When UAB began its Research Strategic Initiative in 2023 with more than 120 interviews and a campuswide survey, researchers and research administrators across the institution highlighted antiquated technology as a challenge, noting that complex, non-user-friendly systems contributed to inefficient and nontransparent processes. Their feedback underscored the need for a new electronic research administration platform that would support process redesign and provide an easier way to access research-related resources. MyUABResearch developed from this input and launched with Phase I in December 2025.
This summer, two additional key efforts to address these needs are coming online:
- The new myResearch portal was launched in June, providing a centralized hub for research administrative resources.
- In August, the second phase of the myUABResearch platform will go live, with modules for the Institutional Review Board and Export Control.
Taken together, these tools are improving the research administration experience by streamlining workflows, reducing administrative burden and better supporting UAB investigators at every step of the research life cycle.
Here is a closer look at each tool.
myResearch portal
Click on the myResearch tab on the myUAB portal to access.The myResearch portal launched on June 18, 2026, as a new tab on the myUAB portal at my.uab.edu. It serves as a single destination for research-related information at UAB, offering quick access to training resources, reporting and analytics, project and system tools, and research news and events. By bringing previously separate resources together, myResearch reduces administrative burden and makes it easier for researchers and staff to find the information they need.
Key features include:
- a complete list of all projects that a researcher or staff member is assigned to, along with all pending grant submissions;
- year-to-date and historic data for all research expenditures related to the researcher’s or staff member’s projects;
- modules that gather research tools and resources, funding opportunities, and research-related events for quick access;
- a module listing all required upcoming and recently completed research-related trainings for the user in a single view; and
- links to approved research-specific AI tools, including ones developed at UAB, such as:
- a customized version of the Ask Blazebot chatbot that has been trained on UAB research websites, reference guides and training materials to answer user questions about submission processes, upcoming deadlines, contact information and more;
- Grant Editor, which offers AI-powered grant language analysis and simulates grant review;
- IRB Draft Tool, which generates starting-point IRB protocol drafts based on supplied study details;
- IRB Pre-Submission Assist Tool, which helps researchers identify the appropriate IRB pathway and prepare for submission (operates as a closed system within the UAB environment); and
- Literature Search Tool, which situates research questions in the context of existing literature.
You can learn more about approved AI tools, ongoing projects and usage guidelines on the UAB AI Strategic Initiative site.
Access the myResearch portal at my.uab.edu.
myUABResearch Phase II
Screenshot of a training video on the IRB module, set to launch with myUABResearch Phase II in late August.In December 2025, the first phase of the myUABResearch electronic research administration platform launched, with modules for grants, agreements and conflict‑of‑interest management. These modules have seen strong usage across campus, including more than 3,200 new proposals created, more than 3,300 new agreements submitted and more than 5,500 conflict-of-interest profile updates.
Phase II, scheduled for Aug. 24 (see full timeline here), rolls out new modules for the Institutional Review Board and Export Control. The IRB module will have streamlined smart forms and toolkits for researchers and IRB staff, and the Export Control module will give users access to all relevant export-controlled projects and related reporting.
Self-paced training tools are available now, and all researchers and support staff who work with IRB or export-controlled projects are encouraged to sign up.
Note that, in order to add the new modules to the existing system, myUABResearch will be unavailable from Aug. 21 until 8 a.m. on Aug. 24, when the system will be live with the addition of the IRB and Export Control modules. This downtime means that all pending SF424 submissions due prior to Aug. 24 must be submitted to the sponsor prior to the scheduled downtime.
For the latest on the launch, visit the dedicated Phase II launch page here.