expected to continue. The University of Alaska system must be prepared to comply with current and anticipated government regulations regarding electronic submissions.
Growth in Sponsored Activities - Sponsored activities have grown significantly over the last several years. With this increase, there has been a greater need for better data capture and dissemination to aid in decision-making at all levels of UA administration. Furthermore, the increased volume of research has stimulated efforts to find ways to make the grant application and management process more efficient.
Compliance - The eRA system as proposed would serve to mitigate regulatory, financial, legal, and competitive risks to the University of Alaska system.

eRA Committee