Compass (EPEX)

Log In to EPEX

Overview

The Purpose of EPEX is to assist in electronic routing, budget development, and institution approval related to extramural funding at Emory.

Additionally, EPEX:

  • Provides the data necessary to record information sufficient for internal tracking and reporting purposes
  • Facilitates the entry of Proposals in the Compass Grants system
  • Accessible to users who have security to enter Proposals into Compass from any computer
  • Each user performs his or her step in the process and can route the record on for additional processing while still maintaining access to track or support additional data or document collection

Getting Access to EPEX

Emory Faculty/PI

If the certifying official is not listed, he/she has not received grants security access and access must be requested. Obtaining EPEX access for a PI is a two step process.

Please preview the Workflow to verify that all the appropriate people are listed at the GM Certification Stage. PI eligibility is granted within 2 - 4 hours. Grants security access must be requested and can take 24 - 48 hours after eligibility has been granted.

Emory Staff/Employees

Employees are required to complete EPEX training online in Brainier. To access Brainer, log into the HR system, navigate to Self Service, then select Learning Management - Brainier. Search for the course entitled, "Compass: Emory Proposal Express (EPEX)," course number 236001.  After training is complete and the assessment passed with an overall score of 80% or above, you must read the EPEX Access Agreement for employees (PDF) and agree to its terms using an electronic signature in Brainier. The preferred browser is Chrome to complete the EPEX training in Brainier. 

Your manager must also agree to an EPEX Access Agreement for managers (PDF) and use an electronic signature in ELMS. Instructions are available to assist you with completing the online training and your manager with approving access.

Non-Emory Employees

In order for someone who is a non-Emory employee to receive an Emory Network ID, they must be sponsored by a current Emory employee. In addition to receiving a network ID, they will need to complete EPEX training in Brainier, read and agree to the EPEX Access Agreement (PDF) in order to get security access in Brainier. Sponsors will have to follow the managers instructions to finalize access. Instructions are available. Click this Manager Instructions (flipbook) link.

Emory Sponsored Accounts

Access Request Forms

EPEX Guides

EPEX Resources

Additional Job Aids for creating a proposal in EPEX are available on the Compass Website and under Emory Proposal Express and include:

Key elements for proposal submission in EPEX are provided below.

Key Components of EPEX

General Proposal

  • Name of Principal Investigator
  • Title of Proposal
  • Sponsor
  • Proposal Dates
  • Total Proposed Budget Requested
  • Miscellaneous Information
  • Keywords

Project Specific

  • Professional Resources/Key Personnel
  • Proposed Effort Percentage
  • F&A Distribution
  • Attachments

Budget

  • High Level or detailed by project and budget period
  • System does all calculations which reduces mathematical errors

Workflow

  • Automatically assigns approvers based on PI's home department, or selected department if dually appointed
  • Ad hoc approvers can be added at any level

Audit History

  • Displays changes made to the proposal by timestamp and by user(s)

OSP Required Attachments in EPEX

The following is a list of items that OSP will need attached in EPEX in order to properly review submitted proposals. Every proposal will not require every item listed below. Please attach those items that are relevant to your submission and/or required by the agency to which the proposal is being submitted. Please contact your department/school for any additional required attachments.

  • Budget (either via the budget tool or spreadsheet
  • Statement of Work
  • Draft of the Research Plan
  • Resources Page
  • Consortium Letters
  • Individual Financial Interest in Research Report summary report from eCOI
  • VA MOUs
  • Copy of, or link to, program announcement (PA), request for applications (RFA), broad agency announcement (BAA), or request for proposals (RFP), as applicable
  • Cayuse Proposal (Admin Shell)

Industry and Cooperative Group-funded Studies

For documents not listed here, please continue to submit via the OCR listserv.

  • Proposed Agreement (CTA) in Word format
  • Final Protocol
  • Sponsor Contact Information
  • IRB approval (if available)
  • Individual Financial Interest in Research Report summary report from eCOI

** Proposals that are NOT electronically submitted should be attached in EPEX in their entirety, compiled in accordance with the sponsor's guidelines.