Top 5 Research Accounting and Sponsored Project Tracking Platforms for Streamlined Grant Management
Non-sponsored, Expert Verified and Transparently Ranked 5 Research Accounting and Sponsored Project Tracking Platforms for Streamlined Grant Management
Executive Summary
We analyzed 5 solutions. Top Recommendation: The Cayuse Suite by Cayuse scored highest due to Mid-sized to large universities and research institutes needing fast deployment and clear financial oversight. Cayuse centralizes sponsored project data across the lifecycle and offers Fund Manager for projections and portfolio visibility, plus effort certification via Project Effort [1], [2], [3].
At a Glance
The Cayuse SuitebyCayuse
Best for: Mid-sized to large universities and research institutes needing fast deployment and clear financial oversight. Cayuse centralizes sponsored project data across the lifecycle and offers Fund Manager for projections and portfolio visibility, plus effort certification via Project Effort [1], [2], [3].
View Full Details →Jump to section:
Cayuse
Company Information
Company Overview
Company Details
Key Value Propositions
- Streamlines research administration tasks
- Centralizes task management
- Ensures compliance and security
- Improves efficiency and collaboration
Industries Served
Technical Information
Social Proof
Customer Testimonials
I've literally saved days. In the past it would take me most of the day placing animal orders. Now, it takes less than an hour.
We use Cayuse system-to-system, so all of our grants go into Cayuse… Before Cayuse, someone would input all grant application data page by page.
Trusted By
Case Studies
University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
50% reduction in time spent on administration.
Read Case StudyLa Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Saved days in administrative tasks.
Read Case StudyWhitehead Institute
Whitehead Institute
Streamlines grant application input from manual to system-to-system.
Read Case StudySocial Links & Discovery
Target Customers
Summary
The Cayuse Suite is a cloud-based suite of applications for research administration, enabling organizations to manage the entire research and grant lifecycle in one platform. It is designed to increase efficiency, decrease risk, and improve workplace satisfaction for research organizations.
Overview
Cayuse offers a comprehensive, cloud-based platform designed to streamline research administration. The Cayuse Suite is a collection of connected applications that cover the full research lifecycle, from proposal submission to funding management and protocol compliance.
Best For
Mid-sized to large universities and research institutes needing fast deployment and clear financial oversight. Cayuse centralizes sponsored project data across the lifecycle and offers Fund Manager for projections and portfolio visibility, plus effort certification via Project Effort [1], [2], [3].
Key Features
- Comprehensive cloud-based platform
- Connected suite of research administration apps
- Centralized task management
- Unified user data and access controls
- Built-in dashboards and analytics
- Regulatory compliance management (COI, IRB, IACUC, IBC)
- Vivarium management (procurement, inventory, billing, animal care, staff scheduling)
- Technology transfer management (inventions, commercialization support)
- Implementation and managed services
- Community and support resources
Key Benefits
- Streamlines research administration processes
- Covers the full research lifecycle (find funding, develop proposals, submit proposals, manage funds, manage operations, promote outcomes)
- Increases efficiency and accuracy
- Reduces risk and improves compliance
- Improves workplace satisfaction and collaboration
- Centralizes task management and user data
- Provides secure, reliable cloud storage and access controls
Who Is It For
- Higher Education
- Healthcare
- Life Sciences
- Nonprofit
- Government
- International research organizations
- Administrators and researchers
Features & Modules
The Cayuse Suite
Who We Serve
Built to improve efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration, our solutions simplify tasks for administrators and researchers across a variety of industries and markets.
- Higher Education
- Healthcare
- Life Sciences
- Nonprofit
- Government
- International
Seamlessly manage grant and research lifecycles in one cloud-based suite
The Cayuse Suite includes the Cayuse Platform, Award Management, Compliance Management, Vivarium Management, and Technology Transfer modules.
- Centralized platform for research administration
- Award and grant management
- Regulatory compliance management
- Vivarium and animal care management
- Technology transfer and commercialization
A proven and trusted partner for transforming research administration
Data security is embedded in every part of our business.
We’re committed to setting you up for success from day one.
