research summaries projects

• Privacy Policy

Home » Research Summary – Structure, Examples and Writing Guide

Research Summary – Structure, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Research Summary

Definition:

A research summary is a brief and concise overview of a research project or study that highlights its key findings, main points, and conclusions. It typically includes a description of the research problem, the research methods used, the results obtained, and the implications or significance of the findings. It is often used as a tool to quickly communicate the main findings of a study to other researchers, stakeholders, or decision-makers.

Structure of Research Summary

The Structure of a Research Summary typically include:

• Introduction : This section provides a brief background of the research problem or question, explains the purpose of the study, and outlines the research objectives.
• Methodology : This section explains the research design, methods, and procedures used to conduct the study. It describes the sample size, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
• Results : This section presents the main findings of the study, including statistical analysis if applicable. It may include tables, charts, or graphs to visually represent the data.
• Discussion : This section interprets the results and explains their implications. It discusses the significance of the findings, compares them to previous research, and identifies any limitations or future directions for research.
• Conclusion : This section summarizes the main points of the research and provides a conclusion based on the findings. It may also suggest implications for future research or practical applications of the results.
• References : This section lists the sources cited in the research summary, following the appropriate citation style.

How to Write Research Summary

Here are the steps you can follow to write a research summary:

• Read the research article or study thoroughly: To write a summary, you must understand the research article or study you are summarizing. Therefore, read the article or study carefully to understand its purpose, research design, methodology, results, and conclusions.
• Identify the main points : Once you have read the research article or study, identify the main points, key findings, and research question. You can highlight or take notes of the essential points and findings to use as a reference when writing your summary.
• Write the introduction: Start your summary by introducing the research problem, research question, and purpose of the study. Briefly explain why the research is important and its significance.
• Summarize the methodology : In this section, summarize the research design, methods, and procedures used to conduct the study. Explain the sample size, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
• Present the results: Summarize the main findings of the study. Use tables, charts, or graphs to visually represent the data if necessary.
• Interpret the results: In this section, interpret the results and explain their implications. Discuss the significance of the findings, compare them to previous research, and identify any limitations or future directions for research.
• Conclude the summary : Summarize the main points of the research and provide a conclusion based on the findings. Suggest implications for future research or practical applications of the results.
• Revise and edit : Once you have written the summary, revise and edit it to ensure that it is clear, concise, and free of errors. Make sure that your summary accurately represents the research article or study.
• Add references: Include a list of references cited in the research summary, following the appropriate citation style.

Example of Research Summary

Here is an example of a research summary:

Title: The Effects of Yoga on Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: This meta-analysis examines the effects of yoga on mental health. The study aimed to investigate whether yoga practice can improve mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life.

Methodology : The study analyzed data from 14 randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of yoga on mental health outcomes. The sample included a total of 862 participants. The yoga interventions varied in length and frequency, ranging from four to twelve weeks, with sessions lasting from 45 to 90 minutes.

Results : The meta-analysis found that yoga practice significantly improved mental health outcomes. Participants who practiced yoga showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as stress levels. Quality of life also improved in those who practiced yoga.

Discussion : The findings of this study suggest that yoga can be an effective intervention for improving mental health outcomes. The study supports the growing body of evidence that suggests that yoga can have a positive impact on mental health. Limitations of the study include the variability of the yoga interventions, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.

Conclusion : Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis support the use of yoga as an effective intervention for improving mental health outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal length and frequency of yoga interventions for different populations.

References :

• Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., Dobos, G., & Berger, B. (2013). Yoga for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Depression and anxiety, 30(11), 1068-1083.
• Khalsa, S. B. (2004). Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: a bibliometric analysis of published research studies. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 48(3), 269-285.
• Ross, A., & Thomas, S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparison studies. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 3-12.

Purpose of Research Summary

The purpose of a research summary is to provide a brief overview of a research project or study, including its main points, findings, and conclusions. The summary allows readers to quickly understand the essential aspects of the research without having to read the entire article or study.

Research summaries serve several purposes, including:

• Facilitating comprehension: A research summary allows readers to quickly understand the main points and findings of a research project or study without having to read the entire article or study. This makes it easier for readers to comprehend the research and its significance.
• Communicating research findings: Research summaries are often used to communicate research findings to a wider audience, such as policymakers, practitioners, or the general public. The summary presents the essential aspects of the research in a clear and concise manner, making it easier for non-experts to understand.
• Supporting decision-making: Research summaries can be used to support decision-making processes by providing a summary of the research evidence on a particular topic. This information can be used by policymakers or practitioners to make informed decisions about interventions, programs, or policies.
• Saving time: Research summaries save time for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders who need to review multiple research studies. Rather than having to read the entire article or study, they can quickly review the summary to determine whether the research is relevant to their needs.

Characteristics of Research Summary

The following are some of the key characteristics of a research summary:

• Concise : A research summary should be brief and to the point, providing a clear and concise overview of the main points of the research.
• Objective : A research summary should be written in an objective tone, presenting the research findings without bias or personal opinion.
• Comprehensive : A research summary should cover all the essential aspects of the research, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions.
• Accurate : A research summary should accurately reflect the key findings and conclusions of the research.
• Clear and well-organized: A research summary should be easy to read and understand, with a clear structure and logical flow.
• Relevant : A research summary should focus on the most important and relevant aspects of the research, highlighting the key findings and their implications.
• Audience-specific: A research summary should be tailored to the intended audience, using language and terminology that is appropriate and accessible to the reader.
• Citations : A research summary should include citations to the original research articles or studies, allowing readers to access the full text of the research if desired.

When to write Research Summary

Here are some situations when it may be appropriate to write a research summary:

• Proposal stage: A research summary can be included in a research proposal to provide a brief overview of the research aims, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Conference presentation: A research summary can be prepared for a conference presentation to summarize the main findings of a study or research project.
• Journal submission: Many academic journals require authors to submit a research summary along with their research article or study. The summary provides a brief overview of the study’s main points, findings, and conclusions and helps readers quickly understand the research.
• Funding application: A research summary can be included in a funding application to provide a brief summary of the research aims, objectives, and expected outcomes.
• Policy brief: A research summary can be prepared as a policy brief to communicate research findings to policymakers or stakeholders in a concise and accessible manner.

Advantages of Research Summary

Research summaries offer several advantages, including:

• Time-saving: A research summary saves time for readers who need to understand the key findings and conclusions of a research project quickly. Rather than reading the entire research article or study, readers can quickly review the summary to determine whether the research is relevant to their needs.
• Clarity and accessibility: A research summary provides a clear and accessible overview of the research project’s main points, making it easier for readers to understand the research without having to be experts in the field.
• Improved comprehension: A research summary helps readers comprehend the research by providing a brief and focused overview of the key findings and conclusions, making it easier to understand the research and its significance.
• Enhanced communication: Research summaries can be used to communicate research findings to a wider audience, such as policymakers, practitioners, or the general public, in a concise and accessible manner.
• Facilitated decision-making: Research summaries can support decision-making processes by providing a summary of the research evidence on a particular topic. Policymakers or practitioners can use this information to make informed decisions about interventions, programs, or policies.
• Increased dissemination: Research summaries can be easily shared and disseminated, allowing research findings to reach a wider audience.

