RIMS Go-Live information for researchers

The first module of the University’s Research Information Management System (RIMS) went live on 1 September 2008, together with new and streamlined processes as part of the Research Management Program (RMP).

What is the purpose of RIMS?

RIMS will enable improved and standardised research grants management processes across the University throughout the lifecycle of a research funding application, successful award and project closure. It will also enable more timely and accurate reporting within and outside the University.

When will this affect me?

In the first instance RIMS will be used by the Research Office and Corporate Finance Research for the management of all active research projects with internal/external funding. In the near future RIMS will be used to manage Sydnovate initiated projects. Capturing data on stand alone research scholarships and research donations/bequests will also be considered. We will progressively provide RIMS access to researchers as well as Faculty/School based research managers, administrators and finance officers.

How will this affect me?

The next time that you apply for a research grant or receive funding or have a report/milestone due, you will receive email advice from the Research Office notifying you of relevant information regarding the status of your application or award, or the pending due date for a report/milestone. Where necessary we will be asking you for information, such as confirmation of acceptance of the award and high-level budget scoping of the awarded funding.

Every application/award will have a unique ‘RIMS Project ID’. This will be included in the email notification. We ask that you include this ID in all subsequent communication with the RO regarding your application/award. We are also in the process of having forms for University of Sydney ethics and other clearances updated to include this ID so that we can cross-reference with RIMS.

We have modified the Research Proposal Clearance Form (RPCF) to accommodate RIMS and new processes. Please use the new version.

We may also be in touch with you soon if we are missing important data for active projects such as the research codes (eg. RFCD, ABS) required for government reporting. It is very important to ensure that we have accurate and current data in RIMS to optimise the value of the reports that will now be available.

Please also note that any communications from the Research Office will be sent to the official university email address recorded in HR. If this is not the address you usually use, please set up a forward from the HR official address to the other address to ensure that you receive relevant communications.

Next steps?

Later this year we will be piloting another RIMS module in conjunction with the November ARC Linkage round. Amongst other things this module obtains electronically the sort of information currently sourced from the RO Research Proposal Clearance form. Next year we will be implementing the ‘Research Outputs’ modules for the collection and management of publications. The current collection of 2008 publications in the existing IRMA system will continue until that time. In 2010 we will be implementing modules to support processes for obtaining ethics and other clearances.

If you need any further information please check the website and/or .