Electronic Research Administration

Definition of eRA

Electronic Research Administration (eRA) involves the adoption or development of electronic systems to aid institutional research administration. ERA aims to facilitate the preparation and processing of both pre- and post-award tasks electronically and also to reduce or eliminate paper from transactions.

Background

The University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Research has recognized the need to implement a new information system to better support both its internal operational requirements and its responsibility to the faculty community as the administrative clearinghouse for all University research activities involving extramural sponsorship.

Several factors are driving the need for a robust research information system:

Sponsor Mandates
Several federal sponsors are currently mandating electronic submission of proposals and that trend is expected to continue. The University of Pittsburgh must be prepared to comply with current and anticipated government regulations regarding electronic submissions.
Growth in Sponsored Funding
Federal and industry support for research-related activity has grown significantly over the last several years. As the dollar volume of the research portfolio has increased, there has been a greater need for better data capture and dissemination to aid in decision-making at all levels of University administration. Furthermore, the increased volume of research has stimulated efforts to find ways to make the grant application and management process more efficient.
Risk Management
The eRA system as contemplated would serve to mitigate regulatory, financial, legal, and competition risks to the University of Pittsburgh.

This web site is an integral part of the Office of Research’s communication effort to inform the University community of the status of the eRA project.