Limitations of Research Summary

Limitations of the Research Summary are as follows:

• Limited scope: Research summaries provide a brief overview of the research project’s main points, findings, and conclusions, which can be limiting. They may not include all the details, nuances, and complexities of the research that readers may need to fully understand the study’s implications.
• Risk of oversimplification: Research summaries can be oversimplified, reducing the complexity of the research and potentially distorting the findings or conclusions.
• Lack of context: Research summaries may not provide sufficient context to fully understand the research findings, such as the research background, methodology, or limitations. This may lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the research.
• Possible bias: Research summaries may be biased if they selectively emphasize certain findings or conclusions over others, potentially distorting the overall picture of the research.
• Format limitations: Research summaries may be constrained by the format or length requirements, making it challenging to fully convey the research’s main points, findings, and conclusions.
• Accessibility: Research summaries may not be accessible to all readers, particularly those with limited literacy skills, visual impairments, or language barriers.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Data Collection – Methods Types and Examples

Delimitations in Research – Types, Examples and...

Research Process – Steps, Examples and Tips

Research Design – Types, Methods and Examples

Institutional Review Board – Application Sample...

Evaluating Research – Process, Examples and...

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer
• QuestionPro

• Solutions Industries Gaming Automotive Sports and events Education Government Travel & Hospitality Financial Services Healthcare Cannabis Technology Use Case NPS+ Communities Audience Contactless surveys Mobile LivePolls Member Experience GDPR Positive People Science 360 Feedback Surveys
• Resources Blog eBooks Survey Templates Case Studies Training Help center

Home Surveys Academic Research

Research Summary: What is it & how to write one

The Research Summary is used to report facts about a study clearly. You will almost certainly be required to prepare a research summary during your academic research or while on a research project for your organization.

If it is the first time you have to write one, the writing requirements may confuse you. The instructors generally assign someone to write a summary of the research work. Research summaries require the writer to have a thorough understanding of the issue.

This article will discuss the definition of a research summary and how to write one.

What is a research summary?

A research summary is a piece of writing that summarizes your research on a specific topic. Its primary goal is to offer the reader a detailed overview of the study with the key findings. A research summary generally contains the article’s structure in which it is written.

You must know the goal of your analysis before you launch a project. A research overview summarizes the detailed response and highlights particular issues raised in it. Writing it might be somewhat troublesome. To write a good overview, you want to start with a structure in mind. Read on for our guide.

Why is an analysis recap so important?

Your summary or analysis is going to tell readers everything about your research project. This is the critical piece that your stakeholders will read to identify your findings and valuable insights. Having a good and concise research summary that presents facts and comes with no research biases is the critical deliverable of any research project.

We’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you write a good research summary below.

Research Summary Guide

• Why was this research done?  – You want to give a clear description of why this research study was done. What hypothesis was being tested?
• Who was surveyed? – The what and why or your research decides who you’re going to interview/survey. Your research summary has a detailed note on who participated in the study and why they were selected. 
• What was the methodology? – Talk about the methodology. Did you do face-to-face interviews? Was it a short or long survey or a focus group setting? Your research methodology is key to the results you’re going to get. 
• What were the key findings? – This can be the most critical part of the process. What did we find out after testing the hypothesis? This section, like all others, should be just facts, facts facts. You’re not sharing how you feel about the findings. Keep it bias-free.
• Conclusion – What are the conclusions that were drawn from the findings. A good example of a conclusion. Surprisingly, most people interviewed did not watch the lunar eclipse in 2022, which is unexpected given that 100% of those interviewed knew about it before it happened.
• Takeaways and action points – This is where you bring in your suggestion. Given the data you now have from the research, what are the takeaways and action points? If you’re a researcher running this research project for your company, you’ll use this part to shed light on your recommended action plans for the business.

LEARN ABOUT:   Action Research

If you’re doing any research, you will write a summary, which will be the most viewed and more important part of the project. So keep a guideline in mind before you start. Focus on the content first and then worry about the length. Use the cheat sheet/checklist in this article to organize your summary, and that’s all you need to write a great research summary!

But once your summary is ready, where is it stored? Most teams have multiple documents in their google drives, and it’s a nightmare to find projects that were done in the past. Your research data should be democratized and easy to use.

We at QuestionPro launched a research repository for research teams, and our clients love it. All your data is in one place, and everything is searchable, including your research summaries! 

Authors: Prachi, Anas

MORE LIKE THIS

The Best Email Survey Tool to Boost Your Feedback Game

May 7, 2024

Top 10 Employee Engagement Survey Tools

Top 20 Employee Engagement Software Solutions

May 3, 2024

15 Best Customer Experience Software of 2024

May 2, 2024

Other categories

• Academic Research
• Artificial Intelligence
• Assessments
• Brand Awareness
• Case Studies
• Communities
• Consumer Insights
• Customer effort score
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Experience
• Customer Loyalty
• Customer Research
• Customer Satisfaction
• Employee Benefits
• Employee Engagement
• Employee Retention
• Friday Five
• General Data Protection Regulation
• Insights Hub
• Life@QuestionPro
• Market Research
• Mobile diaries
• Mobile Surveys
• New Features
• Online Communities
• Question Types
• Questionnaire
• QuestionPro Products
• Release Notes
• Research Tools and Apps
• Revenue at Risk
• Survey Templates
• Training Tips
• Uncategorized
• Video Learning Series
• What’s Coming Up
• Workforce Intelligence

How to write a research plan: Step-by-step guide

Last updated

30 January 2024

Reviewed by

Today’s businesses and institutions rely on data and analytics to inform their product and service decisions. These metrics influence how organizations stay competitive and inspire innovation. However, gathering data and insights requires carefully constructed research, and every research project needs a roadmap. This is where a research plan comes into play.

There’s general research planning; then there’s an official, well-executed research plan. Whatever data-driven research project you’re gearing up for, the research plan will be your framework for execution. The plan should also be detailed and thorough, with a diligent set of criteria to formulate your research efforts. Not including these key elements in your plan can be just as harmful as having no plan at all.

Read this step-by-step guide for writing a detailed research plan that can apply to any project, whether it’s scientific, educational, or business-related.

• What is a research plan?

A research plan is a documented overview of a project in its entirety, from end to end. It details the research efforts, participants, and methods needed, along with any anticipated results. It also outlines the project’s goals and mission, creating layers of steps to achieve those goals within a specified timeline.

