Quick Overview
- 1#1: Cayuse - End-to-end platform for research administration, including proposal development, federal submissions, IRB, IACUC, and award management.
- 2#2: Kuali Research - Open-source suite for managing proposals, awards, conflict of interest, effort reporting, and research compliance.
- 3#3: Huron Research Administration - Comprehensive solution for grants lifecycle management, compliance, reporting, and research operations optimization.
- 4#4: InfoReady - Cloud platform for funding opportunity management, application workflows, reviews, and internal research awards.
- 5#5: Workday Grants Management - Integrated cloud-based grants module with finance, HR, and analytics for research funding administration.
- 6#6: Ellucian Banner Sponsored Programs - ERP module for sponsored projects including budgeting, invoicing, effort reporting, and compliance in higher ed.
- 7#7: Oracle PeopleSoft Grants - Grants lifecycle management solution within PeopleSoft ERP for proposal tracking, awards, and financial reporting.
- 8#8: Salesforce for Research Administration - Customizable CRM platform for research grant tracking, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance workflows.
- 9#9: Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager - Cloud-based tool for grant opportunity management, applications, payments, and performance reporting.
- 10#10: Submittable - Platform for streamlined application collection, peer review, and decision-making in research funding processes.
These tools were chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of feature depth (from proposal lifecycle to compliance), user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of research administration teams.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right research administration software is key to streamlining grant management, compliance, and operational efficiency. This comparison table features tools like Cayuse, Kuali Research, Huron Research Administration, InfoReady, and Workday Grants Management, among others, comparing their core features, strengths, and ideal use cases. Readers will discover critical insights to match their organization’s specific needs and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cayuse End-to-end platform for research administration, including proposal development, federal submissions, IRB, IACUC, and award management. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Kuali Research Open-source suite for managing proposals, awards, conflict of interest, effort reporting, and research compliance. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Huron Research Administration Comprehensive solution for grants lifecycle management, compliance, reporting, and research operations optimization. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | InfoReady Cloud platform for funding opportunity management, application workflows, reviews, and internal research awards. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Workday Grants Management Integrated cloud-based grants module with finance, HR, and analytics for research funding administration. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Ellucian Banner Sponsored Programs ERP module for sponsored projects including budgeting, invoicing, effort reporting, and compliance in higher ed. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Oracle PeopleSoft Grants Grants lifecycle management solution within PeopleSoft ERP for proposal tracking, awards, and financial reporting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 8 | Salesforce for Research Administration Customizable CRM platform for research grant tracking, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance workflows. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager Cloud-based tool for grant opportunity management, applications, payments, and performance reporting. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | Submittable Platform for streamlined application collection, peer review, and decision-making in research funding processes. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 |
End-to-end platform for research administration, including proposal development, federal submissions, IRB, IACUC, and award management.
Open-source suite for managing proposals, awards, conflict of interest, effort reporting, and research compliance.
Comprehensive solution for grants lifecycle management, compliance, reporting, and research operations optimization.
Cloud platform for funding opportunity management, application workflows, reviews, and internal research awards.
Integrated cloud-based grants module with finance, HR, and analytics for research funding administration.
ERP module for sponsored projects including budgeting, invoicing, effort reporting, and compliance in higher ed.
Grants lifecycle management solution within PeopleSoft ERP for proposal tracking, awards, and financial reporting.
Customizable CRM platform for research grant tracking, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance workflows.
Cloud-based tool for grant opportunity management, applications, payments, and performance reporting.
Platform for streamlined application collection, peer review, and decision-making in research funding processes.
Cayuse
enterpriseEnd-to-end platform for research administration, including proposal development, federal submissions, IRB, IACUC, and award management.
Cayuse 360, a unified platform that integrates all research administration functions into one ecosystem for end-to-end visibility and automation.
Cayuse is a cloud-based research administration platform that streamlines the entire research lifecycle, from proposal development and grant submissions to compliance management for IRB, IACUC, and conflicts of interest. It offers modular tools like Cayuse Sponsored Projects, Research Suite, and Export Controls, enabling seamless collaboration, automated workflows, and integration with ERP systems such as Workday and Banner. Designed for higher education and research institutions, Cayuse ensures regulatory compliance while boosting efficiency and reducing administrative burden.
Pros
- Comprehensive modular suite covering pre-award to post-award processes
- Robust compliance tools with real-time regulatory updates
- Seamless integrations with major ERP and financial systems
- Intuitive interface with strong user adoption rates
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing may be prohibitive for small institutions
- Initial configuration and data migration can require significant time
- Advanced custom reporting requires additional setup or support
Best For
Large research universities and medical centers handling high volumes of grants and complex compliance requirements.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on modules, users, and institution size; typically starts at $50,000+ annually with scalable subscriptions.
Kuali Research
specializedOpen-source suite for managing proposals, awards, conflict of interest, effort reporting, and research compliance.
