ProposalCentral - Detailed Review

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ProposalCentral - Detailed Review Contents

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ProposalCentral - Product Overview

ProposalCentral Overview

ProposalCentral is a comprehensive cloud-based platform that streamlines the entire grants management process, making it an essential tool for researchers, institutions, and funding organizations.

Primary Function

ProposalCentral’s primary function is to connect researchers with funding opportunities and automate the grants management lifecycle. It aggregates grant opportunities from hundreds of funders, allowing users to search for and apply for grants in one centralized location. The platform also manages the application process, tracks awards, and ensures that all stakeholders are informed and on track.

Target Audience

The target audience for ProposalCentral includes:

Researchers: Individuals seeking funding for their scientific efforts.
Institutions: Universities, research centers, and other organizations that manage grant applications and awards.
Funding Organizations: Non-profit, government, and private entities that provide grants for various research areas such as health, biomedical, and scientific research.

Key Features

Grant Discovery and Application

Users can search for funding opportunities from multiple organizations in one place and receive alerts for new funding postings.

Automation and Management

The platform automates manual application tasks, checks for errors, and keeps users on track through the entire grants process from submission to award.
It includes features like due date tracking, automated email reminders, and built-in signature controls to streamline the approval process.

Collaboration and Reporting

ProposalCentral allows users to add collaborators to their programs and ensures each team member’s contribution is recognized through ORCID integration.
It provides tools for financial reporting, impact measurement, and generating performance reports for donors and boards.

Centralized Dashboard and Notifications

Institutions can manage their profile, enter invention data, review and sign off on researcher applications, and track all awards and applications from a single dashboard.
Automated notifications keep users informed about new applications, pending tasks, and important proposal dates.

Security and Compliance

The platform ensures confidential information is secure and maintains a centralized database for all grant-related information.

Overall, ProposalCentral simplifies the grants management process, allowing researchers and institutions to focus more on their scientific work and less on administrative tasks.

ProposalCentral - User Interface and Experience

ProposalCentral Overview

ProposalCentral, a cloud-based grants management platform, is designed to provide a user-friendly and efficient interface for both researchers and funders.

User Interface

The user interface of ProposalCentral is streamlined and intuitive. Here are some key aspects:

Streamlined Workflows: The platform automates many manual tasks, such as application processing, payment scheduling, and report generation, making the workflow efficient and easy to manage.
Clear Navigation: Users can easily search for funding opportunities, apply for grants, and manage their applications through a straightforward and organized interface. Automated notifications and error checking ensure that users stay on track.
Integration with ORCID: ProposalCentral integrates with Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID), allowing users to maintain a comprehensive profile of their past publications, research works, and funding history with a single login.

Ease of Use

The platform is built with simplicity in mind:

Automated Tasks: Features like automated email reminders for pending tasks and automated error checking reduce the burden on users, making the application and management process smoother.
Centralized Database: All grant-related information is stored in a centralized database, making it easy to access and manage data. This centralization also helps in maintaining accuracy and security.
Mobile Support: ProposalCentral is accessible on mobile devices, including Android, iPad, and iPhone, ensuring users can manage their tasks on the go.

Overall User Experience

The overall user experience is positive, as indicated by user reviews:

User-Friendly: Users appreciate the intuitive nature of the platform, which simplifies the grants management process from application to award.
Efficiency: By automating many tasks, ProposalCentral allows users to spend more time on research and less on administrative tasks, enhancing productivity.
Support: The platform offers comprehensive support options, including chat, FAQs/forum, email/help desk, phone support, and a knowledge base, ensuring that users get the help they need promptly.

Conclusion

In summary, ProposalCentral offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the grants management process, making it easier for researchers and funders to manage their tasks efficiently. The automation of various tasks and the integration with ORCID further enhance the user experience.