Without a research plan, you and your team are flying blind, potentially wasting time and resources to pursue research without structured guidance.

The principal investigator, or PI, is responsible for facilitating the research oversight. They will create the research plan and inform team members and stakeholders of every detail relating to the project. The PI will also use the research plan to inform decision-making throughout the project.

• Why do you need a research plan?

Create a research plan before starting any official research to maximize every effort in pursuing and collecting the research data. Crucially, the plan will model the activities needed at each phase of the research project.

Like any roadmap, a research plan serves as a valuable tool providing direction for those involved in the project—both internally and externally. It will keep you and your immediate team organized and task-focused while also providing necessary definitions and timelines so you can execute your project initiatives with full understanding and transparency.

External stakeholders appreciate a working research plan because it’s a great communication tool, documenting progress and changing dynamics as they arise. Any participants of your planned research sessions will be informed about the purpose of your study, while the exercises will be based on the key messaging outlined in the official plan.

Here are some of the benefits of creating a research plan document for every project:

Project organization and structure

Well-informed participants

All stakeholders and teams align in support of the project

Clearly defined project definitions and purposes

Distractions are eliminated, prioritizing task focus

Timely management of individual task schedules and roles

Costly reworks are avoided

• What should a research plan include?

The different aspects of your research plan will depend on the nature of the project. However, most official research plan documents will include the core elements below. Each aims to define the problem statement, devising an official plan for seeking a solution.

Specific project goals and individual objectives

Ideal strategies or methods for reaching those goals

Required resources

Descriptions of the target audience, sample sizes, demographics, and scopes

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Project background

Research and testing support

Preliminary studies and progress reporting mechanisms

Cost estimates and change order processes

Depending on the research project’s size and scope, your research plan could be brief—perhaps only a few pages of documented plans. Alternatively, it could be a fully comprehensive report. Either way, it’s an essential first step in dictating your project’s facilitation in the most efficient and effective way.

• How to write a research plan for your project

When you start writing your research plan, aim to be detailed about each step, requirement, and idea. The more time you spend curating your research plan, the more precise your research execution efforts will be.

Account for every potential scenario, and be sure to address each and every aspect of the research.

Consider following this flow to develop a great research plan for your project:

Define your project’s purpose

Start by defining your project’s purpose. Identify what your project aims to accomplish and what you are researching. Remember to use clear language.

Thinking about the project’s purpose will help you set realistic goals and inform how you divide tasks and assign responsibilities. These individual tasks will be your stepping stones to reach your overarching goal.

Additionally, you’ll want to identify the specific problem, the usability metrics needed, and the intended solutions.

Know the following three things about your project’s purpose before you outline anything else:

What you’re doing

Why you’re doing it

What you expect from it

Identify individual objectives

With your overarching project objectives in place, you can identify any individual goals or steps needed to reach those objectives. Break them down into phases or steps. You can work backward from the project goal and identify every process required to facilitate it.

Be mindful to identify each unique task so that you can assign responsibilities to various team members. At this point in your research plan development, you’ll also want to assign priority to those smaller, more manageable steps and phases that require more immediate or dedicated attention.

Select research methods

Research methods might include any of the following:

User interviews: this is a qualitative research method where researchers engage with participants in one-on-one or group conversations. The aim is to gather insights into their experiences, preferences, and opinions to uncover patterns, trends, and data.

Field studies: this approach allows for a contextual understanding of behaviors, interactions, and processes in real-world settings. It involves the researcher immersing themselves in the field, conducting observations, interviews, or experiments to gather in-depth insights.

Card sorting: participants categorize information by sorting content cards into groups based on their perceived similarities. You might use this process to gain insights into participants’ mental models and preferences when navigating or organizing information on websites, apps, or other systems.

Focus groups: use organized discussions among select groups of participants to provide relevant views and experiences about a particular topic.

Diary studies: ask participants to record their experiences, thoughts, and activities in a diary over a specified period. This method provides a deeper understanding of user experiences, uncovers patterns, and identifies areas for improvement.

Five-second testing: participants are shown a design, such as a web page or interface, for just five seconds. They then answer questions about their initial impressions and recall, allowing you to evaluate the design’s effectiveness.

Surveys: get feedback from participant groups with structured surveys. You can use online forms, telephone interviews, or paper questionnaires to reveal trends, patterns, and correlations.

Tree testing: tree testing involves researching web assets through the lens of findability and navigability. Participants are given a textual representation of the site’s hierarchy (the “tree”) and asked to locate specific information or complete tasks by selecting paths.

Usability testing: ask participants to interact with a product, website, or application to evaluate its ease of use. This method enables you to uncover areas for improvement in digital key feature functionality by observing participants using the product.

Live website testing: research and collect analytics that outlines the design, usability, and performance efficiencies of a website in real time.

There are no limits to the number of research methods you could use within your project. Just make sure your research methods help you determine the following:

What do you plan to do with the research findings?

What decisions will this research inform? How can your stakeholders leverage the research data and results?

Recruit participants and allocate tasks

Next, identify the participants needed to complete the research and the resources required to complete the tasks. Different people will be proficient at different tasks, and having a task allocation plan will allow everything to run smoothly.

Prepare a thorough project summary

Every well-designed research plan will feature a project summary. This official summary will guide your research alongside its communications or messaging. You’ll use the summary while recruiting participants and during stakeholder meetings. It can also be useful when conducting field studies.

Ensure this summary includes all the elements of your research project. Separate the steps into an easily explainable piece of text that includes the following:

An introduction: the message you’ll deliver to participants about the interview, pre-planned questioning, and testing tasks.

Interview questions: prepare questions you intend to ask participants as part of your research study, guiding the sessions from start to finish.

An exit message: draft messaging your teams will use to conclude testing or survey sessions. These should include the next steps and express gratitude for the participant’s time.

Create a realistic timeline

While your project might already have a deadline or a results timeline in place, you’ll need to consider the time needed to execute it effectively.

Realistically outline the time needed to properly execute each supporting phase of research and implementation. And, as you evaluate the necessary schedules, be sure to include additional time for achieving each milestone in case any changes or unexpected delays arise.

For this part of your research plan, you might find it helpful to create visuals to ensure your research team and stakeholders fully understand the information.

Determine how to present your results

A research plan must also describe how you intend to present your results. Depending on the nature of your project and its goals, you might dedicate one team member (the PI) or assume responsibility for communicating the findings yourself.

In this part of the research plan, you’ll articulate how you’ll share the results. Detail any materials you’ll use, such as:

Presentations and slides

A project report booklet

A project findings pamphlet

Documents with key takeaways and statistics

Graphic visuals to support your findings

• Format your research plan

As you create your research plan, you can enjoy a little creative freedom. A plan can assume many forms, so format it how you see fit. Determine the best layout based on your specific project, intended communications, and the preferences of your teams and stakeholders.

Find format inspiration among the following layouts:

Written outlines

Narrative storytelling

Visual mapping

Graphic timelines

Remember, the research plan format you choose will be subject to change and adaptation as your research and findings unfold. However, your final format should ideally outline questions, problems, opportunities, and expectations.

• Research plan example

Imagine you’ve been tasked with finding out how to get more customers to order takeout from an online food delivery platform. The goal is to improve satisfaction and retain existing customers. You set out to discover why more people aren’t ordering and what it is they do want to order or experience. 

You identify the need for a research project that helps you understand what drives customer loyalty. But before you jump in and start calling past customers, you need to develop a research plan—the roadmap that provides focus, clarity, and realistic details to the project.

Here’s an example outline of a research plan you might put together:

Project title

Project members involved in the research plan

Purpose of the project (provide a summary of the research plan’s intent)

Objective 1 (provide a short description for each objective)

Objective 2

Objective 3

Proposed timeline

Audience (detail the group you want to research, such as customers or non-customers)

Budget (how much you think it might cost to do the research)

Risk factors/contingencies (any potential risk factors that may impact the project’s success)

Remember, your research plan doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel—it just needs to fit your project’s unique needs and aims.

Customizing a research plan template

Some companies offer research plan templates to help get you started. However, it may make more sense to develop your own customized plan template. Be sure to include the core elements of a great research plan with your template layout, including the following:

Introductions to participants and stakeholders

Background problems and needs statement

Significance, ethics, and purpose

Research methods, questions, and designs

Preliminary beliefs and expectations

Implications and intended outcomes

Realistic timelines for each phase

Conclusion and presentations

How many pages should a research plan be?

Generally, a research plan can vary in length between 500 to 1,500 words. This is roughly three pages of content. More substantial projects will be 2,000 to 3,500 words, taking up four to seven pages of planning documents.

What is the difference between a research plan and a research proposal?

A research plan is a roadmap to success for research teams. A research proposal, on the other hand, is a dissertation aimed at convincing or earning the support of others. Both are relevant in creating a guide to follow to complete a project goal.

What are the seven steps to developing a research plan?

While each research project is different, it’s best to follow these seven general steps to create your research plan:

Defining the problem

Identifying goals

Choosing research methods

Recruiting participants

Preparing the brief or summary

Establishing task timelines

Defining how you will present the findings

Editor’s picks

Last updated: 11 January 2024

Last updated: 15 January 2024

Last updated: 25 November 2023

Last updated: 12 May 2023

Last updated: 30 April 2024

Last updated: 18 May 2023

Last updated: 10 April 2023

Latest articles

Related topics, .css-je19u9{-webkit-align-items:flex-end;-webkit-box-align:flex-end;-ms-flex-align:flex-end;align-items:flex-end;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;row-gap:0;text-align:center;max-width:671px;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}}@media (max-width: 799px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}} decide what to .css-1kiodld{max-height:56px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-1kiodld{display:none;}} build next, decide what to build next.

Users report unexpectedly high data usage, especially during streaming sessions.

Users find it hard to navigate from the home page to relevant playlists in the app.

It would be great to have a sleep timer feature, especially for bedtime listening.

I need better filters to find the songs or artists I’m looking for.

Log in or sign up

Get started for free

• Research Summary: What Is It & How To Write One

Introduction

A research summary is a requirement during academic research and sometimes you might need to prepare a research summary during a research project for an organization.

Most people find a research summary a daunting task as you are required to condense complex research material into an informative, easy-to-understand article most times with a minimum of 300-500 words.

In this post, we will guide you through all the steps required to make writing your research summary an easier task. 

What is a Research Summary?

A research summary is a piece of writing that summarizes the research of a specific topic into bite-size easy-to-read and comprehend articles. The primary goal is to give the reader a detailed outline of the key findings of a research.

It is an unavoidable requirement in colleges and universities. To write a good research summary, you must understand the goal of your research, as this would help make the process easier. 

A research summary preserves the structure and sections of the article it is derived from.

Research Summary or Abstract: What’s The Difference?

The Research Summary and Abstract are similar, especially as they are both brief, straight to the point, and provide an overview of the entire research paper. However, there are very clear differences.

To begin with, a Research summary is written at the end of a research activity, while the Abstract is written at the beginning of a research paper. 

A Research Summary captures the main points of a study, with an emphasis on the topic, method , and discoveries, an Abstract is a description of what your research paper would talk about and the reason for your research or the hypothesis you are trying to validate.

Let us take a deeper look at the difference between both terms.

What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a short version of a research paper. It is written to convey the findings of the research to the reader. It provides the reader with information that would help them understand the research, by giving them a clear idea about the subject matter of a research paper. It is usually submitted before the presentation of a research paper.

What is a Summary?

A summary is a short form of an essay, a research paper, or a chapter in a book. A research summary is a narration of a research study, condensing the focal points of research to a shorter form, usually aligned with the same structure of the research study, from which the summary is derived.

What Is The Difference Between an Abstract and a Summary?

An abstract communicates the main points of a research paper, it includes the questions, major findings, the importance of the findings, etc.

An abstract reflects the perceptions of the author about a topic, while a research summary reflects the ideology of the research study that is being summarized.

Getting Started with a Research Summary

Before commencing a research summary, there is a need to understand the style and organization of the content you plan to summarize. There are three fundamental areas of the research that should be the focal point:

• When deciding on the content include a section that speaks to the importance of the research, and the techniques and tools used to arrive at your conclusion.
• Keep the summary well organized, and use paragraphs to discuss the various sections of the research.
• Restrict your research to 300-400 words which is the standard practice for research summaries globally. However, if the research paper you want to summarize is a lengthy one, do not exceed 10% of the entire research material.

Once you have satisfied the requirements of the fundamentals for starting your research summary, you can now begin to write using the following format:

• Why was this research done?   – A clear description of the reason the research was embarked on and the hypothesis being tested.
• Who was surveyed? – Your research study should have details of the source of your information. If it was via a survey, you should document who the participants of the survey were and the reason that they were selected.
• What was the methodology? – Discuss the methodology, in terms of what kind of survey method did you adopt. Was it a face-to-face interview, a phone interview, or a focus group setting?
• What were the key findings? – This is perhaps the most vital part of the process. What discoveries did you make after the testing? This part should be based on raw facts free from any personal bias.
• Conclusion – What conclusions did you draw from the findings?
• Takeaways and action points – This is where your views and perception can be reflected. Here, you can now share your recommendations or action points.
• Identify the focal point of the article –  In other to get a grasp of the content covered in the research paper, you can skim the article first, in a bid to understand the most essential part of the research paper. 
• Analyze and understand the topic and article – Writing a summary of a research paper involves being familiar with the topic –  the current state of knowledge, key definitions, concepts, and models. This is often gleaned while reading the literature review. Please note that only a deep understanding ensures efficient and accurate summarization of the content.
• Make notes as you read – Highlight and summarize each paragraph as you read. Your notes are what you would further condense to create a draft that would form your research summary.

