Electronic research administration system implementation announced by Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development

After a long and intensive multi-disciplinary evaluation of eight major vendor products for electronic research administration, or ERA, Auburn University has selected the Huron Research Suite as the new tool for creation, review, approval and submission of proposals, sponsored awards, compliance protocols, conflict of interest disclosures and animal operations management.

The Huron Research Suite is a highly robust software solution for managing the research enterprise and for aiding investigators and staff as they navigate the increasing complexity of regulatory and administrative requirements. Huron was selected based upon vendor demonstrations, product attributes such as a consistent user interface and fully integrated modules with dashboard capabilities and a Huron-provided learning library of videos and training materials for guidance in using the product. In addition, the product was ranked the highest in functionality overall and within its various modules.

Of the 12 modules offered through the Huron Research Suite, Auburn has entered into a contract to implement nine. Beginning in May 2023, the university will initiate onboarding the conflict of interest, or COI, and Institutional Review Board, or IRB, modules. Each module will involve an onboarding phase, an analysis of Auburn’s current processes, various iterations of the user interface and workflows, several weeks of testing and then deployment to campus with approximately four weeks for post-deployment evaluation and support. Full implementation is expected to take two years.

In August 2023, the university will begin configuration of the grants, agreements and proposal submission module, which will require approximately one year to complete. This module involves some system-to-system transmission of proposals to federal agencies, thus reducing duplication of data entry throughout institutional workflows. It will also integrate with Auburn’s Banner financial system, enhancing the value of the data and access to information for both faculty and staff. In late fall 2023, engagement will begin for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or IACUC, module, followed in summer 2024 by the animal operations and Institutional Biosafety Committee, or IBC, modules.

The goal of procuring and implementing this software solution is to provide transparency to users in the processing of their work product as it moves throughout the campus approval chain and to assure access to vital information for management of funded projects, approved protocols, and requirements for technical reporting. The new product will also reduce duplication of effort in data entry and the use of multiple systems to find a holistic picture of a sponsored project or compliance protocol.

Auburn’s research programs continue to grow and expand, allowing the university to maintain its status as an R1 institution with “highest research activity” in the Carnegie Classifications. This new research management tool will aid in the continued advancement of Auburn’s research portfolio. Updates, timelines and accomplishments will be posted on the ERA website as they become available.