Research Systems

Knowing what tools are at your disposal can make your research project a great deal easier. Whether you need to submit a proposal, execute a contract, or manage an award, these designated systems have you covered.

Take advantage of the compiled research administrative and clinical research systems in this central location.

Getting Started

If you are new to UT Southwestern, please ensure completion of the following access request forms:

• eResearch Access Request
  Complete this system access request form for a grant user ID in Velos, eIRB, eGrants, and Topaz.
• NIH eRA Commons User Account Request
  Complete this system access request form for a user ID in eRA Commons (NIH).

Systems

For information on which systems are connected and how they route to certain applications, please reference the SPA Software and Web Applications Guide.

• CPRIT Grants Management System (CGMS)
  CGMS allows applicants to submit proposal applications to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), manage award documents, and request award modifications (such as re-budgets and carry-forward requests).
• ClinCard
  ClinCard by Greenphire is a web-based platform that allows users to manage clinical research participant payments.
• COI-SMART (VPN Required)
  COI-SMART provides comprehensive tools for tracking and managing Conflicts of Interest (COI) disclosures. The online system makes for easy, smart, and effective tracking, and management of conflict-of-interest disclosures.
• DMPTool
  The DMPTool is a free, open-source, online application that helps researchers create data management plans (DMPs). These plans are now required by many funding agencies as part of the grant proposal submission process. The DMPTool provides a click-through wizard for creating a DMP that complies with funder requirements. It also has direct links to funder websites, help text for answering questions, and data management best practices resources.
• eAgreements
  eAgreements allows users to submit a variety of research agreements, including clinical trial agreements, clinical trial master agreements, clinical trial subcontracts, treatment-use agreements (compassionate use), flow-through agreements, subawards, grant-award agreements (GAA), and confidential disclosure agreements. Pathfinder assists users with properly routing agreements with the correct department at UT Southwestern.
• eGrants
  eGrants is an electronic system for the submission and tracking of funding proposals and related budgets, as well as award setup, management, and closeout. Information from eGrants flows to PeopleSoft as part of the award setup process. For more information regarding eGrants training sessions, please visit the AAIR Services Page (VPN Required).
• eIRB
  The eIRB tab gives users access to IRB protocols for the PIs they assist. For training and education assistance, please visit the HRPP Training Page.
• Florence eBinders
  Florence eBinders is a cloud-based electronic system for clinical research study binders. The software provides remote access for start-up, monitoring, and source data review for sponsors while providing 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures.
• Grants.gov
  Grants.gov is the official grant announcement and proposal submission system for the federal government.
• NASA NSPIRES
  NASA utilizes this online system to announce NASA funding opportunities, as well as submission of pre-proposals and full proposals.
• National Science Foundation
  NSF FastLane/Research.gov has designed an online system to support all functions of the proposal process – proposal submission, review, award, and reporting.
• Online Reporting Business Intelligence Tools (ORBIT)
  ORBIT/EDW is a central portal that contains standard reports developed using the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) as well as links to various reporting portals for Administration, Academic, and Health System. Releases of new reports and report modifications are introduced to the portal on a regular basis. To request access to ORBIT dashboards and reports, please contact the Service Desk (VPN Required) and mention ORBIT.
• Oracle PeopleSoft
  PeopleSoft is an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) software that helps with financial management of funding received by UTSW Principal Investigators (PI). Awarded funds are made available in the system by establishing a chart of accounts (COA). Upon establishment of a COA, research departmental staff can request award modifications, such as re-budgets and cost transfers as needed. PeopleSoft is the financial system of record for UTSW.
• ProposalCENTRAL
  ProposalCENTRAL is an e-grant-making website shared by many government, nonprofit, and private grant-making organizations. Certain proposals are submitted via proposalCENTRAL, and for Welch proposals research staff must designate the UTSW-authorized organizational representative (AOR).
• TOPAZ Elements
  TOPAZ Elements is a web-based animal management software package that consolidates animal protocols, census, and billing into one program. With TOPAZ, you can submit and modify protocols, order animals, track your lab's census, and view detailed Animal Resource Center (ARC) invoices.
• UTSW Service Center (formerly ServiceNow)
  The UTSW Service Center allows users to digitally manage workflows and inquiries. Please submit any request for service or question via the UTSW Service Center, and the appropriate SPA staff member will be assigned to manage your request. Requests can be created within the Service Center platform or may be emailed to SPA Outreach.
• Velos
  Velos is a clinical trial management system (CTMS) that allows users to initiate and track the progress of their clinical trial budget, coverage analysis, and documents.