How to Structure Your Research Summary

• Title – This highlights the area of analysis, and can be formulated to briefly highlight key findings.
• Abstract – this is a very brief and comprehensive description of the study, required in every academic article, with a length of 100-500 words at most. 
• Introduction – this is a vital part of any research summary, it provides the context and the literature review that gently introduces readers to the subject matter. The introduction usually covers definitions, questions, and hypotheses of the research study. 
• Methodology –This section emphasizes the process and or data analysis methods used, in terms of experiments, surveys, sampling, or statistical analysis. 
• Results section – this section lists in detail the results derived from the research with evidence obtained from all the experiments conducted.
• Discussion – these parts discuss the results within the context of current knowledge among subject matter experts. Interpretation of results and theoretical models explaining the observed results, the strengths of the study, and the limitations experienced are going to be a part of the discussion. 
• Conclusion – In a conclusion, hypotheses are discussed and revalidated or denied, based on how convincing the evidence is.
• References – this section is for giving credit to those who work you studied to create your summary. You do this by providing appropriate citations as you write.

Research Summary Example 1

Below are some defining elements of a sample research summary.

Title – “The probability of an unexpected volcanic eruption in Greenwich”

Introduction – this section would list the catastrophic consequences that occurred in the country and the importance of analyzing this event. 

Hypothesis –  An eruption of the Greenwich supervolcano would be preceded by intense preliminary activity manifesting in advance, before the eruption.

Results – these could contain a report of statistical data from various volcanic eruptions happening globally while looking critically at the activity that occurred before these events. 

Discussion and conclusion – Given that Greenwich is now consistently monitored by scientists and that signs of an eruption are usually detected before the volcanic eruption, this confirms the hypothesis. Hence creating an emergency plan outlining other intervention measures and ultimately evacuation is essential. 

Research Summary Example 2

Below is another sample sketch.

Title – “The frequency of extreme weather events in the UK in 2000-2008 as compared to the ‘60s”

Introduction – Weather events bring intense material damage and cause pain to the victims affected.

Hypothesis – Extreme weather events are more frequent in recent times compared to the ‘50s

Results – The frequency of several categories of extreme events now and then are listed here, such as droughts, fires, massive rainfall/snowfalls, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

Discussion and conclusion – Several types of extreme events have become more commonplace in recent times, confirming the hypothesis. This rise in extreme weather events can be traced to rising CO2 levels and increasing temperatures and global warming explain the rising frequency of these disasters. Addressing the rising CO2 levels and paying attention to climate change is the only to combat this phenomenon.

A research summary is the short form of a research paper, analyzing the important aspect of the study. Everyone who reads a research summary has a full grasp of the main idea being discussed in the original research paper. Conducting any research means you will write a summary, which is an important part of your project and would be the most read part of your project.

Having a guideline before you start helps, this would form your checklist which would guide your actions as you write your research summary. It is important to note that a Research Summary is different from an Abstract paper written at the beginning of a research paper, describing the idea behind a research paper.

Connect to Formplus, Get Started Now - It's Free!

• abstract in research papers
• abstract writing
• action research
• research summary
• research summary vs abstract
• research surveys
• Angela Kayode-Sanni

You may also like:

Research Questions: Definitions, Types + [Examples]

A comprehensive guide on the definition of research questions, types, importance, good and bad research question examples

How to Write An Abstract For Research Papers: Tips & Examples

In this article, we will share some tips for writing an effective abstract, plus samples you can learn from.

The McNamara Fallacy: How Researchers Can Detect and to Avoid it.

Introduction The McNamara Fallacy is a common problem in research. It happens when researchers take a single piece of data as evidence...

Action Research: What it is, Stages & Examples

Introduction Action research is an evidence-based approach that has been used for years in the field of education and social sciences....

Formplus - For Seamless Data Collection

Collect data the right way with a versatile data collection tool. try formplus and transform your work productivity today..

• Contact sales

Start free trial

How to Write a Project Summary (Free Template Included)

There’s a lot of work involved in getting a project approved. You need to convince stakeholders or clients that the project is worthwhile. This should be done upfront and is usually accomplished via the project summary.

That’s a lot of responsibility for a project summary, which by definition is a short overview of the project. Therefore, nothing can be wasted. Every word must count towards proving that the project is viable and will deliver a return on investment.

What Is a Project Summary?

To start, let’s define the term. A project summary is a document or part of a larger document that’s comprehensive but concise in providing an overview of the proposed project, including key details. It also outlines the project’s objectives, background information to place it in context, requirements, problems, analysis and ends with a conclusion.

While the project summary can be a standalone document or a preface to other types of project documentation , it is most commonly used as the introduction for the project proposal. As noted, a project summary has to hook the reader. Like an opening sentence in a book that keeps you reading, the project summary must capture your attention and pull you through the project proposal.

Get your free

Project Summary Template

Use this free Project Summary Template for Word to manage your projects better.

When Should You Use a Project Summary?

The project summary is created during the project pitch. It provides a big-picture view of the project, including a brief description and the essential parts. This is where you’ll start to define the project’s goals, the schedule of tasks that must be executed to deliver the project, an estimation of its budget, etc. to ensure everyone understands the basic plan.

The project summary might be the most important part of your project proposal as it’s the first time the reader will be exposed to the project and why you believe it’s worth executing. Make sure to conduct thorough research to create a well-rounded project summary. This can help convince a client or stakeholder of the value of the project.

Even though a project proposal opens with the project summary, it’s not uncommon for this to be the last section that’s written. If you’re thoroughly researching the topic, you’ll be addressing issues that come up in other sections of the project proposal. Therefore, when you complete the proposal, you’ll have all the information you need to properly create an executive summary .

If done right, the project summary will lead the client through the project proposal and once they’re done, they’ll approve the work. It’s good to have all that documentation in project management software so you can easily turn the project summary into a project plan. ProjectManager is online project management software with unlimited file storage to act as the hub for your project documentation. If you collect the project proposal in our list view, it’s easy to toggle to the Gantt chart where you can create a visual schedule on a timeline. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

What Should Be Included In a Project Summary?

A project summary should be short, but you don’t want to shortchange the project and not give the summary enough room to sell the project to the stakeholder or client. You’ll want to avoid jargon and proprietary or confidential information, such as trade secrets. Write in plain, easy-to-understand sentences. The project summary shouldn’t be difficult to comprehend.