ProposalCentral - Key Features and Functionality

ProposalCentral Overview

ProposalCentral, developed by Altum, is a comprehensive cloud-based software that streamlines the entire grants management lifecycle for research and funding institutions. Here are the main features and how they benefit users, with a focus on AI integration:

Grants Management Lifecycle Automation

ProposalCentral automates the entire process from application to award, making it easier for funders to manage grants efficiently. This automation includes application processing, review, award, and closeout processes, providing a holistic view of the entire grants management cycle.

AI-Based Decision Support Tools

The platform uses AI to help funders identify the best researchers and applicants quickly. These tools analyze applications to highlight critical requirements and assess the fit of applicants with the funding criteria, enabling smarter investment decisions.

Collaboration and Assignment Management

ProposalCentral allows organizations to create assignments and collaborate with researchers effectively. It facilitates the scheduling of payments and the generation of performance reports for donors and boards, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Performance Reporting and Impact Measurement

The software generates detailed performance reports and provides insights into the impact of research programs. This feature helps funders and boards understand the outcomes and effectiveness of their funding, enabling better decision-making.

Integration with ORCID

ProposalCentral integrates with Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID), allowing institutions to track and maintain records of applicants’ past publications and research works. This integration helps in evaluating the long-term impact of funding programs.

Automated Notifications and Reminders

The platform provides automated notifications about applicants’ approval status and sends email reminders for pending tasks, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and on track.

Configurable Workflow and Approval Process Control

Using AI, ProposalCentral allows supervisors to configure approval workflows, giving them visibility into potential outcomes or results of applicants. This feature ensures that the approval process is efficient and transparent.

Financial Reporting and Payment Tracking

The software includes financial reporting and payment tracking features, enabling funders to manage financial aspects of grants effectively. This ensures that all financial transactions are recorded and tracked accurately.

Search and Analytics

ProposalCentral offers robust search capabilities that match terms, ingest documents, and discover relationships within the research ecosystem. It also provides built-in reporting, advanced analytics, and evaluation data to help funders make informed decisions.

Cloud-Based Management

Being a cloud-native solution, ProposalCentral requires no customization and can be deployed immediately. All feature enhancements are automatically available, ensuring users always have the latest version of the solution.

Support and Training

The platform comes with built-in support and training, which includes handling calls from applicants at deadlines. This ensures that users have the necessary assistance to use the platform effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, ProposalCentral leverages AI to streamline grants management, enhance decision-making, and provide comprehensive visibility into the research ecosystem, making it an invaluable tool for funders and research institutions.

ProposalCentral - Performance and Accuracy

Performance

ProposalCentral is a cloud-based software that automates the entire grants management lifecycle, from application processing to fund allocation. Here are some performance highlights:

It utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to configure approval workflows, providing visibility into potential outcomes and results of applicants.
The platform allows for the creation of assignments, collaboration with researchers, scheduling of payments, and the generation of performance reports for donors and boards.
It integrates with Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) and Crossref DOIs, enabling accurate tracking of researchers’ outputs and the impact of funded research.

Accuracy

The accuracy of ProposalCentral is significantly enhanced by its integration with ORCID and Crossref:

ORCID IDs help in accurately identifying and tracking researchers, ensuring that their work and outputs are unambiguously linked.
Crossref ensures that every grant is clearly and uniquely identified, making it easier to understand the relationships between funding and impact.
The use of these identifiers facilitates more accurate reporting for institutions and funders, helping to establish clear connections between awardees, grants, publications, and patents.

Limitations and Areas for Improvement

While ProposalCentral offers several advanced features, there are a few areas where it could be improved:

User Support and Technical Issues: Users have reported various technical issues, such as difficulties accessing accounts, finding proposals, and uploading files. These issues highlight the need for robust technical support, which ProposalCentral does provide through multiple channels like email, phone, and FAQs.
API Availability: ProposalCentral does not offer an API, which might limit its integration with other systems and tools that users may already be using.
Customization and Flexibility: While the platform is highly configurable, some users might find the lack of an API and limited customization options beyond the provided features to be restrictive.

