The MRA System
My Research Applications (MRA) is a system for the internal review and endorsement of research applications. The MRA submission will flow through a defined electronic review and approval process and includes the submission of requests for non-funded agreements, such as Material Transfer Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, etc.
Faculty members will be asked to submit their proposal and budget via the MRA system in advance of the sponsor deadline and will also typically need to submit their applications on the external sponsor site. Information and guidelines for the MRA system can be found on the St. George VPRI My Research Applications & Agreements webpage.
Please note that there is often an earlier UTM MRA submission deadline for certain applications; for deadlines, please check the pages for the specific opportunity you are applying to on the UTM OVPRI website.
MRA Review Process
The MRA review process generally follows this process:
- PI or lead applicant completes an MRA submission, including proposal documents and budget information
- Department chair reviews and approves (or returns) the MRA
- If “escalation” factors are selected, it is then sent to the UTM OVPRI for review/approval. Otherwise, it is sent to the Research Services Office (RSO)
- RSO completes final review and approval/return
There are certain circumstances where the UTM OVPRI will need to review and approve MRAs before they are sent to the RSO. The My Research Applications User Guide provides a list of escalation factors in its Appendix 3, which would trigger an additional mandatory review and approval from the UTM OVPRI. PIs/lead applicants may be required to provide additional documentation with their MRA, depending on the escalation factors selected. Some additional documentation can include:
- Evidence of approved teaching release
- A completed and signed Faculty Member Remuneration from Sponsored Research Project
- Explanation of amount of indirect costs requested from grant sponsor
- Letters of support, approval, or acknowledgement of in-kind contributions, space usage, or increased utility costs (if proposal does not include information/adequately address the escalation factor selected)
- Research security documentation/evidence of due diligence for international partners/foreign sponsors
- Quotes or email confirmation for planned construction/renovations
- Signed Sponsored Research Agreements