Fully integrated, academia-specific modules for end-to-end research lifecycle and compliance in one platform
Kuali Research is a cloud-native suite of applications tailored for higher education research administration, managing the full lifecycle from proposal development and submission to award setup, spending, and closeout. It includes specialized modules for compliance areas like IRB, IACUC, conflict of interest (COI), and effort certification. The platform emphasizes modularity, no-code configuration, and seamless integrations with ERP systems such as Banner, PeopleSoft, and Workday.
Pros
- Comprehensive modular suite covering proposals, awards, and multi-faceted compliance
- Robust integrations with financial and HR systems common in academia
- Modern, configurable UI with strong reporting and analytics
Cons
- Lengthy implementation and onboarding process
- Enterprise-level pricing not suited for small institutions
- Steep learning curve for complex workflows
Best For
Large research universities and academic medical centers managing high-volume grants, awards, and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscriptions based on modules and institution size; typically $150K–$1M+ annually.
Huron Research Administration
enterpriseComprehensive solution for grants lifecycle management, compliance, reporting, and research operations optimization.
Seamless bidirectional integration with ERP systems for automated financial drawdowns and reporting
Huron Research Administration, offered by Huron Consulting Group, is an enterprise-grade platform tailored for higher education and healthcare research institutions to manage the full research lifecycle. It provides modules for grant proposal development, award setup and management, compliance monitoring, effort reporting, and financial reconciliation. The solution emphasizes integration with ERP systems like Workday and Banner, enabling streamlined workflows and regulatory adherence.
Pros
- Comprehensive end-to-end research lifecycle management
- Strong ERP and financial system integrations
- Robust compliance and audit tools with real-time reporting
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring consulting support
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High cost with custom pricing model
Best For
Large research universities and medical centers seeking scalable, integrated enterprise solutions for complex grant portfolios.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; annual subscriptions typically range from $150,000+ based on institution size and modules.
InfoReady
specializedCloud platform for funding opportunity management, application workflows, reviews, and internal research awards.
No-code drag-and-drop workflow builder for rapid customization without IT dependency
InfoReady is a cloud-based research administration platform that automates workflows for grant proposals, award management, IRB submissions, and compliance reviews in academic and research institutions. It features customizable electronic forms, multi-stage routing, and real-time collaboration tools to streamline approvals and reduce administrative bottlenecks. With strong audit trails and reporting capabilities, it ensures regulatory adherence while integrating with enterprise systems like ERP and HRIS.
Pros
- Highly customizable no-code workflows for complex processes
- Robust compliance tracking and audit trails
- Strong integrations with systems like Workday, Banner, and Salesforce
Cons
- Steep initial configuration learning curve for admins
- Enterprise pricing can be costly for smaller institutions
- Reporting lacks some advanced analytics depth
Best For
Mid-to-large research universities managing high-volume, multi-stage grant and compliance workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on institution size and modules; typically starts at $50,000+ annually for mid-sized users.
Workday Grants Management
enterpriseIntegrated cloud-based grants module with finance, HR, and analytics for research funding administration.
End-to-end grants lifecycle management fully embedded within a single ERP platform, eliminating data silos across finance, HR, and research ops
Workday Grants Management is a cloud-based module within the Workday enterprise platform, tailored for research institutions to streamline the full grants lifecycle from pre-award proposals to post-award closeout. It provides tools for budgeting, award management, compliance tracking, effort certification, and sponsor reporting, all integrated with Workday's core finance and HR systems. This ensures unified data visibility and reduces silos in research administration operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Workday Finance and HR for unified data and workflows
- Robust compliance tools including effort reporting and federal sponsor requirements
- Real-time dashboards and analytics for grant performance monitoring
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity for smaller institutions
- Steep learning curve due to enterprise-level customization needs
- Limited flexibility for non-Workday users without full platform adoption
Best For
Large research universities and institutions already invested in the Workday ecosystem seeking integrated grants management.
Pricing
Subscription-based with custom pricing typically $100-$200+ per FTE/month, plus significant implementation fees; requires vendor quote.
Ellucian Banner Sponsored Programs
enterpriseERP module for sponsored projects including budgeting, invoicing, effort reporting, and compliance in higher ed.
Native integration with Banner Finance for real-time grant expenditure tracking and automatic effort certification
Ellucian Banner Sponsored Programs is a module within the Banner ERP suite tailored for higher education institutions to manage the full lifecycle of sponsored research, including proposal development, award setup, budgeting, and compliance. It provides tools for tracking expenditures, effort reporting, subaward management, and generating required federal reports like those under Uniform Guidance. Deeply integrated with Banner Finance and HR modules, it ensures data consistency across financial and personnel systems for accurate grant administration.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Banner Finance and HR for unified data management
- Robust compliance tools for federal regulations and sponsor reporting
- Scalable for large research universities with complex grant portfolios
Cons
- Outdated interface with a steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- High implementation and customization costs
- Limited flexibility for non-Banner users or modern cloud-native workflows
Best For
Large higher education institutions already invested in the Banner ERP ecosystem needing integrated research administration.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing, typically part of Banner suite contracts starting at $500K+ annually based on institution size and modules; not publicly listed.