Engagement

ProposalCentral is well-regarded for its user-friendly interface and the efficiency it brings to the grants management process:

Users appreciate the automated workflows, reminders, and notifications that streamline the application and approval processes.
The platform’s ability to store award or grant-related information in a centralized database and provide real-time progress updates to funders enhances engagement and transparency.

In summary, ProposalCentral performs well in automating and streamlining the grants management process, with high accuracy due to its integration with ORCID and Crossref. However, areas such as technical support, API availability, and customization options could be areas for further improvement to enhance user experience and functionality.

ProposalCentral - Pricing and Plans

Pricing Model

ProposalCentral operates on a subscription-based pricing model, with a surprisingly low cost. The pricing starts at $0.01 per user per year.

Features Across Plans

While the primary source does not detail multiple tiers of plans, here are the key features that are generally available:

Grant Discovery: Allows users to search for funding opportunities from various funding organizations.
Grant Application Management: Enables the creation, submission, and tracking of grant proposals.
Grant Award Tracking: Tracks the status of submitted proposals, including awarded and archived proposals.
Reminders and Alerts: Provides automated notifications for pending tasks, deadlines, and new applications.
Approval Process Control: Includes built-in e-signature capabilities and approval workflows.
Payment Tracking: Manages financial aspects, including scheduling payments and generating financial reports.
Collaboration Tools: Facilitates collaboration between researchers and institution officials.
Impact Measurement: Helps evaluate the impact of research programs.
Reporting & Statistics: Generates performance reports for donors and boards.

Additional Features in ProposalCentral Plus

For institutions that require more advanced features, ProposalCentral offers a “ProposalCentral Plus” option. This includes:

Early access to proposals
Alerts for new applications
Automated notifications for overdue or pending deliverables
Enhanced control over institution profiles and approver information.

Free Options

There is no indication of a free plan or trial period available for ProposalCentral. The pricing is extremely low, starting at $0.01 per user per year, which makes it highly accessible.

Conclusion

In summary, ProposalCentral offers a simple, low-cost subscription plan with a comprehensive set of features to manage the entire grants management lifecycle, along with an optional “Plus” version for additional premium features.

ProposalCentral - Integration and Compatibility

ProposalCentral Overview

ProposalCentral, a cloud-based grants management platform, integrates seamlessly with various tools and offers compatibility across multiple platforms and devices, making it a versatile solution for research and funding institutions.

Integration with Other Tools

One of the key integrations of ProposalCentral is with Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID). This integration allows institutions to track and maintain a record of applicants’ past publications, research works, and other professional information. By linking ORCID IDs with ProposalCentral accounts, users can ensure accurate and up-to-date information about researchers, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing errors.

Platform and Device Compatibility

ProposalCentral is built as a cloud-native solution, which means it can be accessed and used on various devices without the need for customization. Here are some key points regarding its compatibility:

Web Access

ProposalCentral can be accessed via the web, making it available on any device with a web browser.

Mobile Devices

The platform supports Android, iPad, and iPhone devices, ensuring that users can manage grants and applications on the go.

Cloud-Based

Being cloud-based, ProposalCentral can be deployed immediately and does not require any local installation. All feature enhancements are automatically available, ensuring users are always on the latest version.

Automated Workflows and Notifications

The platform automates various workflows, such as application assignments, payment scheduling, and report generation. It also includes automated notifications and error checking to ensure grants are managed efficiently and accurately. These features help in maintaining seamless communication and collaboration within the research ecosystem.

Support and Training

ProposalCentral offers comprehensive support options, including chat, FAQs/forum, email/help desk, phone support, and a knowledge base. This ensures that users can get assistance whenever needed, making the integration and use of the platform smoother.

Conclusion

In summary, ProposalCentral integrates well with tools like ORCID and is compatible with a range of devices and platforms, making it a highly accessible and efficient grants management solution.

