eRA@TU

  eRA@TU has now moved to https://era.temple.edu/tu_login/login.asp

Temple University has undertaken a major effort to achieve excellence in the delivery of administrative services within a framework that focuses on satisfying customer requirements, empowering the faculty and work force, and continuously improving service delivery processes. Information systems and technology will be used to facilitate and encourage the re-design of administrative processes rather than merely to automate current methods. Our goal is to ensure that neither work effort nor information is unnecessarily duplicated, that controls that remain in place are required for valid business reasons, and that technology not only transports information seamlessly through each required step in a process, but also makes the information readily accessible to everyone who has a "need to know."

eRA@TU is the working name for the electronic Research Administration (ERA) project that is coming to Temple University. This project is part of the larger University-wide initiative that includes the TRIOS ERP project that will redefine and reengineer many of the current administrative systems at the University.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies is sponsoring eRA@TU project and invites you to learn more about the project by exploring this website. Look here for project updates, schedules and upcoming announcements and milestones.

eRA Vision

The eRA@TU project vision encompasses more than software; it is also business process reengineering. This principle of re-engineering business processes prior to the introduction of new technology requires the phased implementation of new systems, within the context of a common architectural framework, as re-engineering initiatives are completed. It involves enabling the implementation of best practices in the management of sponsored projects with the help of leading edge technologies. As part of the Temple University's ongoing commitment to the research enterprise, the University is committed to defining and refining policies, processes, procedures, as well as organizations, and adopting appropriate technologies to support them.

The technical vision of eRA@TU include the implementation of software based solutions, either a single system or as integrated, 'best in breed' modules to develop a beginning to end research information system for research project development, support and management. The new system will be tightly integrated with the University's ERP solution.

Click here to read the Vision statement.

What is eRA?

Electronic Research Administration (ERA) is the term used to describe the philosophy of conducting Research Administration in an integrated and automated environment. In its broadest definition, it encompasses both pre- and post-award processes that involve the administrative and regulatory aspects of grants, contracts and clinical trials.

Pre-award

  • Identification of funding opportunities
  • Proposal development
  • Institutional and faculty profiles
  • Electronic approval and routing
  • Budget development
  • Cost sharing information
  • Sub-contracts tracking

Protocol Management

  • Regulatory protocol development and approvals including IRB, IACUC, IBC and Radiation
  • Electronic submission of protocols
  • Electronic notification of protocol status
  • Animal facilities management and purchasing

Clinical Trials Management

  • Budget preparation
  • Integration and use of approved University costs/charges
  • Patient/procedure scheduling
  • Sponsor billing
  • Financial analysis

Submission of Proposals to Sponsors

  • Electronic submissions of proposals to sponsors who support it
  • Hard copy submissions using sponsors templates

Electronic Notification of Award Notices

  • Automatic notification
  • Automated project setup

Post Award Management

  • Project financial management
  • Sponsor invoicing
  • Project closeout and reporting

Reporting

  • Timely and accurate reporting at all phases of the project life cycle
  • Ability to link sponsored project data with other University systems of record

eRA Objectives

Electronic Research Administration (ERA) is the term used to describe the philosophy of conducting Research Administration in an integrated and automated environment. In its broadest definition, it encompasses both pre- and post-award processes that involve the administrative and regulatory aspects of grants, contracts and clinical trials.

  • Increase efficiency
  • Support the collaborative nature of research at Temple
  • Mitigate risk for the University
  • Improve overall management and delivery of the administrative portions of sponsored research
  • Standardize proposal and award processes across the University
  • Provide a University-wide data source for proposals and awards
  • Enhance the ability to obtain funding from sponsors
  • Provide secure access to authorized users

eRA@TU - Why eRA?

There are several external and internal factors that are driving the University to implement new processes to improve support of its research activities.

External Factors

  • Sponsor Mandate - Sponsoring agencies, particularly federal agencies, have begun to mandate use of electronic systems for submission and management of grants. Examples include the National Science Foundation and the American Heart Association who require electronic submission of proposals. In addition many programs within NIH and other leading Federal sponsors are requiring or at minimum, encouraging electronic submissions through their agency websites. The federally mandated and sponsored Grants.Gov initiative will provide an electronic portal for proposal submissions and other electronic correspondence both to and from Federal sponsors.
  • Accountability and Compliance - Increasing federal regulatory burden and auditor oversight of University systems will require that Temple be able to demonstrate consistency of practices, adherence to regulatory compliance guidelines and proper stewardship of funds at the institution level.
  • Competition for Funds - Many of Temple's peer research institutions are addressing ERA. These universities have invested heavily in both research infrastructure and electronic Research Administration. The Temple University needs to maintain and enhance its position to compete for research funds as well as becoming an integral partner in shaping the future of research and Research Administration.

Internal Factors

  • Risk Management - There are strategic, financial, operational, compliance and reputational risks in the administration, management and reporting for sponsored research programs. An effective electronic Research Administration would enable the institution to mitigate these business risks and ensure the following positive outcomes :
    • Effective management of research funds to maximize research outcomes for which those funds are provided
    • Proper stewardship of federal, state and private funds
    • Good stewardship of the institution's resources (funds, personnel, etc.)
    • Avoidance of adverse publicity
    • Clarity, consistency, measureability with respect to managing grants
    • Administrative efficiencies
    • Effective communication with sponsors
  • Reduced Administrative Infrastructure - A goal of the University must be able to increase the time that investigators spend on research and decrease the time spent on the administration of their grants.
  • Accessibility of Information - As the volume of research grows, there is an increasing demand for data to assist with decision-making at all levels within the University. At a strategic level this includes trend analysis, projections, 'hit rates', return on investment and other productivity metrics for charting the course and growth of research at Temple. At an operational level, basic operational reporting, and other detailed analyses are required. Other groups such as the Trustees, state legislatures and foundations are more frequently requesting this type of information from the University. Providing access to this information is one of the key objectives of eRA@TU.