The three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) have embarked on a project to improve their grants management system to better support applicants, administrators and reviewers.
Overview of TGMS
Why do the granting agencies need a new grants management system?
The agencies’ existing grants management systems operate on dated technology and are limited in their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the research community.
Current systems are complex and vary across different funding opportunities, which can be burdensome for users.
What is envisioned for TGMS?
TGMS will be a one stop shop for users to search for funding opportunities, apply, learn the status of their application, and receive their funds. Applicants to all funding opportunities across the three agencies will use TGMS. Users will also be able to log in and create a profile, upload or create their CV, and submit reports and amendment requests, for example.
Through ongoing community and industry engagement, the TGMS team is working to ensure the solution aligns with this vision:
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TGMS capabilities map - Text version
Client-facing capabilities
- Tri-agency searchable funding opportunity (FO) database (linked to FO design and funds commitment, which is part of support capabilities)
- Online portal (linked to self-service and self-help, which is part of grant management capabilities)
- Log in and create profile
- Select FO and apply online (linked to eligibility and completeness checks, which is part of grant management capabilities)
- Upload or create CV
- Review application status dashboard
- Access notice of decision, and terms and conditions
- Receive payment (linked to funds distribution management, which is part of support capabilities)
- Submit reports and amendment requests (linked to evaluation and monitoring, which is part of grant management capabilities)
Grant management capabilities
- Self-service and self-help
- Eligibility and completeness checks
- Assessment (linked to data analytics, which is part of support capabilities)
- Decision (linked to data analytics, which is part of support capabilities)
- Agreement (linked to access notice of decision and terms and conditions, which is part of client-facing capabilities, and linked to data analytics, which is part of support capabilities)
- Evaluation and monitoring (linked to data analytics, which is part of support capabilities)
- Close-out (completion of funding)
Support capabilities
- Funding opportunity design and funds commitment
- Data analytics
- Funds distribution management
- Data analytics
Discovery phase
The Discovery phase included engagement with the research community and industry experts, confirming a procurement approach, and receiving project and expenditure authorities to proceed with implementing the solution.
Implementation phase
The Implementation phase includes collaborating with users and the solution provider to build a solution that meets the needs of the research community , as well as onboarding funding opportunities. The agencies will continue to collaborate with users to design and implement the solution.
To ensure the project prioritizes research community perspectives, TGMS has also established two collaboration groups: the External advisory board and the External change agent network.
If you would like to get involved, please email tgms-sgsto@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.