ProposalCentral - Customer Support and Resources

ProposalCentral Support Overview

ProposalCentral, a leading grants management platform, offers a comprehensive range of customer support options and additional resources to ensure users can effectively manage their grants processes.

Customer Support

Phone Support

Users can contact ProposalCentral via toll-free numbers in the U.S. and Canada (1-800-875-2562) or through a direct dial international number ( 1-703-964-5840).

Email Support

Customers can email the support team for assistance with various issues such as login problems, technical help, or application-related queries.

Chat Support

ProposalCentral provides chat support, allowing users to get immediate help with their questions and issues.

Help Desk

The platform includes an email/help desk option where users can submit their queries and receive support.

Additional Resources

Knowledge Base and FAQs/Forum

ProposalCentral has a knowledge base and FAQs section where users can find answers to common questions and issues. This self-service option helps users resolve problems quickly without needing to contact support.

Documentation and Guides

Detailed guides, such as the “How to Register as a ProposalCentral User” document, are available to help users through the registration and application process.

Training and Webinars

Users have access to various training methods including live online training, documentation, webinars, and videos. In-person training is also available, ensuring that users can choose the method that best suits their needs.

Technical Assistance

For specific technical issues, such as error messages during application uploads or accessing pages, users can reach out to the support team for technical help.

Integrated Support Features

ORCID Integration

ProposalCentral allows users to link their ORCID accounts, which simplifies the application process by automatically transferring relevant information from their ORCID records, reducing the need for repetitive data entry.

By providing these comprehensive support options and resources, ProposalCentral ensures that users can efficiently manage their grants applications and resolve any issues that may arise during the process.

ProposalCentral - Pros and Cons

Advantages of ProposalCentral

ProposalCentral, a cloud-based grants management platform, offers several significant advantages for research and funding institutions:

Streamlined Grants Management

ProposalCentral automates the entire grants management lifecycle, from application processing to fund allocation. This includes managing grant applications, reviewing submissions, tracking awards, and handling budget management and payment scheduling.

Collaboration and Communication

The platform provides robust collaboration tools, enabling researchers and funders to work together seamlessly. It allows for the assignment of reviewers, scoring and ranking of applications, and automated notifications for pending tasks and approval statuses.

Compliance and Security

ProposalCentral ensures compliance with various regulations through features like compliance management and contract/license management. It also offers a secure platform for data sharing and collaboration, protecting sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of research data.

Integration and Data Management

The software integrates with external systems, such as ORCID, to track and maintain records of applicants’ past publications and research works. It also provides comprehensive reporting and analytics, document management, and user access controls with audit trails.

Efficiency and Visibility

ProposalCentral uses AI technology to configure approval workflows and provide visibility into potential outcomes or results of applicants. This helps in evaluating the impact of research programs and generating performance reports for donors and boards.

Mobile Access and Support

The platform is accessible on mobile devices, including Android, iPad, and iPhone, and offers multiple support options such as chat, FAQs/forum, email/help desk, phone support, and a knowledge base.

Disadvantages of ProposalCentral

While ProposalCentral offers numerous benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

Cost

Although the pricing starts at a very low rate ($0.01 per user per year), the overall cost can add up depending on the number of users and the specific features required. This might be a consideration for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.

Limited Customization in Some Areas

While ProposalCentral offers customizable workflows and validation processes, some users might find that certain aspects of the platform are not as flexible as they need. For example, there is no API available for further customization.

Dependence on AI

While AI can streamline many processes, there is a risk of overreliance on automated systems. Ensuring that AI-driven decisions are accurate and unbiased is crucial, and ProposalCentral’s measures to redact demographic information and manage intellectual property are important in this regard.

Learning Curve

Implementing a comprehensive grants management system can require significant training and onboarding time. While ProposalCentral offers various support options, the initial setup and learning process might be time-consuming for some users.

