Huron Implementation Project: Spring 2026 Update

We’re excited to share the latest progress on the Huron Research Administration Modernization Project! As we move into the next phase of this work, here’s a look at where things stand and what’s ahead.

Onboarding is Complete and We’re Building Momentum

The project has officially wrapped up its onboarding phase, and we’re proud of the strong collaboration and engagement that has defined this work so far. All onboarding sessions have been recorded and are available on the Huron project website for anyone who wants to revisit the conversations or catch up on what they may have missed.

With onboarding behind us, the team is now laser-focused on the next milestone: finalizing system requirements and negotiating the Statement of Work with the Huron team. Once this finalizes, the Design and Implementation phases are anticipated to begin in late Spring to Summer 2026.

Why This Project Matters

Huron is more than a system replacement; it represents a meaningful investment in a connected, transparent, and efficient research administration experience for our entire community. Here’s a snapshot of what the new system will bring:

  • Streamlined Proposal Routing – Departments will route proposals electronically to Sponsored Programs using built-in workflows, eliminating manual handoffs.
  • Improved Data Integrity – A single system supporting the full research lifecycle means consistent, reliable data from proposal through closeout.
  • Greater Visibility for Investigators – Researchers will have full access to their proposal, award, and subaward records directly within Huron.
  • Modernized Approvals – Proposal approvals and ancillary reviews will be integrated into the system, eliminating the need for the PSF.
  • Direct NIH Submission (S2S) – Some NIH opportunities will support proposal development and submission directly through Huron.
  • Centralized Agreement Storage – Unfunded and master agreements will be stored centrally for easy institutional reference.
  • Collaborative Document Review – Agreement documents can be reviewed with inline edits made directly in the system.
  • Built-in Reporting – Departments will have access to reports providing meaningful insights into their research portfolios.
  • Centralized Communication – Task creation, assignment, and completion all happen within a single record.
  • Smart Notifications – System alerts triggered by key milestones and actions will keep teams informed and on track.
  • Future Compliance Integration – Planned integration with compliance systems (IRB, IACUC) will provide visibility across the entire research lifecycle.
  • Flexible, Customizable Forms – Forms will be configured to adapt as BU’s research needs evolve over time.
  • Ongoing Compliance Readiness – Routine vendor updates will ensure the system stays aligned with legal and regulatory changes.

Huron User Group Conference Highlights

Members of the Sponsored Programs and IS&T teams recently attended the Huron User Group Conference, where they:

  • Got an early preview of Huron V12 and what’s coming down the road
  • Connected with other Huron customers (both existing and future) to share experiences and lessons learned
  • Learned about Huron’s roadmap for future releases, including plans to integrate AI capabilities into the platform

It was a valuable opportunity to engage with the broader Huron community and bring back insights that will inform our own implementation.

What’s Next

The team is currently in active Statement of Work negotiations, with an anticipated milestone of late Spring 2026. As we move closer to the Design and Implementation phases, we’ll continue to share updates, timelines, and opportunities for the community to get involved.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed their time, feedback, and expertise. Your engagement is what makes this transition successful, and we look forward to continuing this work together.

Stay Tuned

We’ll continue to send periodic updates as the project continues. In the meantime, please visit our Huron project website to find the latest updates and recordings of the onboarding sessions.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to rosamail@bu.edu or one of the representatives on the project.

Thank you for your patience as we work to bring this new system to our research community.

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