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eRA Governance

The project plan and approach are being developed through collaboration with our partners across the university, including the Office of Information Technology. The success of the Electronic Research Administration (eRA) project rests on a strong governance structure that ensures strategic alignment, stakeholder engagement, and efficient decision-making. Our governance model fosters collaboration, transparency, and accountability at every level.

Core Project Team

In this initial planning phase, the project is managed by:

  • Liz Rulli, Executive Sponsor, Notre Dame Research Associate Vice President, Research Administration and Compliance

  • Carolina Avendano, Notre Dame Research Project Director

  • Colleen Butcher, Notre Dame Research Change Manager

  • Kristi Bradford, Notre Dame Research Project Manager, (from ISG, our supporting consultants)

Governance Structure

  • Executive Leadership Committee (ELC)
    Provides University-level oversight and accountability, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and resolving issues with enterprise-wide impact.

  • Executive Steering Committee (ESC)
    Sets strategic direction, champions the project across the Notre Dame community, and removes high-level barriers to success.

  • Project Core Team
    Manages day-to-day implementation, coordinates teams, and ensures milestones, scope, and risks are actively managed.

  • Advisory Groups and Administration
    Provides targeted faculty and staff expertise to inform decisions, validate approaches, and support engagement as needed.

  • Working Groups
    Delivers functional expertise to design, configure, test, and implement the system in alignment with business needs.

  • eRA Users
    End users whose participation, feedback, and adoption determine the system’s effectiveness.

Hierarchical chart of the eRA Project. Top: Advisory/Admin (ELC, ESC, Core Team). Mid-level: Functional, Technical, and OCM Working Groups with sub-categories. Bottom: eRA User Groups.

Project Governance Principles

  • Transparency: Regular updates and open communication.

  • Collaboration: Inclusive input from diverse stakeholders.

  • Accountability: Clear roles and responsibilities.

  • Excellence: Commitment to selecting a best-in-class solution.

Have questions? Email the team to share your thoughts and feedback. Together, we’ll build a stronger future for research at Notre Dame.