Conclusion

ProposalCentral is a powerful tool for managing grants and research funding, offering a wide range of features that enhance efficiency, compliance, and collaboration. However, it is important to consider the potential costs, the need for careful management of AI-driven processes, and the initial learning curve when deciding to implement this platform.

ProposalCentral - Comparison with Competitors

When comparing ProposalCentral with other research tools in the grants management and research funding category, several key features and alternatives stand out.

Unique Features of ProposalCentral

ProposalCentral is a cloud-based software that automates the entire grants management lifecycle, from application processing to fund allocation. It uses AI to configure approval workflows and provide visibility into potential outcomes or results of applicants.
It allows organizations to create assignments, collaborate with researchers, schedule payments, and generate performance reports for donors and boards. The software also integrates with ORCID to track applicants’ past publications or research works.
Key features include grant discovery, grant application management, grant award tracking, payment tracking, and approval process control. It also offers financial reporting, due date tracking, and alerts/notifications.

Alternatives and Their Features

Evalato

Evalato is highly recommended as an alternative to ProposalCentral. It is comprehensive, customizable, and user-friendly, requiring no coding knowledge. Evalato is praised for its simplicity and UI friendliness, which saves valuable time. It is particularly good for managing grant applications and reviews.
Evalato integrates well with various systems and is known for its ease of use and strong customer support.

Akoya.net

Akoya.net is another strong alternative that integrates with the Microsoft Dynamics suite. It saves countless hours for foundations by streamlining workflows and providing real-time analytics. Users appreciate its seamless data integration and intuitive user interface.
Akoya.net is particularly useful for organizations already using Microsoft products, as it leverages existing infrastructure.

Flexi-Grant

Flexi-Grant is a flexible and customizable grants management system. It is known for its ease of use and the ability to manage complex grant processes efficiently. Flexi-Grant offers features such as application management, review processes, and reporting, making it a viable alternative to ProposalCentral.

G3 by Grantium

G3 is a powerful software that streamlines intricate grant management processes. It has an intuitive interface and advanced features that enhance user productivity. G3 is good for managing complex tasks and allowing users to focus on what truly matters.

Comparison Points

Integration and Compatibility: ProposalCentral stands out with its integration with ORCID, which is unique among its competitors. However, Akoya.net’s integration with Microsoft Dynamics is a significant advantage for organizations already using Microsoft tools.
User Interface and Ease of Use: Evalato is often praised for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, which is a key consideration for organizations looking to minimize the learning curve.
Customization and Flexibility: Flexi-Grant and G3 offer high levels of customization, which can be beneficial for organizations with specific needs or unique grant management processes.
AI and Automation: ProposalCentral’s use of AI for configuring approval workflows and predicting outcomes is a unique feature. However, other tools may not have this level of AI integration but still offer efficient automation of grant management tasks.

Conclusion

ProposalCentral is a strong choice for research and funding institutions due to its comprehensive features and AI-driven workflows. However, alternatives like Evalato, Akoya.net, Flexi-Grant, and G3 offer different strengths that might better align with specific organizational needs, such as ease of use, integration with existing systems, or customization options. When choosing a grants management tool, it is crucial to consider the specific requirements and preferences of your organization.

ProposalCentral - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about ProposalCentral

What is ProposalCentral?

ProposalCentral is a cloud-based software designed to automate the entire grants management lifecycle, from application processing to fund allocation. It helps research and funding institutions manage grants, collaborate with researchers, and track the impact of research programs.

What are the key features of ProposalCentral?

ProposalCentral offers a range of features, including grant application management, grant award tracking, payment tracking, financial reporting, collaboration tools, compliance management, and customizable workflows. It also includes automated notifications, reviewer assignment, scoring and ranking, and integration with external systems like ORCID.

What types of customers use ProposalCentral?

