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Office of Research

Project eRA

Identifying and implementing a new enterprise-wide research administration solution.

Overview

An integral part of UAB’s institutional initiative “Growth with a Purpose,” the objective of Project eRA is to identify and implement a single, enterprise-wide, cloud-based research administration solution. This new technology should provide UAB researchers ease of use, responsiveness, enhanced dashboards, business analytics, and improved submission processes.

The selected system will streamline the management of integrated workflows for the activities of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the Office of Conflict Review Board (OCIRB), the Office of the Institutional Review Board (OIRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Animal Resources Program (ARP), Export Control and the Material Transfer Office (MTO), while providing robust data analytics to the UAB research community.

Selection Criteria

Project eRA Selection Criteria

  • System and Modular Integration (Oracle, OnCore, Docebo)
  • User Specific Dashboards
  • Enhanced Reporting/ Business Analytics
  • System to System Grants.gov Submissions
  • Agreements Module
  • Ease of Use/Responsiveness
  • Communication/Alerts
  • Flexible Workflow Management
  • Electronic Routing Smart Forms

Phases and Timeline

Project eRA General Timeline

Learn more

Project eRA Groups

  • Executive Steering Committee

    The Executive Steering Committee ensures the project progresses through the institutional processes appropriately.

  • Planning Group

    The Planning Group includes leadership from the Office of Research and UAB IT to oversee progression of the project.

  • Core Team

    The Core Team functions as the primary tactical group of the project whose members include the project managers and leadership from the Research Technology and Communications office and UAB IT.

  • Advisory Group

    The Advisory Group includes broad representation from campus to advise the project on specific and broad issues.

  • Implementation Task Force

    The Implementation Task Force includes members of the Core Team and the Advisory Group along with additional campus stakeholders to assist with implementation, linkages to other systems, testing and piloting for roll out to campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What system will replace IRAP?

    What system will replace IRAP?

    We are currently conducting demonstrations and have a sandbox available to aid in new system selection, surveys are being collected from the stakeholders involved in each demonstration group. All campus also has access to the sandbox environment and an opportunity to provide their feedback via a survey.
  • What is the new ERA system implementation timeline?

    What is the new ERA system implementation timeline?

    The implementation timeline is vendor specific, once the vendor is identified, we will provide details about the anticipated timeline.
  • Would the implementation have a big bang approach or phased approach?

    Would the implementation have a big bang approach or phased approach?

    We are currently considering all approaches to implementation, once a vendor is identified, we will know more about which option is the best fit for the UAB community.
  • What training resources will be provided for the new ERA system?

    What training resources will be provided for the new ERA system?

    The system will include in app help and the vendors have training libraries with videos.
  • What would the new ERA system be named?

    What would the new ERA system be named?

    Each vendor will use their own product brand names but UAB will be able to add limited UAB branding to certain aspects of the product (e.g., banner, color, etc.).
  • Would my existing trainings appear in the new system?

    Would my existing trainings appear in the new system?

    Yes, your existing trainings will be loaded into the new eRA system during implementation.
  • What changes should I expect to see in the new ERA system?

    What changes should I expect to see in the new ERA system?

    There will be a multitude of new functionality in a new system including system to system submissions to grants.gov and a central location for your COI disclosures. You should also expect improved responsiveness and more intuitive processes.
  • Who should we reach out to if we have any further questions?

    Who should we reach out to if we have any further questions?

    You should reach out to Amanda Capps, the eRA project manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..