Web System for University Grant Administration
In June 2002, ASG began a project to develop a central relational database for tracking grants at the University of South Carolina. The result was Saturn, a grant administration software system that will help top grant administrators more quickly and easily manage data for funding research, proposal submission, and grant management.
The project created a single web repository to gather and store grant management information along with scanned documents, Microsoft Word files, spreadsheets, and archived data. The system also has a secure web interface for university personnel.
Keep track of changes to budget allocations.
With Saturn, grant managers are able to easily search and review data. They may also generate web-based reports for instant information summaries.
Principal investigators can register with the system to submit research proposals and Institutional Review Board proposals. They are also able to use the system to obtain necessary sign-offs for proposals and other forms via electronic approvals from multiple levels.
Saturn speeds and simplifies the grant notification process. Campus mail-based notifications are enhanced or replaced by automated electronic messaging within the system.
ASG designed USCERA, an implemenation of Saturn, for the Sponsored Programs and Research Office and the Office of Research Compliance. The new system will replace multiple older systems as well as extensive paper-based reporting and filing. USCERA is currently being used for grant submission at USC.
For an overview of Saturn, please watch our video presentation (Windows Media Player format).
Features of the Saturn System
Review and approve grant proposals online.
- Finds correct auxilliary forms automatically
- Routs proposals to signatories
- Notifies you of the status of your proposal
- Generates reports
- Simplifies fund allocation with a web-based interface