Amp up capacity and productivity with Cayuse on your team.
Available In
Compliance
- SOC 2
- ISO 27001
- SSAE 16
- PCIA
Kuali
Company Information
Company Overview
Company Details
Trust & Compliance
Key Value Propositions
- No-Code Forms & Workflows
- Operational Efficiency
- Collaboration and Community Support
- Tailored Solutions for Higher Education
Industries Served
Technical Information
Social Proof
Customer Testimonials
What I love most about the Kuali Community is the collegial support you get to and from schools of all sizes.
Kuali is that rare organization that we have come to think of not as a vendor but a true partner.
Trusted By
Summary
Kuali Research Administration provides an interconnected suite of products supporting the entire research lifecycle, including proposal management, compliance, ethics reviews, and workflow automation. The platform is designed to be flexible, extensible, and easy to use, with modern integration capabilities and continuous delivery.
Overview
Kuali Research Administration is a powerful, flexible, and user-friendly suite designed to increase efficiency, ensure compliance, and support data-driven decisions throughout the full research lifecycle. The solution is tailored for higher education institutions of all sizes, from R1s to schools with emerging research programs, and offers deeply integrated modules for sponsored programs, compliance, and workflow automation.
Best For
Public research universities and systems requiring configurable workflows and finance integration. Kuali's Sponsored Programs captures awards, tracks changes, and integrates with financial systems via native KFS or API options, supporting seamless post-award processes and account setup across ERP environments [1], [2], [3].
Key Features
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Configurable, flexible forms and workflow
- Insights dashboards for efficient decision-making
- Form Designer for custom data capture
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Conditional visibility/editability of form sections in workflow
- Spreadsheet-like Budget Creator with configurable engine
- Extensible with add-ons for custom processes
- GraphQL APIs for integration
- No-code forms and workflow automation tool (Kuali Build)
- Document dashboard and status transparency for stakeholders
Key Benefits
- Increases efficiency in research administration processes
- Ensures compliance with changing regulations
- Supports data-driven decision-making
- Provides easy access to all research data
- Reduces training time for end users
- Enables automation of research-related forms and approvals
- Continuous delivery with no need for upgrades
- Deep integration and API connectivity with other campus systems
Who Is It For
- R1 universities concerned about scale and volume
- Institutions with emerging research programs
- Higher education research offices
- Research administrators
- Grant professionals
- Institutional leaders
Features & Modules
SOFTWARE FOR THE FUTURE of Research administration
The Kuali Research Suite
Our interconnected suite of products is designed to support the full research lifecycle. Whether you're an R1 concerned about scale and volume, a school with an emerging research program thinking about staffing levels and process improvement, or somewhere in between, our flexible solution is right for YOU.
- Sponsored Programs
- Conflict Management
- Human Ethics Review
- Animal Ethics Review
- Biosafety Review
- Internal Opportunities
- Export Control
- Kuali Build
What makes Kuali Research different?
We get it. You need tools that are flexible, efficient, easy to maintain and use. You need quick access to your data. You need to ensure compliance and adapt quickly to changing regulations.
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Configurable, flexible forms & workflow
- Easy access to ALL of your data
- Continuous delivery; no upgrades
- GraphQL APIs included
- Unlimited expansion with Kuali Build
Add-on to customize YOUR system
Kuali is extensible. It's easy to add functionality that extends our products and makes them more powerful for your specific needs.
- Facility use application
- Researcher Gift Routing
- NO Cost Extension Request
- Advance Account Request
- PI Eligibility form
- Equipment Use Form
- Notice of intent to submit proposal
- Project closeout form
Unlimited Possibilities
Extend our solutions to meet your unique needs. Increase researcher and staff satisfaction by automating all your research-related forms and approvals with our no-code forms and workflow automation tool.
- Flexible, easy-to-use form builder and powerful workflow designer
- Document dashboard and clear status information for transparency
- Comprehensive API integration capability
Customer Testimonials
The Kuali implementation manager and engineer we worked with were great... The implementation was a lot easier than what I anticipated.
This was an 18-month project and am pleased to say that this is probably the smoothest implementation I could have ever imagined.
The closeness of the relationship with Kuali exceeds that of our typical software vendors. This partnership sets the tone for how we work with partners and vendors.
The support from KualiCo was great. It really did make the transition as smooth as possible.
We’re getting better work out of our team rather than just busy work.
We always get quick responses from the support team. They always do their best to show us how to do things or how to resolve our issues. Great folks!
The Kuali Research interface is so much more intuitive than our previous system, and the time to train end users has been cut in half.
Available In
Security
- SOC 2 Type II certified
- HECVAT compliant
- TX-RAMP compliant
Compliance
- SOC 2 Type II
- HECVAT
- TX-RAMP
Huron Consulting Group
Company Information
Company Overview
Company Details
Key Value Propositions
- Expertise in diverse industries
- Client-focused insights
- Innovative strategies for transformation
- Commitment to sustainability and CSR
Industries Served
Technical Information
Summary
Huron offers managed services and outsourcing solutions tailored to client needs, focusing on operational scalability, cost reduction, and process efficiency. The offering includes specialized support for revenue cycle management, digital platforms, research administration, and solution sustainability.
Overview
Huron's Managed Services & Outsourcing provides trusted support and customized solutions to help organizations scale operations, reduce costs, and streamline processes, enabling teams to focus on key initiatives.
Best For
Large research universities and academic medical centers. Provides end-to-end proposal, award, and agreements management with streamlined post-award tasks like setup, charging, invoicing, and reporting [1], [2]. Broad R1 adoption and modern cloud architecture support complex portfolios [3].
Key Features
- Revenue cycle managed services for healthcare organizations
- Solution Sustainability as a Service for digital transformation
- Research office support to manage administrative, financial, and regulatory burdens
- Digital managed services for cloud platform and technology support
- Flexible business and staffing models
Key Benefits
- Scale operations efficiently
- Reduce operational costs
- Streamline business processes
- Enable internal teams to focus on strategic initiatives
- Flexible business and staffing models
- Customized solutions aligned with digital ecosystem and culture
Who Is It For
- Healthcare organizations
- Academic health systems
- Research institutions
- Organizations seeking to expand research portfolios
- Organizations undergoing digital transformation
- Organizations needing to streamline operations and reduce costs
Use Cases
- Redesigning hospital patient billing offices to improve cash flow and staff engagement
- Stabilizing financial operations in healthcare through managed services collaborations
- Supporting research administration and sponsored research management
- Providing ongoing support for digital platforms and cloud solutions
Features & Modules
Managed Services
We provide trusted support and customized solutions that empower you to scale your operations, reduce costs, and streamline processes while offering your teams the flexibility to focus on key initiatives.
How We Help You
- Revenue cycle managed services
- Solution Sustainability as a Service
- Huron Research Office
- Digital Managed Services
Revenue cycle managed services
Solution Sustainability as a Service
We develop unique solutions aligned with the needs of your digital ecosystem and culture to support you along every step of your transformation journey.
Attract, Train and Retain Skilled Employees
InfoEd Global
Company Information
Company Overview
Company Details
Key Value Propositions
- Turnkey solutions for research management
- Cost savings via improved data integrity
- Accelerated compliance processes
Industries Served
Technical Information
Social Links & Discovery
Target Customers
Summary
The Pre Award Grants Management Software provides a comprehensive, web-based solution for managing pre-award grant administration, including proposal development, sub-recipient management, compliance, and workflow automation. It integrates with institutional systems and supports electronic submissions to sponsors, including US Federal agencies via Grants.gov.
Overview
InfoEd Global’s Pre Award Grants Management Software is an enterprise platform designed to help institutions manage their grants and contracts portfolio throughout the entire lifecycle, from pre-award to post-award. The system streamlines research administration, supports proposal development, and integrates with other research administration modules to facilitate compliance, collaboration, and efficient workflow.
Best For
Research-intensive universities seeking a mature eRA platform with SPIN funding search, S2S submissions, and strong post-award features. InfoEd spans pre- through post-award and integrates with institutional financial systems for forecasting, re-budgeting, and invoicing [1], [2], [3].