Oracle PeopleSoft Grants
enterpriseGrants lifecycle management solution within PeopleSoft ERP for proposal tracking, awards, and financial reporting.
Advanced effort certification and reporting with automated workflows for federal compliance (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance)
Oracle PeopleSoft Grants is an enterprise-class module within the PeopleSoft ERP suite, designed specifically for research administration to manage the full grants lifecycle from proposal development to closeout. It handles budgeting, award management, project costing, billing, accounts receivable, effort reporting, and compliance reporting for sponsored projects. Deeply integrated with PeopleSoft Financials and HR modules, it supports complex funding structures common in universities and research institutions.
Pros
- Comprehensive end-to-end grants lifecycle management including federal compliance tools
- Seamless integration with Oracle PeopleSoft Finance and HR for unified operations
- Scalable for large-scale research organizations with high-volume grant portfolios
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface due to legacy architecture
- Lengthy and costly implementation requiring significant customization
- Limited flexibility for smaller institutions without full PeopleSoft ecosystem
Best For
Large universities and research institutions with complex, high-volume sponsored projects needing robust ERP integration.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing model; custom quotes starting at $500K+ annually depending on modules, users, and deployment (on-premise or cloud).
Salesforce for Research Administration
enterpriseCustomizable CRM platform for research grant tracking, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance workflows.
Einstein AI-powered grant success predictions and automated compliance risk assessments
Salesforce for Research Administration is a customizable CRM platform tailored for higher education and research institutions to manage grants, proposals, awards, and compliance processes like IRB and conflict of interest tracking. It leverages the Salesforce ecosystem to provide end-to-end research lifecycle management, from pre-award planning to post-award reporting and financial tracking. The solution integrates seamlessly with financial systems, Grants.gov, and other enterprise tools, enabling data-driven decisions and automation.
Pros
- Highly customizable with low-code tools for research-specific workflows
- Robust integrations with ERP, financials, and government portals
- Advanced reporting, dashboards, and Einstein AI for predictive analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring Salesforce expertise and training
- High upfront implementation and customization costs
- Subscription pricing can be prohibitive for smaller research organizations
Best For
Large universities and research institutions with complex grant portfolios needing scalable, enterprise-grade customization and integrations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at $150-$400 per user/month, plus one-time implementation fees often exceeding $100K depending on scale.
Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager
specializedCloud-based tool for grant opportunity management, applications, payments, and performance reporting.
Integrated grantee and applicant portals with real-time collaboration and automated notifications
Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager is a cloud-based platform that streamlines the full grant lifecycle for grantmakers and grantees, including opportunity management, application review, award tracking, and reporting. It offers customizable workflows, collaboration tools, and portals for applicants and grantees to enhance efficiency. For research administration, it supports grant proposal management, compliance monitoring, and post-award administration but lacks deep integration with specialized research tools like IRB or protocol management systems.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop workflow customization
- Robust reporting and analytics for grant tracking and insights
- Secure portals for grantees and applicants to submit and monitor progress
Cons
- Limited native integrations with research-specific systems like financial or compliance tools
- Pricing scales quickly for larger organizations or high-volume users
- Customization requires initial setup time and expertise
Best For
Mid-sized research institutions or foundations seeking a user-friendly grant management solution for end-to-end lifecycle without complex research protocol needs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $10,000-$25,000 annually depending on users, funds under management, and features.
Submittable
specializedPlatform for streamlined application collection, peer review, and decision-making in research funding processes.
Advanced blind and collaborative review workflows with automated scoring and feedback distribution
Submittable is a cloud-based platform specializing in submission management, enabling organizations to collect, review, and award applications for grants, scholarships, and research funding opportunities. For research administration, it provides customizable forms, automated workflows for reviewer assignments, and collaboration tools to streamline the grant application review process. It supports reporting on submission metrics and integrates with tools like Salesforce for enhanced data management, though it focuses more on intake and evaluation than full financial tracking.
Pros
- Highly customizable forms and workflows for grant applications
- Strong collaboration tools for reviewers with blind review options
- User-friendly interface for both applicants and administrators
Cons
- Limited native support for financial compliance and award disbursement
- Reporting lacks depth for complex research metrics compared to specialized tools
- Pricing scales quickly with submission volume, less ideal for small teams
Best For
Mid-sized research institutions or foundations focused on managing grant application intake and peer review processes.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$10,000/year for basic plans, with tiers scaling based on submission volume, users, and enterprise features.
Conclusion
The reviewed research administration tools showcase a range of strengths, with Cayuse emerging as the top choice due to its end-to-end functionality spanning proposal development, submissions, and award management. Kuali Research stands as a strong open-source alternative, excelling in flexibility and compliance, while Huron Research Administration impresses with its focus on grants lifecycle optimization and operational efficiency. Each tool caters to distinct needs, ensuring professionals can find a solution that aligns with their specific research administration goals.
Don’t miss the chance to elevate your research operations—start exploring Cayuse, the top-ranked tool, to experience streamlined processes and comprehensive support tailored for modern research management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison