Persistent identifiers (PIDs) are assigned to research objects throughout the research lifecycle. PIDs help with research management, enable discovery of research outputs, and make research more FAIR. PIDs become even more powerful when they are connected, creating persistent links between awards, funders, researchers, facilities, instruments, publications, datasets, software, and more. Connections between PIDs enable a deeper understanding of research impact and can help increasing the pace of scientific discovery. Research information systems can play an important role in creating these connections and enabling PIDs to reach their full impact.