Software eases grant applications

Oracle Corp. is rolling out new software that aims to ease the way for proposal

writers in search of grant money.

The application enables members of a grant team to work together in

real time rather than individually on different tasks. That ability may

speed the process and cut mistakes.

Oracle officials say the software might even help agencies end up with

more grant money. "If you have a finite number of people, you can perhaps

have an ability to apply for more money or in more creative ways," said

Frank Bishop, Oracle's vice president for public-sector development.

Grants Proposal is designed to automate and electronically organize

a group's proposal activities. Using a Web browser, different people can

simultaneously develop a proposal, a budget and a written explanation because

everything is available in one secure database.

Once the proposal is constructed, an Oracle workflow product can route

the document to multiple managers for review and approval. The final product

can be electronically submitted to the funding agency via Oracle's e-commerce

application.

Background material for the proposal can be imported into the company's

existing Grants Accounting application. Such information can then be used

as the baseline for post-award, compliance-tracking reports required by

the funding agency.