Research Information System (RIS)

Log into the Research Information System (RIS)

What is the RIS?

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) uses the Research Information System (RIS) to manage the approval of scholarly, research and creative (SRC) funding applications, agreements and details on research accounts or cost centres administered by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI).

All applications for funding to external sponsors (including industry partners) and funding agreements must be approved by the university prior to submission/sign-off, as per Policy 154.

First Time Accessing the RIS?

If you are new to TMU or are using the RIS for the first time, please send an e-mail from your TMU e-mail account with the subject line “Requesting RIS Access” to researchservices@torontomu.ca and provide your:

Name
Rank/Position
Department/School
Faculty

Logging into the RIS

To log in to the RIS (opens in new window) , you will need to be connected to TMU-VPN and will require Two-Factor Authentication:

If you require further assistance with regard to TMU-VPN or Two-Factor Authentication, please contact the CCS Help Line at ext. 556806 or email help@torontomu.ca.

Grant Authorization Form (GAF)

The Grant Authorization Form (GAF) within the RIS facilitates the approval of a researcher’s Chair, Dean and the OVPRI prior to the submission of an application or signing of an agreement. It is also a tool to store and share an application with an OVPRI contact for review prior to submission to the external sponsor.

Please Note: An approved GAF is required by the TMU internal deadline, as applicable, and is required prior to submitting an application to a funding agency, as per Policy 154. Researchers are encouraged to notify the OVPRI of any intent to apply as early as possible, and well in advance of the internal deadline or any external sponsor deadlines.

Submitting a GAF

If you don't have time to finish a GAF in one session, you can save it and retrieve it in the future under “Unsubmitted GAFs.”

_{Step 1:}

_{Log into the Research Information System (RIS) with your my.torontomu user id and password.}

_{Step 2:}

_{On the left side you will see “Grant Authorization Form (GAF),” and when you click it, a dropdown list will appear. From the dropdown list select “New GAF.”}

_{Step 3:}

_{Complete all sections of the GAF to the best of your knowledge. If you have questions about completing your GAF, reach out to the OVPRI contact associated with the grant or funding opportunity you are applying for, or contact researchservices@torontomu.ca if you are unsure.}

_{Researchers should upload a copy of their application or agreement, including a detailed budget and any other supporting documents (such as letters of support, matching funding/contribution approval letters/e-mails, etc.).}

_{Step 4:}

_{When the GAF is complete, click “Submit for approval.”}

GAF Approval

Once the GAF is submitted, your Department Chair or School Director will receive notification of a GAF pending their review/approval.
Once the GAF is approved by the Chair/Director, your Dean will receive notification.
Once the Dean approves the GAF, your OVPRI contact is notified that the GAF has been approved and can proceed with submission of the application to the external agency or sponsor, or an agreement can proceed towards execution, as applicable.

While you await a decision on your application, if you have identified the proposed research as involving human or animal subjects, you are encouraged to begin working with Research Ethics. If approved, any proposal involving human or animal subjects will require Research Ethics Board (REB) or Animal Care Committee (ACC) approval or an ethics pre-release before funding can be released.

Quick Reference Guide to GAF Approvals

Research Account Profile

The RIS also tracks funded grants and research-related agreements through the Research Account Profile (RAP), which includes general information, the budget, as well as key terms and conditions related to the grant or agreement.

If your application is approved or funding agreement is executed, the GAF will serve as the basis for the creation of a RAP, which is linked to a financial cost centre where the funds will be held for use by you as the researcher.

You will receive a system notification from the RIS once the cost-centre is created, along with your designated Financial Analyst and your faculty or school-based Research Account Support Officer (RASO) or equivalent.

For more information on managing your research funding, see OVPRI’s Managing Your Funding as well as TMU’s Research Accounting pages.