Custom Fields
Create project-specific metadata to track grant IDs, protocol numbers, and study populations across documents
Structured proposal tools reduce repetitive work, improve accuracy, and accelerate review cycles while maintaining institutional controls for research and compliance.
Leads study design and submits proposals for review. Requires version control, collaborator permissions, and a clear approval chain to satisfy institutional and sponsor requirements while minimizing administrative delays.
Manages compliance checks, budget approvals, and contract language. Uses workflow templates, audit trails, and centralized storage to ensure proposals meet IRB/IACUC and sponsor standards before final signature.
Academic researchers, extension coordinators, and research administrators commonly rely on proposal platforms to coordinate multi-party submissions and approvals.
Facilities managers, veterinarians, and sponsored projects offices use the same tools to verify protocol compliance and archive signed paperwork for audits.
Create project-specific metadata to track grant IDs, protocol numbers, and study populations across documents
Distribute identical documents to many recipients while capturing individual signatures and status
Connect proposal workflows with grant systems, CRMs, or institutional databases for automated data transfer
Maintain immutable logs of actions, IPs, and timestamps for compliance and auditing
Show or hide fields based on responses to streamline forms and reduce errors
Generate status and compliance reports to support sponsors and institutional reviews
Centralized templates for protocols, consent forms, and grant documents reduce drafting time and ensure consistent regulatory language across projects and collaborators.
Role-based editing, inline comments, and version history allow investigators and administrators to iterate safely without overwriting required compliance fields or submission parameters.
Legally recognized electronic signatures and configurable signer workflows enable rapid execution of agreements while providing an auditable trail for institutional records.
Predefined field validations, required checkboxes, and sign-off gates help ensure proposals meet IACUC, IRB, and sponsor requirements before finalization.
| Setting Name | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Reminder Frequency | 48 hours |
| Signature Order | Sequential |
| Template Folder | Research Templates |
| Authentication Method | Email with 2FA |
| Retention Policy | 7 years |
Most modern proposal platforms support recent desktop browsers and mobile devices to facilitate field and office signing.
Validate browser versions on institutional computers, ensure mobile team members install supported apps, and confirm offline collection methods meet record integrity and audit requirements before deploying field workflows.
A multi-site livestock nutrition trial needed synchronized consent forms and site agreements across three universities, including IACUC signoffs and sponsor billing details.
Resulting in faster approvals, fewer revision cycles, and a single archival record that supported sponsor invoicing and regulatory audits.
An extension program launched on-farm animal health outreach requiring participant release forms and data-use agreements for students and farmers.
Leading to reliable consent capture, simplified reporting to institutional offices, and reduced administrative follow-up for compliance documentation.
| Criteria | signNow (Recommended) | DocuSign | Adobe Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIPAA Support | Available | Available | Available |
| Bulk Send | |||
| API Access | REST API | REST API | REST API |
| Template Library | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Plan Pricing (entry) | signNow (Recommended) $8 per user monthly | DocuSign $10 per user monthly | Adobe Sign $9.99 per user monthly | PandaDoc $19 per user monthly | HelloSign $15 per user monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial Availability | 14-day trial available | 30-day trial available | 14-day trial available | 14-day trial available | 30-day trial available |
| Enterprise Options | Custom enterprise contracts available | Enterprise plans available | Enterprise plans available | Enterprise available | Enterprise available |
| API Included | Included in paid plans | Available with paid plans | Included for enterprise | Available with paid plans | Available with paid plans |
| HIPAA Support Option | HIPAA add-on available | HIPAA add-on available | HIPAA support available | HIPAA add-on available | HIPAA add-on available |
| Template and Bulk Tools | Template library and Bulk Send | Template library and Bulk Send | Template library and Bulk Send | Template and workflow tools | Template library and Bulk Send |