Project Information

You’ll begin by outlining high-level information about the project, including:

• Project name
• Project manager
• Project sponsor

You can add the project team if they’ve been assembled at this point. It’s also a good idea to provide a brief overview of the project, goals and objectives , benefits, etc. Note what it is you’re going to accomplish and how. Plus, when dealing with projects outside of your organization, a background is advisable.

Project Schedule

The project schedule is a chronological timeline that charts the project from beginning to end. On that timeline are the activities and tasks that must be executed to achieve the final project deliverable. This includes dates, duration, milestones and all deliverables. You don’t have to be as thorough as when planning your project plan, but a brief outline is necessary.

Project Budget

The budget is often included in the project schedule and isn’t a detailed forecast of costs, but it’s still an important component and should be included. You’ll want to have some financial projections to show how much the project will cost and what sort of return is expected. A budget baseline is also helpful.

Resource Plan

To further help stakeholders understand the project you want to include a list of resources. Resources are anything you need to complete the project. This includes the project team, materials, equipment, etc.

Risk Management Overview

Every project has inherent risks. Stakeholders want to know what risks you identify as potentially occurring in the project, their impact and how you’ll mitigate them. This includes roadblocks and challenges—anything that will impact the scope, cost and time of the project. Briefly outline your risk management plan . You can go into detail if the project is approved.

Writing a project summary takes a lot of preparation. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is the format. Use our free project summary template for Word and you’ll simply have to fill in the blank fields. Everything you need is there and the project summary template is customizable so you can add your logo and edit the document to suit the specific needs of the project you’re proposing.

How to Write a Project Summary

We’ve gone over the basic components of a project summary. Now let’s look at how to write one. While the project summary is brief by definition, the research is extensive. Follow these steps to make sure you do a thorough job.

1. Talk to Your Team

No single person is equipped to tackle the challenges of a project summary. You need to bring together your project team . They’re the ones who will be executing the project on the front lines, so to speak. They have the expertise and knowledge. Use them as a resource as you research the project.

2. Know Your Audience

The research is one part of convincing stakeholders of the value of the project. How you present it is the other. You need to speak the language of the stakeholders. The tone, word choices and more are all going to change whether you’re speaking to a client or a stakeholder. This is especially true in terms of industry. You’ll address construction differently than manufacturing or IT.

3. Define Your Objectives

You’ll want to make it clear what the objective of the project is and what indicates that the project has been successfully completed. That requires sharing the metrics you’ll use to measure the project. You also need to know the project intent, similar to its mission statement .

4. Write Your Project Summary

Work with your team to write a clear and concise project summary. Make sure you’ve included all the components we’ve mentioned above. Don’t forget to proofread the project summary as nothing looks more unprofessional than bad grammar or misspellings.

Other Project Management Templates to Help Create a Project Summary

The project summary is one of the dozens of free project management templates we have for both Excel and Word. There are templates for every phase of a project. Here are a few that relate to the project summary.

Budget Proposal Template

You can estimate the cost of a project with our free budget proposal template for Excel. It shows potential stakeholders how much the project will cost, from salaries to materials and equipment. There’s also space to add travel, communications and other direct and indirect costs.

Project Timeline Template

A project summary needs to include a brief project timeline. The free project timeline template for Excel can help. It has a column on the left-hand side where you can add tasks, start and end dates, as well as duration, which then automatically populates a visual timeline to the right.

Project Proposal Template

The project summary is part of the larger project proposal. You need to have one to get a project approved and funded. Our free project proposal template for Word includes everything from a summary to the solution, implementation to deliverables.

ProjectManager Is Ideal for Keeping Track of Your Project

Templates can help you organize your ideas and deliver a great project summary and proposal, but once it’s approved you’ll need project management software to plan, manage and track the work. ProjectManager is online software that empowers teams to work more efficiently while giving managers tools to monitor their work in real time.

Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards

Once you have your project schedule on our robust Gantt chart , you can set a baseline, which makes it possible for you to track the planned effort against the actual effort in real time. This data also feeds into our real-time dashboard and is displayed in easy-to-read graphs and charts. You get a high-level view of the progress and performance of your project whenever you want. Unlike competing software products, there’s no time-consuming configuration. It’s ready when you are.

Get Deeper Into the Data With Customizable Reports

When you want to get more detail than a dashboard can provide, generate a report . You can do it with a couple of keystrokes and then customize each to show only the data you want to see. Get status and portfolio reports as well as variance, workload and more. All reports can be easily shared in a variety of formats with stakeholders to keep them updated.

Of course, you need to do more than monitor and track your project in real time to deliver your project on time and within budget. That’s why we have features to help you manage risk, tasks and resources. Our tool makes it fast and easy to onboard your team and helps them collaborate, add comments to tasks and share files. We help you turn a project summary into project success.

ProjectManager is award-winning software that gives you the tools to achieve your project goals and objectives. Get real-time data to help you make more insightful decisions and give your teams a collaborative platform that lets them work better together. Join the teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our tool. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Deliver your projects on time and under budget

Start planning your projects.

• USC Libraries
• Research Guides

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• Executive Summary
• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Reading Research Effectively
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Applying Critical Thinking
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Research Process Video Series
• The C.A.R.S. Model
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tiertiary Sources
• Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Insiderness
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Writing Concisely
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Generative AI and Writing
• USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
• Bibliography

An executive summary is a thorough overview of a research report or other type of document that synthesizes key points for its readers, saving them time and preparing them to understand the study's overall content. It is a separate, stand-alone document of sufficient detail and clarity to ensure that the reader can completely understand the contents of the main research study. An executive summary can be anywhere from 1-10 pages long depending on the length of the report, or it can be the summary of more than one document [e.g., papers submitted for a group project].

Bailey, Edward, P. The Plain English Approach to Business Writing . (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), p. 73-80 Todorovic, Zelimir William and Marietta Wolczacka Frye. “Writing Effective Executive Summaries: An Interdisciplinary Examination.” In United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Conference Proceedings . (Decatur, IL: United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 2009): pp. 662-691.

Importance of a Good Executive Summary

Although an executive summary is similar to an abstract in that they both summarize the contents of a research study, there are several key differences. With research abstracts, the author's recommendations are rarely included, or if they are, they are implicit rather than explicit. Recommendations are generally not stated in academic abstracts because scholars operate in a discursive environment, where debates, discussions, and dialogs are meant to precede the implementation of any new research findings. The conceptual nature of much academic writing also means that recommendations arising from the findings are distributed widely and not easily or usefully encapsulated. Executive summaries are used mainly when a research study has been developed for an organizational partner, funding entity, or other external group that participated in the research . In such cases, the research report and executive summary are often written for policy makers outside of academe, while abstracts are written for the academic community. Professors, therefore, assign the writing of executive summaries so students can practice synthesizing and writing about the contents of comprehensive research studies for external stakeholder groups.