Key Features
- Web-based portal for preparing applications for any sponsor, including system-to-system (S2S) submission to Grants.gov
- Support for all agencies and forms for S2S submission
- Internal funding and limited submission competition management
- Simultaneous multi-user access to application records
- Customizable data collection forms and standard Grants.gov forms
- Automatic population of institutional data (UEI, EIN, etc.)
- Automatic population of personnel profile and COI status
- Real-time linking of human, animal, or environmental safety protocols
- Automated data checking and validation for electronic submissions
- Integration with NIH’s pre-submission validation web service
- Comprehensive budget development tools (fringe, inflation, F&A, cost sharing, account codes, multiple versions)
- Sub-award and sub-recipient risk analysis and monitoring (Entity Management module)
- Electronic routing of proposals for internal review with adaptive pathways
- Ad hoc reporting system with user security and automated report delivery
- Business intelligence and analytics tools for trend analysis
- Automated workflow management and task alerts
- Full integration with InfoEd’s electronic research administration suite
Key Benefits
- Streamlines the research administration process
- Supports efficient and compliant proposal development
- Facilitates collaboration among multiple users
- Automates data validation and compliance checks
- Integrates with institutional HR and compliance systems
- Provides robust reporting and analytics
- Enhances support for investigators and administrators
Who Is It For
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Research administrators
- Principal investigators
- Sponsored research offices
- Compliance officers
Modules
Proposal Development Module
Entity Management Module
Features & Modules
Pre-Award Grant Administration Software Enterprise Platform
InfoEd Global’s sponsored projects eRA system helps institutions manage their Grants and Contracts portfolio through the entire lifecycle from Pre-award Grants through to Post-Award Grant Management.
Pre-Award Grants Administration
Pre-award grants management needs are supported with our Proposal Development module in concert with our SPIN funding opportunities system and Conflicts of Interest module. Sub-recipient and sub-award management systems facilitate external collaborations in conformance with sponsor and institutional policies.
Pre-Award Grant Management Enterprise Platform
Our pre-award grant management enterprise platform provides flexible electronic proposal review, security services, integrated communications tools, reporting and analytics, as well as integration with your institutional human resources system to ensure up-to-date personnel data are available to speed proposal and budget development.
Proposal Development Module
Web-based, online portal for preparing applications for any sponsor including US Federal agencies accepting applications through Grants.gov. All agencies and forms are supported for system-to-system (S2S) submission. Collect applications for internal funding/limited submission competitions. Multiple users can simultaneously access the application record to link personnel, build budgets, upload documents for the grant approval network.
Pre-Award Grants Management Software Suite
- Customized Data Collection Forms– Use customized data collection forms in addition to standard data collection screens for Grants.gov forms.
- Automatically Populate Standard Institutional Data: Automatically populate standard institutional data (UEI, EIN, etc.) into new proposals.
- Automatically Populate Profile Information – Populate stored profile information and current COI case status automatically when personnel are added to proposals.
- Link Safety & Research Protocols Real-Time – Human, animal, or environmental safety research protocols can easily be linked to proposals to display real-time status information.
- Pre-Award Data Checking and Validation – Automated data checking to confirm electronic submission/S2S applications conform with Grants.gov requirements. Integrated with NIH’s pre-submission validation web service to identify potential warnings and errors prior to submitting.
- Budget Development Tools – Comprehensive budget development tool automatically calculates fringe benefits, applies inflation, determines F&A, tracks cost sharing, and supports institutional account code budgeting if desired. Multiple budget versions can be saved.
- Sub-awards Recipient Analysis and Monitoring – Sub-awards and subprojects are fully supported. Sub-recipient risk analysis and sub-recipient monitoring features are included with our Entity Management module.
- Electronically Route Proposals Technology – Electronically route proposals for internal review via pre-defined pathways that can automatically recognize and adapt to proposal-specific criteria such as inclusion of human research participant activity meriting IRB notification.
- Ad-hoc Reporting System – Ad hoc reporting system with access to all system fields and UDFs (user-defined functions), ability to save report formats, apply custom formatting to report output, and schedule automated delivery of reports via email. User security is embedded in the reporting tool ensuring that each user can only access appropriate data.
