Science Communication Services
Research Editing, Mock Study Section, Science Communication, and more.
Frontiers offers free editing and science communication services to help clinical and translational researchers succeed in communicating their research to others. The Biomedical Communications Manager works with researchers to maximize the clarity and effectiveness of their scientific communications, including grant applications, manuscript submissions/revisions, scientific presentations, and communication with non-scientists. The Biomedical Communications Manager is a scientifically literate, non-expert who can provide feedback to ensure that ideas are well-organized, clearly communicated to the target audience, and concisely and professionally presented. Together, the researcher and Biomedical Communications Manager can develop, refine, and communicate scientific findings and proposals to all audiences.
The services outlined below are available free of charge to Frontiers members from all disciplines and career stages across all Frontiers partner institutions.
Scope of Services
The goal of the Research Editing services offered by Frontiers is to help clinical and translational researchers succeed with grant applications and manuscripts.
Some examples of Research Editing activities include:
- Correcting grammar and word usage
- Reducing word counts
- Refining organization and flow
- Enhancing clarity and specificity
- Creating or improving figures, tables, and graphics
- Standardizing style, voice, narrative, and tone for multi-authored manuscripts
- And more... just ask!
The goal of the Mock Study Section (MSS) is for applicants to receive quality feedback on their applications to increase the quality of their grants and increase the likelihood of funding.
Who can participate:
- Applicants: Frontiers researchers from all disciplines and all career stages are permitted to apply to have their grants reviewed. Early career and postdoctoral researchers, as well as researchers applying for fellowships and career development grants, are especially encouraged to participate in the mock study section.
Click here to apply. - Reviewers: Reviewers are experts in their fields and they are typically senior faculty with NIH review experience. Although reviewers are usually sourced from Frontiers partner institutions, external researchers will be invited to review when their expertise is required.
- Observers: All Frontiers members are encouraged to attend the MSS as observers if they want to see how the study section is run or if they would like to learn what to expect when submitting an application for review.
What is the process?
Applicants submit a full grant application before the MSS. They will receive written critiques of their proposals from three reviewers with expertise in their area of research and prior NIH funding and study section panel experience. The Frontiers MSS currently accepts submissions for R-, K-, and F-series proposals. Here is a list of components that are required for participation.
When is the next MSS?
Mock Study Section is offered twice a year. The Spring 2024 MSS was April 19th, 2024 at Kansas City University. The Fall 2024 MSS is December 6th, 2024 at Kansas State University - Olathe Campus.
Letters of Intent for the Fall 2024 Mock Study Section were due September 30th, 2024. Check back for Spring 2025.
If you would like to attend the Fall 2024 Mock Study Section, you may register here. All Applicants, Reviewers, Support Staff, and Observers should register to attend.
The goal of Frontiers' Science Communication services is to help researchers communicate their research to a variety of audiences, including but not limited to experts, non-experts, scientists, non-scientists, students, educators, policy makers, and elected officials. To help researchers tell their stories, the Biomedical Communications Manager can assist with creating abstracts, posters, presentations, infographics, figures, and elevator talks/pitches.
For this poster, I assisted the lead author with developing the introduction and method diagrams and the results figures. I also helped the author reduce their word count and standardize text formatting. 
The Biomedical Communications Manager can help researchers respond to manuscript and grant reviews by creating a revision action plan to consolidate reviewer critiques into actionable steps. Additionally, they can also provide researchers with letters of support from Frontiers that offer collaboration with Frontiers' many research cores.
Eligibility, Priority, and Timeline
The Science Communication Services are open (and free!) to clinical and translational researchers at all of Frontiers' partner institutions. Frontiers makes efforts to accommodate all requests for scientific communication services, but the Biomedical Communications Manager may triage requests during busy periods.
Priority is based on timing and type of request, researcher's career stage, and alignment with the overarching goals of Frontiers. Consideration is given to those who:
- Are engaged in Frontiers' programs (trainees, awardees, etc.)
- Are early-career investigators moving towards independent research careers.
- Are engaged with groups that are historically excluded or under-represented in clinical and translational research.
When necessary, deadlines for submission are also considered.
It is highly recommended that researchers contact the Biomedical Communications Manager early to allow for an initial consultation and multiple iterations before the finished project. The following turnaround times are requested, at minimum:
- 1-2 Weeks: Abstracts, Figures, Tables, Graphics, Formatting
- 2-3 Week: Posters, Oral Presentations (slides), Manuscripts (<20 pages)
- 3-4+ Weeks: Full Grant Proposals, Manuscripts (>20 pages), Revision Action Plans
Most funding agencies recommend starting an application 3-6 months before the deadline. Advance preparation ensures time for multiple rounds of review and feedback - from the funding agency, as well as from mentors, colleagues and editing services. Take time to understand agency priorities, get to know your audience, and refine your writing. To maximize the quality of support for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) application, please contact the Biomedical Communications Manager at least one month prior to the external deadline.
Grant Library and Grant Writing Resources
Frontiers is in the process of developing a Grant Library with examples of funded grant proposals. If you would like to volunteer to submit a funded grant, please contact Heather Fielding-Gebhardt, hfieldinggebhardt@kumc.edu.
If you are working on a submission and need boilerplates for Frontiers resources, please contact Heather Fielding-Gebhardt, hfieldinggebhardt@kumc.edu.
The NIH provides tools, templates, and resources to support investigators writing grant proposals. The links below provide access to some of these resources and templates.
Writing an NIH Grant Application
How to Write the NIH Specific Aims Page
NIH Next-Generation Researchers Initiative
NIH Rigor and Reproducibility Guidelines
NIH Bio-Sketch Samples and Guidelines
NIH Mission Statements for Institutes and Centers (ICs)
Meet the Team
Heather Fielding-Gebhardt, Ph.D.
Biomedical Writer/Science Communications Manager
hfieldinggebhardt@kumc.eduInterested in Learning More?
One of our Navigators would be happy to assist you in learning more about their respective areas by contacting us below.
