Benefits of PD Over PINS

The Proposal Development (PD) module’s phased implementation is underway. PINS users in units that are part of our first rollout cycle have begun training.

If you’re wondering why we’re going through the trouble of replacing PINS, the short answer is that it’s part of the broader launch of the Research Enterprise Data (RED) system. PD will round out RED’s suite of Sponsored Programs modules and bring the system one step closer to completion. As part of an enterprise-level system (with interconnected modules), PD brings many inherent benefits to the university; namely, more accurate data reporting and enhanced compliance screening.

That said, PD will also bring several benefits to end users:

• System-to-System (S2S) Submission: The PD module will support S2S submission, allowing users to seamlessly submit proposals built in RED to grants.gov.

• Sponsor-specific Formatting: Once a sponsor has been selected, PD will automatically format the proposal to comply with the sponsor’s specifications. PD has built-in functionality to ensure a proposal complies with sponsor specifications prior to submission.

• SPIN Connectivity: NC State has used InfoEd SPIN since 2014, when the UNC System adopted it as its funding opportunity database. InfoEd is also the software vendor behind RED, which means the PD module comes with built-in features that leverage SPIN. For example, users will be able to search for SPIN opportunities from within PD; and if an opportunity is selected, certain information (e.g., sponsor name, proposal due date) will be automatically entered into the proposal form. 

• Automatic Compliance Checks: Since PD is connected to RED’s compliance modules — including COI/COC — it will automatically screen PIs to ensure that they meet all eligibility requirements (e.g., Conflict of Interest disclosure).  

• Budget Carry-Over: Budgets created in PD carry over into the Proposal Tracking (PT) module and, upon successful award, into the Post Award Management (PAM) module.

• Streamlined Pre-Award Processing: While it will undoubtedly take some time for users — including the central offices — to adapt to PD, campus should expect faster turnaround times in the long term. Campus users will also have greater visibility into where their proposals are in the workflow and routing process.
  • Based on the information you provide, PD will automatically send communication to the appropriate offices (e.g., Export Controls) to ensure the necessary steps are taken sooner in the proposal and award process.

Watch the video below for a brief introduction to the PD module.

For more information about the transition from PINS to PD, visit this webpage.