Science Communication 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. 

Full applications include:

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. 

If you are interested in participating in the next MSS, you can submit your letter of intent here. 

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. 

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. 

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.