UFIRST Awards implementation goes live July 5

On July 5, the final phase of the UFIRST implementation will be complete when the awards module of the system is launched. In an effort to significantly improve the way it administers research, the Office of Research introduced the University of Florida Integrated Research Support Tool—or UFIRST—in the spring of 2015.

While the requirements for departments to provide essential data about new and modifications to awards are the same, research administrators will now enter this information directly into UFIRST rather than emailing this information to DSP Awards.

RSH282, the UFIRST Awards training course, is available beginning this month.  Register now to attend one of the many scheduled sessions beginning June 2.

Please note that the project expects a one-day system down-time on June 30, just prior to the July 5 launch of the new system. Some additional items to note:

• For all new awards set up after July 5, the current Award Compliance Form will be available via UFIRST. Principal investigators will be required to log into UFIRST to complete this form.
• In addition, the Conflict of Interest portion of this form is moving into UFIRST.  All key personnel on each award must certify their outside activities related to each award in UFIRST.
• A new “Viewer” role will be introduced that will provide increased transparency and ease of access to information. The new common workspace will ensure more accurate record-keeping and the elimination of the need to rekey information in the myUFL system, with the expectation of a reduction in discrepancies.

This final phase of the UFIRST implementation reflects an increased synergy and partnership between the Division of Sponsored Programs and the Contracts and Grants Office, both of which are now housed together under the Office of Research.

If you have questions or concerns, please email ufirst@research.ufl.edu.