- Analyze Business Intelligence Trends – Analyze and visualize trends in your institutional data using the included business intelligence and analytics tools.
- Workflow Management – Workflow management system automatically alerts users when tasks need attention.
- Integrated Electronic Research Administration – Fully integrated with our comprehensive electronic research administration suite and enterprise features that minimize redundancy and maximize productivity for pre-award grant administration.
Customer Testimonials
Having one integrated system Streamlined the Research Administration process and gave our investigators a higher level of support to everyone involved.
Allowing us to work in an efficient manner through the InfoEd system is made easier by a dedicated team that is dedicated and accessible. In the 16 years that I have worked in the system, federal regulations have markedly changed. InfoEd has maintained their high-level of service and is constantly looking to adapt and grow to the changing regulations.
Integrations
Available In
Security
- User security embedded in reporting tools to ensure appropriate data access
Compliance
- Supports compliance with sponsor and institutional policies
- Automated validation for Grants.gov requirements
- Integration with compliance modules (COI, safety protocols)
- Adapts to changing federal regulations
Workday
Company Information
Company Overview
Company Details
Contact Information
Trust & Compliance
Key Value Propositions
- Integrated software for finance and HR
- AI-driven functionalities
- Leader in financial planning software
Industries Served
Technical Information
Workday provides APIs for various functionalities including HR, finance, and analytics.
Social Proof
Customer Testimonials
Workday has transformed our finance operations.
Customer Reviews
"Workday provides a seamless HR experience from onboarding to payroll."
Trusted By
Case Studies
Medidata Saves $1M+ Annually
Medidata
Find out how Medidata saves $1M+ annually in costs with a unified system.
Read Case StudySummary
Workday Workforce Management automates and simplifies workforce operations by providing a unified platform for scheduling, time and attendance, and absence management. It leverages AI automation to empower workers and managers, delivers actionable insights for workforce optimization, and supports operational agility for organizations of all sizes.
Overview
Workday Workforce Management is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline day-to-day people operations, including scheduling, time tracking, absence management, and more. It is built to support organizations managing global workforces, frontline teams, or any workforce configuration in between.
Best For
Institutions standardizing on Workday for finance who want embedded grant accounting and real-time PI dashboards. Workday Grants provides compliance controls, effort certification, and integrated reporting across finance/HR/payroll, with investigator and analyst dashboards for award tracking [1], [2], [3].
Key Features
- AI-powered automation with Workday Illuminate™
- Flexible platform for dynamic workforce needs
- Visual dashboards for labor cost, salary, and overtime
- Time and Scheduling Hub for unified time tracking, scheduling, and absence
- Self-service scheduling and shift management for workers
- Automated schedule creation
- Operational analytics and demand forecasting
- Labor optimization tools
Key Benefits
- Streamlines scheduling, time tracking, and absence management in one solution
- Automates repetitive, time-consuming tasks
- Empowers frontline workers with self-service tools
- Provides actionable insights into workforce costs and trends
- Supports compliance with labor legislation
- Enables operational agility and resource flexibility
- Consolidates multiple systems into a single platform
Who Is It For
- Organizations managing global workforces
- Frontline teams
- Businesses seeking to consolidate workforce systems
- Managers and HR professionals
- Industries with hourly workers
Use Cases
- Consolidating multiple payroll and workforce systems
- Enabling self-service workflows for employees
- Scaling workforce operations with data-driven insights
- Reducing paper forms and manual processes
Features & Modules
WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
WHAT SETS US APART
Innovations that pave the way for your people. AI automation saves time. Our next-gen AI, Workday Illuminate™, helps empower workers and automate processes for managers. Meet your dynamic workforce needs. Whether you need to move resources around or set up new processes, our flexible platform makes it possible. Move fast with actionable insights. Visualize workforce costs and trends while identifying ways to optimize your people and operations—all in one place. Clock in and clock out, like clockwork. Our people-first platform empowers frontline workers with tools to easily set their schedules and add or drop shifts.
