MyResearch Projects

About MyResearch Projects

MyResearch Projects is the second stage of the MyResearch system implementation. It is UQ’s new, enterprise-wide system for managing research funding and agreements for Research Grants, Research Consultancy, Contract Research, Non-funded Research Agreements and UQ Internal Initiatives administered by the Research Office. MyResearch Projects improves activities for both researchers and those who support them across the research lifecycle including the pre-award, acceptance and establishment, post-award management and close and reporting stages.

A key feature of the system is integration with other UQ systems such as UniFi, which ensures existing data such as partner organisations, research team members and financial details are available within the system.

What MyResearch Projects can do for you infographic

What is MyResearch Projects?

MyResearch Projects is UQ’s new, enterprise-wide system for managing research funding and agreements for Research Grants, Research Consultancy, Contract Research, Non-funded Research Agreements and UQ Internal Initiatives administered by the Research Office. It streamlines research administration, improves researcher experience, and supports UQ’s strategic goals by providing a modern, integrated, and sustainable research management solution.

Why the change?

The existing ResearchMaster system is outdated and no longer supported, creating significant operational risks. Research management processes have also become fragmented, relying on manual and inconsistent practices that limit visibility and efficiency. MyResearch Projects addresses these challenges by providing a unified, researcher-centric platform that streamlines administration, reduces duplication, saves time, and strengthens compliance.

Alignment with UQ Strategy

MyResearch Projects directly supports UQ’s 2025 Strategic Plan by simplifying operations and enabling evidence-based decision making. It enhances governance, compliance, and research integrity, while also improving the researcher experience through more transparent, streamlined, and efficient processes.

What’s Changing?

MyResearch Projects introduces a single, integrated platform for managing certifications, proposals, agreements, milestones, and variations. It replaces paper-based forms and manual processes with automated workflows, streamlining administration and reducing inefficiencies. The system also connects with UniFi, Workday, Reportal, TRIM, and ARC, while delivering user experience enhancements such as e-signatures through DocuSign and more advanced reporting capabilities.

What’s Staying the Same?

Researchers and support staff will continue to submit funding applications directly to funding bodies, with Head of Unit approvals remaining unchanged. Organisational roles and responsibilities are not affected, and existing research policies, governance structures, and key systems, such as UniFi, TRIM, UQRDM, UQ eSpace, Pivot-RP, and RIMS, will continue to operate alongside MyResearch Projects.

Benefits

For Researchers

Single system for all research funding applications, agreements, and request variations for Research Grants, Research Consultancy, Contract Research, Non-funded Research Agreements and UQ Internal Initiatives (Research Office Administered).

Real-time visibility of project and milestone status.

Simplified collaboration with local support and finance teams.

For Local Research Support & HoUs

Earlier visibility of applications.

Centralised approvals and streamlined reporting.

For Finance & Business Services

Automated chart string setup and billing milestones.

Direct integration into UniFi.

For Research Office

One system to administer competitive grants, consultancies, contracts, and non-funded agreements.

Greater oversight and compliance capability.

Enterprise-Level Benefits

Enhanced research integrity and compliance.

Stronger financial oversight and IP management.

Improved analytics and strategic reporting.

Timeline

Stage 1 - Delivered (2024–2025): Between July 2024 and January 2025, Stage 1 was delivered, introducing Research Consultancies, Contract Research, and Non-Funded Agreements, all of which are now in use.

Stage 2 - Final Stages of Implementation (by March 2026): By March 2026, the final stage of implementation will be delivered, introducing Research Grants, UQ Internal Initiatives, and Philanthropic Research, along with integrations with ARC, Reportal, and TRIM, as well as a range of user experience improvements.

Who is Impacted?

Researchers & Academic Title Holders (~7,000 people)

Local Research Support

Head of Unit Advisors

Heads of Unit

Finance teams (PSt Advisory, Contracts & Grants, Accounts Receivable)

Research Office Professionals and select Institutes (QAAFI, SMI, ISSR)

Support Available

Help Desk: my-research-help@uq.edu.au

Implementation Team Mailbox: myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au

Training Hub: online resources for researchers, finance, and research support staff

Guides & Lunchbox Sessions: for Internal Portal users.

MyResearch Projects Delivery

The MyResearch Projects was initiated to provide a holistic view of research project management, administration and compliance, including simplifying and modernising research administration.

The system is being developed through an agile approach, which builds smaller sections of functionality at a time prior to testing with users. The team continues to consult extensively with members of the Research Office and Faculty & Institute research support, and will extend this consultation to researchers during acceptance testing. The project is also overseen by a steering committee that includes members of the DVCR, Finance, Risk, ITS and Faculties & Institute researchers.

MyResearch Projects is being delivered in two stages:

The first stage, in late 2024 - early 2025 was the roll out of functionality for managing research consultancy, (new) contract research projects, and non-funded research agreements.
The second stage, in late 2025 - early 2026 will deliver support for other research administration in competitive grants including internal schemes and strategic funding.

To ensure that we finalise the project to provide a well-functioning system with efficient use for all staff involved – academic and professional alike – we have undertaken a thorough mid-project review. Following this, we have extended the project timeline targeting completion by March 2026 and secured additional funding. We have strengthened the ITS – Research Office partnership in delivering this as well as the project governance and oversight to ensure we deliver a robust, fit-for-purpose system for researchers and research administrators.

