Clema

The second major feature is multi-source integration across nine federal databases, all accessible through a single conversational interface. Clema supports IPEDS, College Scorecard, EADA, Pell Grant, Cohort Default Rate (CDR), DAPIP, PSEO, Campus Safety, and STATS (FVT/GE including the OBBBA Earnings Premium dataset). Users can switch between sources without logging into different portals or remembering separate URL patterns. The AI automatically identifies which database contains the requested data and retrieves it, merging results when needed. This integration is useful because it centralizes all federal data research into one workflow. Researchers can ask about graduation rates, then default rates, then athletics spending, without ever leaving the conversation, saving hours previously spent switching between government sites.

A third feature group centers on data presentation and export capabilities. Every response from Clema includes auto-generated charts—such as bar graphs and trend lines—and proper citations containing the source database, year, and specific dataset. Users can copy formatted text directly into reports or export the entire query result to CSV or Excel files with a single click. These features are particularly valuable for compliance documentation, where citations are mandatory, and for institutional research offices that need to merge Clema outputs with internal data. The platform also provides access to over 10 years of historical data, enabling longitudinal studies that were previously cumbersome to compile manually. This end-to-end exportability reduces manual data handling and the risk of transcription errors.

Clema works through a straightforward, conversation-first workflow. After creating a free account, users select their desired data source from the nine available federal databases. They then type a question in natural language—like "How do our Pell Grant recipient counts compare to last year?"—and the AI agent queries the official federal data, processes it, and returns a response in seconds. The answer includes a summary, a visual chart, and a citation. Users can refine their question, compare peer groups, or switch databases seamlessly. The entire process, from question to actionable insight, takes less than five minutes, compared to the days required by traditional methods where researchers had to navigate IPEDS Data Center, download files, and manually merge spreadsheets across multiple government portals.

Concrete use cases demonstrate Clema's impact across the institution. An institutional researcher comparing graduation rates across a custom peer group using IPEDS data discovers trends that inform strategic planning and accreditation reporting. A Title IX coordinator queries EADA to assess athletics participation equity, generating instant compliance reports with gender-disaggregated statistics on coaching ratios and scholarship distribution. A financial aid office analyzes Pell Grant disbursement patterns to allocate resources more effectively and forecast future needs. A compliance officer uses Cohort Default Rate data to monitor institutional risk against thresholds. An accreditation specialist verifies program accreditation through DAPIP in seconds instead of manual database searches. In each scenario, Clema reduces research time from days to minutes, increases accuracy by eliminating manual data handling, and provides auditable citations for every claim.

Clema targets institutional researchers, higher education administrators, compliance officers, financial aid directors, athletics directors, accreditation coordinators, career services professionals, and campus safety officers at colleges and universities of all sizes. The platform is web-based, requiring no installation, and works on any device with internet access. Pricing begins with a free 14-day trial that includes 10 queries across all data sources with no credit card required. For institutions needing more capacity, custom plans offer unlimited queries and users, priority support, and custom integrations. Clema also maintains SOC 2 compliance and encryption for institutions using it with internal data, and signs BAAs upon request. Ultimately, Clema transforms how higher education professionals interact with federal data, turning a historically painful process into a conversational experience that saves time, reduces errors, and empowers data-informed decisions.

Updated 2026-02-28