RAIMS is a multi-year initiative to introduce modern technology and optimized business processes to support its research operations. Through a series of distinct, but integrated, modules - grants and contracts, ethics and regulatory compliance, resource management, and reporting – the RAIMS program will deliver many benefits, including:
- Access to real-time information and data to support proactive planning and decision-making
- Reduced administrative burden for all faculty, students, and staff who conduct, review, and support research
- Improved collaboration across the researchers stakeholder groups and community
- Confidence in our ongoing compliance with regulatory and funding organizations
Together, these outcomes strengthen our research enterprise and the impact of U of G’s research excellence and innovation.
Broad impact is anticipated across U of G, including faculty researchers, student researchers, various ethics boards and committees, and Research Services staff.
For any RAIMS program inquiries please contact RAIMSSupport@uoguelph.ca.
RAIMS Research Ethics Module
The first RAIMS module – a Research Ethics Online System (EthOS) - supports the application, review, and approval of research protocols involving human participants. The eagerly anticipated EthOS module replaces outdated forms and e-mail submission processes with a dynamic user interface, automated workflows, real-time status information, and an integrated administration platform on July 25, 2024.
RAIMS Animal Care Module
A second RAIMS module will replace the current (but approaching end-of-life) e-AUP system for the submission, review, and approval of Animal Use protocols. Although the original scope also included new software for Animal Research Facilities, that solution will be incorporated instead into future RAIMS releases.
Future RAIMS Modules
As the RAIMS roadmap evolves, future modules will be implemented to address ongoing compliance and risk management needs for Animal Research Facilities, Biohazard safety, conflict of interest, pre-award, and post-award research services.
Milestones and Timeline
2023
- ✅ RAIMS Business case
- ✅ Research Ethics Board (REB) Working Group report
- ✅ Release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for RAIMS Research Ethics software
- ✅ Selection of Infonetica’s Ethics Review Manager software for the RAIMS Research Ethics module
- ✅ Onboarding of RAIMS Program Manager
- ✅ Project kick-off for the RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
2024
- ✅ User Acceptance Testing of RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
- ✅ New role of Ethics Education & Compliance Advisor introduced in Research Ethics
- ✅ Onboarding of RAIMS Business Process and Change Management resources
- ✅ Release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the RAIMS - Animal Care module
- ✅ Launch date for RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS) announced
- ✅ Series of virtual Roadshows to preview the RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
- ✅ Deployment of RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
- ✅ Post-launch data migration of study protocols in the RAIMS Research Ethics module Sustainment/data migration for RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
- ✅ Sustainment/data migration for RAIMS Research Ethics module (EthOS)
- ✅ Evaluation of initial RFP responses the RAIMS - Animal Care module
- ✅ Current state assessment and documentation of Animal Care Services business processes
2025
- RAIMS project temporarily paused; current eAUP system receiving support
2026
RAIMS project resumes previous activities to replace current eAUP system. An updated RFP is planned for release during the Winter 2026 academic semester.
Project Team
The RAIMS Program is jointly sponsored by the Office of Research and Computing & Communications Services (CCS). The project team draws from broad representation of leadership and subject-matter expertise within these areas to ensure achievement of program objectives.