Dear PAMS Users,
We’re excited to announce that the latest updates to PAMS are now live as of today, 7/2/2025! These enhancements are designed to improve usability and provide greater flexibility for Department Administrators and Fund Managers.
Training materials for these new features are available on the EFM website. Additional details will also be shared during the upcoming Research Administration Forum (RAF) on Thursday, 7/10/2025. We recommend updating any existing bookmarks or shortcuts to ensure continued access to the latest version of PAMS. For questions about this release, please contact the PAMS Help Desk at PAMSHelp@research.ucla.edu.
1. Advanced Packet Search – New Feature
The Advanced Packet Search is located under the Closeout tab and allows users to search for Home and Link closeout packets based on various criteria. The data is updated in real-time and accessible to both Department Administrators and Fund Managers. Department Administrators have elevated permissions, allowing them to reassign closeout packets directly from this page.
➤ Access the Advanced Packet Search – Department guide here.
2. Ability to Reassign Closeout Packets – New Feature
Department Administrators can now reassign closeout packets to a different Preparer and/or Reviewer through the Assignments page and Advanced Packet Search.
Important Change!: When a closeout packet is initially created in PAMS, the packet Preparer and Reviewer(s) are determined based on the current assignees on the Assignments page. Once the packet is created, the closeout packet assignments will not automatically update and reflect any subsequent changes made to the Assignments page. Any updates to the Preparer or Reviewer(s) listed on the packet must be made manually by the Department Administrator.
➤ Access the Reassigning Closeout Packets guide here.
3. Assignments Page Updates
The Assignments page (located under the Administration tab) has been updated to:
- Add a new column for the ‘Last Assignment Update Date’ field which displays the date a Department Administrator last updated that assignment. This field is currently set to 7/1/25 until changes are made.
- Remove the Reviewer 3 assignment column, as previously shared at the April 2025 RAF.
➤ Access the Assignments guide here.
4. PAMS Assignment Discrepancy Report – New Report
This report identifies Preparer and/or Reviewer mismatches between the Assignments page and closeout packets. The report will be emailed daily (when results exist) to PAMS Department Administrators and is also available on-demand in the PAMS Management Report section. Department Administrators are strongly encouraged to review this report regularly and address discrepancies promptly.
➤ Access the Assignments Discrepancy Report – Department guide here.
5. Changes to Closeout Packet Access
Fund Managers now have access to view the Fund Balance and Approvals page for all Closeout Packets belonging to their cluster. Note that PAMS document security remains the same:
- Department Administrators can view all uploaded documents for any closeout packets belonging to their cluster
- Fund Managers can only view documents for closeout packets where they are assigned as a Preparer or Reviewer
➤ For additional details on closeout packet access, refer to the Closeout Tab guide here.
➤ For additional details on closeout packet document security, refer to the Closeout Packets – Upload, Review, and Route guide here.
6. New Closeout Packet Statuses
Two new closeout packet statuses have been added to PAMS and are visible on the Closeout Packet Worklist and the Advanced Packet Search:
- Submitted: A packet that has been approved by all users and routed to the next approval unit (e.g., EFM or Home)
- Routed: A Home packet that has been manually retrieved by EFM, or a Link packet that was been auto retrieved by the Home department
➤ Access the Financial Deliverable and Closeout Packet Values guide here.
7. Changes to Department Worklist Views
The “My Responsibility” worklist view has been removed from the Department Worklist to improve clarity and usability.
➤ Access the Department Worklist guide here.
8. Multi-Cluster Access
Dual appointment users who support a department(s) outside of their primary PAMS cluster can now request access to an additional cluster. Note that the user’s role (e.g., Department Administrator or Fund Manager) must be the same across all PAMS clusters. To request access to an additional cluster, users must obtain approval from an Authorized Official in the new cluster, and submit a signed & completed New User Request Form to the PAMS Help Desk.
➤ Access the Access to Multiple PAMS Clusters guide here.