In 2025, we are working to resolve or refine a number of areas identified to improve the current offering. We are also completing core functionality, developing its reporting capability and moving into the final stages of development for the research grants management rollout, with an anticipated launch in early 2026.

Alongside this, we are developing a change management plan, communications and engagement plan and a customised training plan for those set to use or already using MyResearch. Through this, we will consult with key stakeholders, end-users and support for faculties, institutes and central teams through the implementation phase.

There will be ongoing opportunities to contribute to the system’s refinement and to help shape the support and training materials for rollout.

Please communicate system refinement suggestions, system training, or system concerns to the Help Desk my-research-help@uq.edu.au.

For updates on project implementation and feedback on communication ideas and needs, please email the MyResearch Project Mailbox myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au.

MyResearch Projects Governance

MyResearch Projects Control Board (PCG)

The MyResearch Project Control Group (PCG) is responsible for the provision of strategic advice, guidance, and monitoring of the MyResearch project (the Project) in order to ensure successful delivery and implementation of the Project objectives, and business benefits in the business case are achieved.

Contact: myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au.

Role	Name	Surname	Unit/affiliation
Associate Director	David	Dellit	Financial Planning and Analysis
Project Manager	David	Waters	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Implementation Manager	Denise	Fursman	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Executive Director	Dr Jodi	Clyde-Smith	Research Office
Director	Joanna	Spanjaard	Governance and Risk
Associate Dean (Research)	Professor Karen	Moritz	Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Interim Chief Information Officer	Marni	Jacoby	Information Technology Services
Deputy Director (Ops)	Melissa	Glendenning	Sustainable Mineral Institute, EAIT
Director	Mohammad	Hassan	Infrastructure Operations, Information Technology Services
Change Manager	Ranj	Atwal	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Senior Lecturer	Associate Professor Rodrigo	Suarez	School of Biomedical Sciences
Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Research)	Professor Sue	Harrison	The University of Queensland
Associate Director	Vern	Bawden	Research Management Systems, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

MyResearch Projects Business Reference Group (BRG)

The MyResearch Projects initiative has established a Business Reference Group (BRG) made up of UQ Research Leaders from the Research Office, Finance professionals from Finance and Business Services and Local Research Support Professionals, Faculty and Institute Research Managers (FIRM).

Contact: myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au.

Role	Name	Surname	Unit/affiliation
Senior Manager	Amelie	Wilkinson	Post-Award (ARC, International and State, Research Office
Senior Manager	Andrea	Belcher	Research, Faculty of Science
Project Manager	David	Waters	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Implementation Manager	Denise	Fursman	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Finance Manager	Elma	Spooner	Finance Professional Services - EAIT
Executive Director	Dr Jodi	Clyde-Smith	Research Office
Associate Director	Dr Kirsten	Lawrie	Awards, Research Office
Senior Manager	Laura	Pareezer	Awards, Research Office
Associate Director	Dr Madonna	Devaney	Research Collaboration and Pre-Award, Research Office
Senior Manager	Mariana	Kaiser	Research Systems Operations, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Director	Mohammad	Hassan	Infrastructure Operations, Information Technology Services
Associate Director	Rachel	Axon	Research Commercial Management, Research Office
Change Manager	Ranj	Atwal	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Senior Manager	Rylie	Moran	Pre-Award, Research Office
Associate Director	Shirley	Wood	Data Services, Infrastructure Operations, Information Technology Services
Associate Director	Vern	Bawden	Research Management Systems, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

MyResearch Projects Technical Reference Group (TRG)

Contact: myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au.

Role	Name	Surname	Unit/affiliation
Business Analyst	Ben	Hogan	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Project Manager	David	Waters	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Implementation Manager	Denise	Fursman	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Business Analyst	Helen	Owen	MMyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Senior Manager	Ivy	Lee	Contracts and Grants
Business Analyst	Dr John	Gunders	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Manager	Josh	Sweeney	Operations, Research Office
Senior Manager	Liane	Spencer	Operations Support and Process Improvement, Financial Operations
Director	Mohammad	Hassan	Infrastructure Operations, Information Technology Services
Change Manager	Ranj	Atwal	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Associate Director	Vern	Bawden	Research Management Systems, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Research Systems Coordinator	Xenia	Aitken-Smith	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

MyResearch Projects Implementation Team

Contact: myresearchprojects@uq.edu.au.

Role	Name	Surname	Unit/affiliation
Governance Officer	Aimee	Sisley	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Business Analyst	Ben	Hogan	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Project Manager	David	Waters	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Implementation Manager	Denise	Fursman	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Business Analyst	Helen	Owen	MMyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Business Analyst	Dr John	Gunders	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Change Manager	Ranj	Atwal	MyResearch Project Team, Information Technology Services
Research Systems Coordinator	Xenia	Aitken-Smith	MyResearch Project Team, Office of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

MyResearch Projects

About MyResearch Projects

What is MyResearch Projects?

Why the change?

Alignment with UQ Strategy

What’s Changing?

What’s Staying the Same?

Benefits

Timeline

Who is Impacted?

Support Available

MyResearch Projects Delivery

MyResearch Projects Governance

Quick Links