Emerging research institutions (ERIs) are vital incubators of scientific discovery but often lack the resources and infrastructure to support a robust institutional research enterprise. ERIs thus face challenges with essential research management activities like tracking research performance, outputs, and funding. ResDataNexus will provide an open-source framework to build interactive data platforms that monitor research and development (R&D) activities and expenditures while forecasting future opportunities. By automating data collection and analysis, ResDatanexus will support informed, data-driven decision-making, strengthen collaborations, and boost institutional competitiveness. The project also engages students in hands-on data analytics, helping build future research talent and encouraging strategic partnerships that drive innovation and national research progress. The ResDataNexus project will explore ways of developing a cost-effective, low-maintenance, open-source data infrastructure for ERIs to systematically track research outputs, R&D expenditures, and grant activities. The project will unfold in three phases: framework development; prototype testing and validation on partner campuses (University of San Diego, Elon University, Pepperdine University); and iterative refinement with broad dissemination. ResDataNexus will integrate diverse data sources, build interactive dashboards for real-time monitoring, and apply machine learning to create a forecasting model a