Worktribe at LBU: Introducing Our New Pre and Post Award Modules

What are the Pre and Post Award modules?

In simple terms, the Pre Award module supports the lifecycle of a funding application before it is submitted. It provides a platform to develop, cost and approve applications in one place. Rather than navigating multiple systems, emails and spreadsheets, the aim is for colleagues to manage the entire process through a single platform.

The Post Award module picks up where Pre Award leaves off. Once funding has been secured, it provides tools to support project management, monitoring and reporting throughout the life of an award. This means information can flow seamlessly from application through to delivery, reducing duplication and improving visibility for everyone involved.

Why have we made this change?

Notification that our previous costing and pricing system (REMS) was being discontinued prompted us to search for an alternative. Worktribe is a widely adopted system in the HE community and the opportunity to integrate both Ethics and Post Award was a real bonus.

The new modules will:

• Create a single source of information for externally funded projects
• Improve transparency throughout the funding lifecycle
• Support more efficient approval and review processes
• Provide better management information and reporting
• Strengthen collaboration between academic teams and professional services

Most importantly, the system will allow us to spend less time on administration and more time focusing on the research, innovation and knowledge exchange activities that make a real difference.

What does this mean for colleagues?

As with any new system, there have been some changes to the way we work. However, the aim is to make processes simpler, clearer and more consistent across the University.

At the moment, any colleague involved in an application at Pre Award or Post Award will be able to access the portal and see live updates. Ability to input information is currently limited to colleagues in the Research and Enterprise service, but we will be reviewing that in the coming months.

As well as improved workflows colleagues will be able to track progress more easily, access relevant information in one place and once projects are awarded, project teams will have greater visibility of key milestones, financial information and reporting requirements.

A collaborative effort

The implementation of these modules has involved colleagues from across the University, bringing together expertise from Research and Enterprise, Finance, academic schools and colleagues in Digital Services. Their input has been invaluable in shaping a solution that meets the needs of Leeds Beckett's research and knowledge exchange community.

Looking ahead

This is an important milestone for Leeds Beckett. As we continue to develop our use of Worktribe, the system will become an increasingly important part of how we manage and support externally funded activity.

We look forward to working with colleagues across the university as we roll out the new modules and make the most of the opportunities they bring.

Watch this space for further updates and training opportunities and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.