OpenWater

OpenWater manages application and review processes for abstracts, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and grants. It is designed for professional and trade associations, foundations, and higher education institutions. Organizations can build customizable submission forms with conditional logic and accept attachments in nearly any type, size, or format. Submissions can go to multiple reviewers, with scores collected in a dashboard and optional double-blind judging. The platform also supports scoring rubrics, reviewer collaboration, applicant portals, workflow automation, payment collection, and configurable reporting dashboards with exports in multiple formats. OpenWater says it integrates with more than 65 association management, CRM, directory, and payment gateway solutions, including iMIS, Salesforce, Higher Logic, Stripe, and PayPal. Security features include SSO, encryption, two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, and password requirements; GDPR-related consent and deletion options are also available. Submission pages are mobile-responsive, and a mobile app supports team administration and review. WCAG compliance features are supported. OpenWater AI is an opt-in beta for existing customers that analyzes submissions, surfaces insights, and automates data collection. The paid subscription is custom-priced based on usage and backend users. OpenWater does not support recommendation requests directly within the platform.

OpenWater covers submission, review, scoring, payment, and reporting workflows for several application-based programs. Organizations should note the custom subscription pricing and the lack of direct recommendation requests.

OpenWater suits associations, foundations, and higher education institutions managing application and review cycles. It is relevant for teams that need configurable forms, reviewer workflows, scoring, and reporting.

OpenWater is application-management software for associations, foundations, and higher education institutions running awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, or abstract programs. Its appeal is the combination of configurable submissions and coordinated review; its custom subscription pricing and lack of direct recommendation requests may rule it out for some organizations.

Overview

OpenWater brings applicant portals, submissions, judging, payment collection, workflow automation, and reporting into one platform. Teams can adapt forms to different program requirements, then assign submissions to multiple reviewers and compile scores in a dashboard. That breadth suits organizations managing several steps of an application process, though the custom quote means budgeting depends on usage, functionality, and the number of backend users.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, OpenWater is owned by Advanced Solutions International, which acquired the platform in 2022.

Key features

Submission and review workflows

Conditional form logic and support for attachments of nearly any type, size, and format give program teams room to collect varied materials without relying on a single fixed application template. Multiple reviewers can be assigned to submissions, and their scores are brought together in a dashboard. Optional double-blind judging, scoring rubrics, and reviewer collaboration support structured evaluation, although organizations that need recommendation requests handled directly in the platform will need another approach.

Reporting and integrations

Configurable dashboards and exports in multiple file formats help teams turn application and scoring activity into reports. OpenWater says it integrates with more than 65 association management, CRM, directory, and payment gateway solutions, including iMIS, Salesforce, Higher Logic, Stripe, and PayPal. That range can be useful for organizations already working in those systems, but integration needs should be matched to the specific tools in use.

Security, accessibility, and mobile use

Security features include single sign-on, app encryption, two-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, and password-strength requirements. GDPR-related consent and data-deletion options address privacy workflows. Submission landing pages are mobile-responsive, while the OpenWater app lets teams handle administrative and review tasks on mobile devices. WCAG compliance features also support organizations building more accessible processes.

OpenWater AI

OpenWater AI is an opt-in beta for existing customers. It analyzes submissions, surfaces insights, and automates data collection; because it is a beta feature, it is best treated as an optional addition rather than a core reason to choose the platform.

Support

OpenWater reports an average support response time of 10 minutes and guarantees an answer within one business day. That stated commitment may reassure teams that need help during active application and review cycles.

Pricing

OpenWater uses a paid, custom-subscription model, with pricing on request. The quote is based on usage needs, and pricing may vary with the functionality used and the number of backend users. There is no published tier structure or free plan to use for estimating a lower-cost starting point, so organizations should request a quote tied to their expected workload and team size.

Platforms

OpenWater supports Android, iOS, and web. The mobile app is intended for administrative and review functions, while applicant-facing landing pages are mobile-responsive.

Who it's for

OpenWater is a strong fit for professional and trade associations, private and public foundations, and higher education institutions that need configurable applications and coordinated review across awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, or abstracts. Organizations that rely on recommendation requests within the same system should look elsewhere, as should buyers who need a published price to compare costs before engaging a vendor.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Conditional forms and broad attachment support can accommodate programs with varied submission requirements.
• Pro: Multiple reviewers, scoring dashboards, rubrics, collaboration, and optional double-blind judging support organized evaluation.
• Pro: Reporting, payment collection, mobile administration, and more than 65 stated integrations cover several operational needs in one platform.
• Con: Custom pricing based on usage, functionality, and backend users makes costs harder to compare without a tailored quote.
• Con: Recommendation requests are not supported directly, leaving a gap for programs that need them in the application workflow.
• Con: OpenWater AI is an opt-in beta for existing customers, so it is not a dependable basis for evaluating the core product.

Alternatives

Scholarship Management Software and Application Management Software offer broader category comparisons for buyers still deciding what kind of system fits their program.

Choose SurveyMonkey instead when survey creation is the priority and a freemium model is preferable; its Basic plan has 10 questions per survey and limited responses, while Standard Monthly allows 1,000 responses per month.

Scholarship Commons is worth considering for scholarship programs that want a free membership option for students, reviewers, and recommenders, with all features included for those users.

BrightAccess is another paid option with a free plan, available on web and API platforms.

CommunityForce is an alternative awards-management platform with web access and pricing arranged through a demo or expert conversation.

GO SGO is another paid, web-based option to consider.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT may suit organizations seeking a custom quote, with implementation, training, and ongoing support potentially included.

Electronic Form Solutions is an alternative for buyers who prefer usage-based subscription fees tied to documents created and stored, with annual access periods paid in advance.

Ellucian Advising is another paid web-based option for organizations considering advising software.

Verdict

Choose OpenWater if your association, foundation, or institution needs configurable applications, coordinated judging, and reporting across several program types. Its breadth is the main reason to buy; custom pricing and the lack of direct recommendation requests are the clearest reasons to compare alternatives.