When preparing to write, keep in mind that:

• An executive summary is not an abstract.
• An executive summary is not an introduction.
• An executive summary is not a preface.
• An executive summary is not a random collection of highlights.

Christensen, Jay. Executive Summaries Complete The Report. California State University Northridge; Clayton, John. "Writing an Executive Summary that Means Business." Harvard Management Communication Letter (July 2003): 2-4; Keller, Chuck. "Stay Healthy with a Winning Executive Summary." Technical Communication 41 (1994): 511-517; Murphy, Herta A., Herbert W. Hildebrandt, and Jane P. Thomas. Effective Business Communications . New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997; Vassallo, Philip. "Executive Summaries: Where Less Really is More." ETC.: A Review of General Semantics 60 (Spring 2003): 83-90 .

Structure and Writing Style

Writing an Executive Summary

Read the Entire Document This may go without saying, but it is critically important that you read the entire research study thoroughly from start to finish before you begin to write the executive summary. Take notes as you go along, highlighting important statements of fact, key findings, and recommended courses of action. This will better prepare you for how to organize and summarize the study. Remember this is not a brief abstract of 300 words or less but, essentially, a mini-paper of your paper, with a focus on recommendations.

Isolate the Major Points Within the Original Document Choose which parts of the document are the most important to those who will read it. These points must be included within the executive summary in order to provide a thorough and complete explanation of what the document is trying to convey.

Separate the Main Sections Closely examine each section of the original document and discern the main differences in each. After you have a firm understanding about what each section offers in respect to the other sections, write a few sentences for each section describing the main ideas. Although the format may vary, the main sections of an executive summary likely will include the following:

• An opening statement, with brief background information,
• The purpose of research study,
• Method of data gathering and analysis,
• Overview of findings, and,
• A description of each recommendation, accompanied by a justification. Note that the recommendations are sometimes quoted verbatim from the research study.

Combine the Information Use the information gathered to combine them into an executive summary that is no longer than 10% of the original document. Be concise! The purpose is to provide a brief explanation of the entire document with a focus on the recommendations that have emerged from your research. How you word this will likely differ depending on your audience and what they care about most. If necessary, selectively incorporate bullet points for emphasis and brevity. Re-read your Executive Summary After you've completed your executive summary, let it sit for a while before coming back to re-read it. Check to make sure that the summary will make sense as a separate document from the full research study. By taking some time before re-reading it, you allow yourself to see the summary with fresh, unbiased eyes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Length of the Executive Summary As a general rule, the correct length of an executive summary is that it meets the criteria of no more pages than 10% of the number of pages in the original document, with an upper limit of no more than ten pages [i.e., ten pages for a 100 page document]. This requirement keeps the document short enough to be read by your audience, but long enough to allow it to be a complete, stand-alone synopsis. Cutting and Pasting With the exception of specific recommendations made in the study, do not simply cut and paste whole sections of the original document into the executive summary. You should paraphrase information from the longer document. Avoid taking up space with excessive subtitles and lists, unless they are absolutely necessary for the reader to have a complete understanding of the original document. Consider the Audience Although unlikely to be required by your professor, there is the possibility that more than one executive summary will have to be written for a given document [e.g., one for policy-makers, one for private industry, one for philanthropists]. This may only necessitate the rewriting of the introduction and conclusion, but it could require rewriting the entire summary in order to fit the needs of the reader. If necessary, be sure to consider the types of audiences who may benefit from your study and make adjustments accordingly. Clarity in Writing One of the biggest mistakes you can make is related to the clarity of your executive summary. Always note that your audience [or audiences] are likely seeing your research study for the first time. The best way to avoid a disorganized or cluttered executive summary is to write it after the study is completed. Always follow the same strategies for proofreading that you would for any research paper. Use Strong and Positive Language Don’t weaken your executive summary with passive, imprecise language. The executive summary is a stand-alone document intended to convince the reader to make a decision concerning whether to implement the recommendations you make. Once convinced, it is assumed that the full document will provide the details needed to implement the recommendations. Although you should resist the temptation to pad your summary with pleas or biased statements, do pay particular attention to ensuring that a sense of urgency is created in the implications, recommendations, and conclusions presented in the executive summary. Be sure to target readers who are likely to implement the recommendations.

Bailey, Edward, P. The Plain English Approach to Business Writing . (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), p. 73-80; Christensen, Jay. Executive Summaries Complete The Report. California State University Northridge; Executive Summaries. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Clayton, John. "Writing an Executive Summary That Means Business." Harvard Management Communication Letter , 2003; Executive Summary. University Writing Center. Texas A&M University;  Green, Duncan. Writing an Executive Summary.   Oxfam’s Research Guidelines series ; Guidelines for Writing an Executive Summary. Astia.org; Markowitz, Eric. How to Write an Executive Summary. Inc. Magazine, September, 15, 2010; Kawaski, Guy. The Art of the Executive Summary. "How to Change the World" blog; Keller, Chuck. "Stay Healthy with a Winning Executive Summary." Technical Communication 41 (1994): 511-517; The Report Abstract and Executive Summary. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing Executive Summaries. Effective Writing Center. University of Maryland; Kolin, Philip. Successful Writing at Work . 10th edition. (Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2013), p. 435-437; Moral, Mary. "Writing Recommendations and Executive Summaries." Keeping Good Companies 64 (June 2012): 274-278; Todorovic, Zelimir William and Marietta Wolczacka Frye. “Writing Effective Executive Summaries: An Interdisciplinary Examination.” In United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Conference Proceedings . (Decatur, IL: United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 2009): pp. 662-691.

• << Previous: 3. The Abstract
• Next: 4. The Introduction >>
• Last Updated: May 9, 2024 11:05 AM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide

Researched by Consultants from Top-Tier Management Companies

Powerpoint Templates

Icon Bundle

Kpi Dashboard

Professional

Business Plans

Swot Analysis

Gantt Chart

Business Proposal

Marketing Plan

Project Management

Business Case

Business Model

Cyber Security

Business PPT

Digital Marketing

Digital Transformation

Human Resources

Product Management

Artificial Intelligence

Company Profile

Acknowledgement PPT

PPT Presentation

Reports Brochures

One Page Pitch

Interview PPT

All Categories

Top 7 Research Summary Templates with Samples and Examples

Kavesh Malhotra

Turning complex research into a compelling summary is like having a superpower in the vast world of information. A well-crafted research summary isn't just a data crunch; it's a strategic tool. Research shows that concise summaries enhance understanding. Studies reveal that audiences retained 50% more information when presented with well-structured summaries.

Imagine condensing your extensive research into a single page that instantly captivates the reader's attention and highlights the core of your findings. Whether presenting a market research proposal, diving into clinical medicine research, or outlining a project research proposal, a smartly crafted research statement can make your work convenient, accessible, and impactful.

