CATALYST vs SmarterSelect

CATALYST is a web platform for collecting and administering applications to awards, grants, and scholarships. Applicants can answer eligibility questions, upload supporting files, save applications to finish later, and receive automated email reminders. Review teams can use automated reviewer assignments, custom or blind scoring, and multiple rounds of review. Organizations can run multiple programs with configurable workflows, role-based permissions, dashboards, and real-time reporting. Omnipress configures workflows around each program’s structure, and each project includes a dedicated project manager for setup, training, everyday questions, and continuing support. Payment collection through a gateway is available, including nomination fees where applicable. Listed integrations include YourMembership, Abila/NetForum, iThenticate, Authorize.Net, and BluePay. The product page describes GDPR-compliant functionality, fraud prevention for payments, and secure system data backup. CATALYST is designed for program managers, applicants, reviewers, judges, and organizations managing these programs. It is paid, with pricing available by quote; prospective customers can request a quote and schedule a demo.

SmarterSelect is application-management software for scholarship, grant, award, and other programs. It helps organizations collect applications, manage applicants, evaluate submissions, and track awards. Forms support multiple question types and file attachments, with layouts for phones, tablets, and laptops. The platform can automate scoring and calculations, send email and text notifications and reminders, and track awards. Reviewers can use scoring and rubrics; administrators can create custom reports and export applicant or evaluation data as CSV or PDF files. Through Zapier, application data can be shared with more than 2,000 applications, including Salesforce and other CRM systems, without programming. Single sign-on lets users access the platform with credentials from a CRM or member-management system. Subscriptions include support, with hours of 8 AM to 6 PM Central US Monday through Friday. The no-credit-card trial has no time limit but is limited to ten users for testing. SmarterSelect says it does not sell or share personal information in providing its services and supports GDPR access, erasure, and portability requests. Plans start at $2,000 USD per year.