Explainer · Plain-language

What is a CRIS?

A CRIS (Current Research Information System) is institutional software for tracking all aspects of research activity at a university — publications, grants, contributors, projects, equipment, outputs. Major commercial CRIS platforms include Pure, Symplectic Elements, Worktribe, Converis. VIVO is the leading open-source CRIS.

What a CRIS does

A CRIS ingests + connects publication metadata (from Crossref / PubMed / Scopus / Web of Science), grant data (from funder portals + internal systems), researcher records (from HR + ORCID), institutional repositories, and reporting outputs (REF / ERA / RAE / annual reports).

CERIF — the data model

Most CRISes use the Common European Research Information Format (CERIF) data model — a EU-developed standard maintained by euroCRIS. CERIF defines entities (Project, Person, OrganisationUnit, Output, etc.) and relationships between them.

Why CASRAI vocabulary

CRISes have standardised data models (CERIF) but vocabulary is heterogeneous — every institution defines its own internal lists (publication types, contribution roles, output categories). The CASRAI Dictionary provides shared vocabulary that's federated with CERIF — letting institutions exchange data without re-deriving controlled vocabulary lists.

Open source vs commercial

Commercial CRISes (Pure, Elements, Worktribe, Converis) cost ~£100K-500K/yr for a mid-size university; offer richer commercial integrations + support. Open-source VIVO is free + RDF-native + strong in US AMC settings; requires institutional sysadmin support.

Key facts

At a glance

Standard data model: CERIF (euroCRIS)
Commercial leaders: Pure, Symplectic Elements, Worktribe, Converis
Open source: VIVO
Integrations: ORCID, Crossref, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, funder portals, REF / ERA reporting

Common misconceptions

What people often get wrong

Often heard: A CRIS is the same as a repository.

Actually: No — a CRIS is metadata + workflow; a repository is full-text deposit. Most institutions run both, integrated.

Often heard: CRIS is only for big universities.

Actually: Open-source VIVO is used by some smaller institutions; commercial CRIS deployment is typical above ~1000 researcher size.

Going deeper