Research Grants Management System

The University currently uses Unit 4 Agresso Research Costing and Pricing (ARCP) as its research grant management system and costing tool. It provides valuable data and reports as part of Aston's pre- and post-award grants processes and houses the approvals process via an automated system in Agresso. The tool also functions as a storage facility for application and award paperwork, tax liabilities and due diligence. All research reporting using PowerBI is underpinned by data held in ARCP.

Due to Unit 4 issuing an end-of-life announcement, ARCP will no longer be supported or maintained from 31st December 2026. Without a timely viable alternative, there is a significant risk that the university would not be compliant with Cyber Essentials and critical business activities would grind to a halt.

The ARCP system is used by Research and Enterprise and Research Finance, and provides information for the Finance Director, College Deans, and Vice Chancellor.

Given the end-of life announcement for ARCP, the teams want to use this opportunity to find a solution that can deliver improved automation, collaboration and reporting across the teams involved in pre-award and post-award research funding enhancing strategic operations