ProposalCentral serves a variety of customers, including freelancers, large enterprises, mid-size businesses, non-profit organizations, public administrations, and small businesses. It is particularly useful for research institutions and funding organizations.

What languages does ProposalCentral support?

ProposalCentral currently supports the English language.

Does ProposalCentral support mobile devices?

Yes, ProposalCentral is compatible with mobile devices, including Android, iPad, and iPhone.

What payment frequencies does ProposalCentral offer?

ProposalCentral offers a subscription-based pricing model, with payments typically made on a yearly basis. The basic plan starts at $0.01 per user per year.

Does ProposalCentral offer an API?

No, ProposalCentral does not have an API available for integration with other systems.

What level of support does ProposalCentral offer?

ProposalCentral provides several support options, including chat, FAQs/forum, email/help desk, phone support, and a knowledge base.

How does ProposalCentral handle compliance and regulatory requirements?

ProposalCentral includes features for compliance management, allowing institutions to ensure they meet regulatory requirements. It also collects and manages information such as human or animal subject assurances and demographic data.

Can ProposalCentral integrate with other systems?

Yes, ProposalCentral integrates with external systems such as ORCID, which helps institutions track and maintain records of applicants’ past publications or research works.

What is ProposalCentral Plus?

ProposalCentral Plus is an advanced version of the software that offers additional features, including early access to proposals, alerts for new applications, automated notifications for overdue or pending deliverables, and built-in e-signature capabilities. It is particularly beneficial for institution officials looking to boost grant management efficiency.

How does ProposalCentral help in managing institution profiles and applications?

ProposalCentral allows institutions to maintain their profiles centrally, ensuring consistent use of institution details and approver information across all applications. It also includes built-in signature controls and automated alerts to keep track of new grant-seeking efforts and important proposal dates.

ProposalCentral - Conclusion and Recommendation

Final Assessment of ProposalCentral

ProposalCentral is a comprehensive cloud-based software specifically designed to automate and streamline the entire grants management lifecycle, making it an invaluable tool for research and funding institutions.

Key Features and Benefits

ProposalCentral offers a wide range of features, including grant application management, grant award tracking, payment tracking, financial reporting, and collaboration tools. It also provides automated notifications, configurable workflows, and compliance management, which are crucial for maintaining efficiency and transparency in the grants process.
The software integrates with ORCID, allowing users to import data directly from ORCID records, which saves time and improves accuracy in filling out progress reports. This integration also provides a career dashboard view, giving funders an overview of funding received and research publications.
It enables supervisors to use AI technology to configure approval workflows and gain insights into potential outcomes, which can be particularly beneficial for evaluating the impact of research programs.

User Experience and Support

Users have praised ProposalCentral for its consistency in reporting, quick communication with awardees, and integration with other systems. However, some users have noted that the interface can be confusing to navigate due to the numerous menus and options, and the reporting functionality can be labor-intensive.

Customer Support

The customer support provided by ProposalCentral is highly regarded, with users appreciating the patience, professionalism, and accommodating nature of the support team.

Who Would Benefit Most

ProposalCentral is particularly beneficial for research institutions, funding organizations, and any entities involved in the grants management process. It is suitable for a wide range of businesses, including startups, SMBs, mid-market companies, and enterprises.

Overall Recommendation

For organizations seeking to streamline their grants management processes, improve collaboration, and enhance the efficiency of their funding cycles, ProposalCentral is a strong choice. Its integration with ORCID, AI-driven workflow configurations, and comprehensive reporting capabilities make it a valuable tool.
However, potential users should be aware of the potential learning curve due to the extensive features and menus. Despite this, the software’s benefits in terms of automation, compliance management, and data accuracy make it a worthwhile investment for those in the research and funding sectors.

In summary, ProposalCentral is a powerful tool that can significantly improve the grants management process, but it may require some time to fully utilize its extensive features. With its strong customer support and comprehensive functionalities, it is a recommended solution for those looking to enhance their grants management operations.