
As workflow demands became more complex, Tufts University found that manual processes, email approvals, and even ERP workflow tools could no longer keep pace. By adopting Kuali Build alongside Kuali Research, the university gained a flexible platform that empowers departments to automate complex processes without sacrificing governance or scalability.
Medford, Massachusetts
Private research university
Approximately 13,000 students
Kuali Build
Kuali Research
IACUC
IBC
Tufts University relied on people, email, PDFs, and paper to move institutional processes forward. As the university grew, those manual workflows became increasingly difficult to manage. Even an attempt to automate workflows using PeopleSoft proved expensive, time-consuming, and unable to accommodate the diverse needs of a decentralized institution. The university needed a platform that could support both standardized workflows and the unique processes required across individual schools and departments.
Tufts University adopted Kuali Build to create and manage workflows that traditional enterprise systems couldn't easily support. With a no-code platform designed for higher education, departments can build and modify processes quickly while maintaining institutional governance. Combined with Kuali Research, Kuali Build provides a connected technology foundation that enables the university to automate research administration and other campus workflows from a single platform.
Today, Tufts University uses Kuali Build across the institution to support a wide variety of business processes. Rather than forcing every workflow into a rigid structure, the platform enables departments to create solutions that reflect how they actually operate.
A Platform That Grows with the Institution
As Tufts University has evolved, Kuali has continued to support new initiatives beyond research administration workflows. By expanding the use of Kuali Build alongside Kuali Research, the university has created additional opportunities to digitize institutional processes while maintaining a connected technology ecosystem that can scale alongside the institution.
.png)
Discover more about Kuali’s partnerships and how they’re making a difference.
Read more ->Research administration is facing rising complexity, staffing transitions, and growing compliance demands. This ebook explores how AI is reshaping higher education research offices—and why intelligent, system-embedded research management platforms are essential for preserving knowledge, supporting staff, and ensuring research integrity.
Explore the possibilities of Digital Transformation in research administration, and discover how institutions are empowered to use DX to create value.

Western New England University implemented Kuali Research to centralize pre-award processes, replacing fragmented email-based workflows. In five months, the university launched a system enabling real-time tracking, faster approvals, and improved coordination. Early results show proposals approved ahead of deadlines, creating a scalable foundation for future research administration growth.