- AI automation with Workday Illuminate™
- Flexible platform for dynamic workforce needs
- Actionable insights for workforce optimization
- Empowers frontline workers with scheduling tools
WHAT YOU CAN DO
WHO SUCCEEDS WITH US
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Workforce management FAQs.
- Key functions: Measuring working time and absences, forwarding data to HR systems, compliance, automated scheduling.
- Business scenarios: Single connected system, personalized worker experience, labor cost insights, streamlined manager experience.
- Definition: Managing operational deployment of hourly workers and providing operational agility.
- Functions: Time tracking, automated scheduling, labor optimization, analytics, automation, demand forecasting, absence management.
- Choosing a solution: Define business drivers, goals, challenges, and objectives.
RESOURCES
Data Quality & Transparency
Our Ranking Methodology
How we rank these offerings
We ranked these Top 5 Research Accounting and Sponsored Project Tracking Platforms for Streamlined Grant Management using a weighted scoring formula: Integration Capabilities (35%), Compliance and Security Features (35%), User Experience and Support (30%). N/A values receive 0 points. The Cayuse Suite scored highest with 94.5 due to robust integration options, leading security/compliance certifications, and strong user experience/support. Companies with N/A values had reduced maximum scores.
Ranking Criteria Weights:
Seamless integration is crucial for efficient workflows and accurate data synchronization in research administration.
Strong compliance and security elements are vital in managing sensitive grant data and adhering to federal regulations.
A user-friendly interface and responsive support significantly enhance adoption and daily operations in complex grant management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the typical costs and pricing models for research accounting and sponsored project tracking platforms?
- The pricing models for these platforms often include subscription-based fees, which may be tiered based on the size of the institution or the number of users. For instance, The Cayuse Suite and Managed Services & Outsourcing offer scalable solutions that allow for different institutional sizes and needs, suggesting flexible pricing structures. Furthermore, costs could include initial setup fees, customization, and ongoing support. The total cost of ownership should consider potential savings in administrative time and compliance risk mitigation.
- What are the key selection criteria and considerations when choosing a research administration platform?
- Selection criteria should focus on whether the platform supports both pre-award and post-award functionalities, such as those offered by The Cayuse Suite and Workforce Management. Consider the integration capabilities with existing financial systems, as highlighted by Research Administration. Additionally, investigator-friendly features and the ability to streamline workflows while ensuring compliance, as provided by Workforce Management, are critical. Flexibility in configuration and support for complex research enterprises, like those offered by Managed Services & Outsourcing, are also important factors.
- What industry standards and compliance requirements should research accounting platforms address?
- Industry standards for these platforms include compliance with federal regulations like the Uniform Guidance for federal award management. Platforms like The Cayuse Suite emphasize centralized data management to facilitate audit readiness and compliance tracking. Managed Services & Outsourcing further enhances compliance through streamlined workflows designed for complex research enterprises. Tools need to offer robust compliance controls and real-time visibility to aid in meeting these regulatory requirements, as showcased by the features in Workforce Management.
- What are common implementation challenges of research administration systems, and what solutions exist?
- Common challenges include data migration, user training, and integration with existing systems. Research Administration systems address these by offering configurable solutions that can align with current workflows and financial integrations. Pre Award Grants Management Software often supports phased implementations to minimize disruptions and allow gradual adaptation to new processes. Additionally, choosing platforms like Managed Services & Outsourcing, which emphasize improved compliance and workflow streamlining, can reduce the impact of these challenges.
- How can research accounting platforms deliver ROI and value to institutions?
- ROI from these systems is realized through enhanced efficiency in managing grant processes, reduced administrative costs, and mitigation of compliance risks. Platforms like Managed Services & Outsourcing improve both pre- and post-award efficiency, freeing up valuable research time for investigators. The Cayuse Suite and Workforce Management provide tools for real-time visibility into funding, allowing for better financial control and strategic decision-making. Moreover, integrating effort certification and compliant reporting as offered by Workforce Management can prevent costly regulatory repercussions.
Our Promise: We promise to deliver the highest quality company and offering data, free from sponsored bias. We compile data from across the internet, to give the most accurate and true rankings, according to our transparent algorithms.