In this blog, we'll guide you through a curated selection of seven Research Summary Templates, each a gem in its own right.

Why Choose Research Summary Templates?

"Efficiency is the soul of every impactful presentation."

• Time-Saving Marvels:  These presets are your express pass to creating professional, impactful presentations that save you so much time and energy that would otherwise be spent making a summary from scratch!
• Customizable Frameworks:  Tailor each layout to suit your unique research, maintaining flexibility while leveraging a solid starting point.
• Visual Appeal:  The slides are not just functional; they are visually engaging, ensuring that your  research paper  doesn't just get read but leaves a lasting impression.

Let’s begin exploring these templates!

Template 1: Market Research Proposal One-Page Summary Presentation Report Infographic PPT PDF Document

This preset is a game-changer for presenting  market research proposals  concisely. It encapsulates your research's key aspects in a one-page summary, making a compelling case for readers. It includes details about the project name, researcher's information,  and project research proposal  details like background, objectives, methodology, and outcomes. Visual elements and a well-organized structure enhance readability, effectively communicating your market insights. Download this preset that transforms your  market research proposal  into a concise yet comprehensive summary, guiding your stakeholders through the essentials.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Template 2: Executive Summary Clinical Medicine Research Company Profile

For clinical medicine researchers, this layout provides a succinct yet comprehensive overview. The  executive summary  format communicates vital information, making it ideal for quickly understanding the research's significance. The slide depicts the company outline, critical statistics, and financial overview. The significant facts covered are the employee count, number of regulatory approvals, global market share, revenue CAGR, total revenue, and market capitalization. Elevate your  clinical medicine research  with an executive summary that encapsulates the essence of your findings and the potential impact on the medical landscape.

Template 3: Sample Research Paper Outline in One-Page Summary Report

This structure streamlines your detailed  research paper  into a digestible one-page summary. It breaks down the research paper's structure, ensuring the audience grasps vital points efficiently. It encapsulates five main sections: introduction, issue, literature review, recommendations, and conclusion. The easy-to-follow format makes it a valuable tool for presenting a complex  research statement.  Download this layout that transforms your detailed  research paper  into a  one-page summary  wonder, clearly presenting the structure and key points.

Template 4: One-Page Summary for Business Excellence Models Research Paper

Condense your exploration of business excellence models into a single, impactful page. This slide highlights the introduction,  executive summary , company background, financial information, business excellence model used, key findings and insights, and conclusion, presenting them aesthetically pleasing. It's perfect for delivering the essence of your business excellence research with clarity and brevity. Condense your exploration of business excellence models into a single page, making your insights accessible and actionable.

Template 5: One-Page Project Research Proposal Summary Presentation

Efficiently communicate the crux of your  project research proposal  with this preset. It highlights crucial components of your project research like objectives, study design, budget, project milestones and durations, etc. The  one-page summary  format ensures that your proposal's key elements are prominently featured. Visual elements enhance engagement, ensuring that key stakeholders swiftly grasp your project's significance. Download this layout and make it an excellent choice for a compelling project research presentation.

Template 6: One-Page Research Paper Summary on Business Ethics and Corruption

Navigate the complex landscape of business ethics and corruption research with this template. It condenses your  research paper  into a  one-page summary , focusing on crucial ethical considerations:

• Introduction of the concept
• sources of corruption in businesses
• The legislative framework
• Principals of ethics
• Conclusion and
• Customer viewpoint

Clear visuals and a cohesive layout ensure that your insights on ethics and corruption are communicated effectively, giving your  research statement  the attention it deserves. Download this  one-page summary , ensuring readers grasp your project's significance swiftly.

Template 7: Research Statement One Page Summary with Future Goals

Craft a compelling narrative of your research journey, culminating in a  one-page summary  with future goals. This presentation seamlessly integrates your  research statement  with a forward-looking perspective. It offers an overview of past and future research approaches and future goals to be achieved, along with a visual flowchart presenting your  project research proposal , research activity, and other written content. Download this powerful tool for presenting your research's impact and future directions.

Conclusion: Your Research, Your Way

In the world of academia, business, or healthcare, your research is a cornerstone of progress. Ensure it's not just buried in volumes of data but presented in a way that captivates and communicates. Explore the above research summary templates and transform your research journey into a resonant narrative. Furthermore, dive into the past with our  top history research proposal examples , complete with templates and samples for your historical research endeavors.

Remember, brevity is not just appreciated in a world saturated with information; it's often indispensable. So,  here , you can streamline your  project research proposals  with our top 7 one-page templates for compelling and concise presentations.

Craft your research summary with care, and let your findings shine!

Related posts:

• Top 10 PowerPoint Templates to Present Succinct Research Statements
• How Financial Management Templates Can Make a Money Master Out of You
• [Updated 2023] Top 20 PowerPoint Templates to Devise a Systematic Research Methodology
• Top 10 Data Visualizations Playbook Templates with Samples and Examples

Liked this blog? Please recommend us

Top 10 Concrete Proposal Templates with Examples and Samples

Top 7 Risk Management Chart Templates with Examples and Samples

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Digital revolution powerpoint presentation slides

Sales funnel results presentation layouts

3d men joinning circular jigsaw puzzles ppt graphics icons

Business Strategic Planning Template For Organizations Powerpoint Presentation Slides

Future plan powerpoint template slide

Project Management Team Powerpoint Presentation Slides

Brand marketing powerpoint presentation slides

Launching a new service powerpoint presentation with slides go to market

Agenda powerpoint slide show

Four key metrics donut chart with percentage

Engineering and technology ppt inspiration example introduction continuous process improvement

Meet our team representing in circular format

• Request new password
• Create a new account

The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project

Student resources.

Examples of Student Research Projects

Executive Summary Examples for Business Plans, Project Plans, and Research Projects

By Kate Eby | February 8, 2024

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn

Link copied

Executive summaries allow decision-makers to quickly grasp the key points of important documents and make decisions. We’ve collected a variety of executive summary examples and templates that you can use as models for your executive summaries. 

Included in this article, you’ll find a  business plan executive summary example , a  project proposal executive summary example , a  research report executive summary example , and more. Plus, learn  how to fix common executive summary mistakes .

What Are the Main Components of an Executive Summary?

An  executive summary is a concise overview of a larger document, report, or proposal. It gives high-level executives or decision-makers a quick understanding of the main points of a longer document without requiring them to read the whole text.   

These are the components you might include in an executive summary:   

• Problem Statement: Clearly state the problem or challenge the company, product, or project addresses.
• Key Proposition: Outline the proposed solution or key value proposition.
• Market Analysis: Summarize findings about the market, customer needs, or competition.
• Key Features and Benefits: Highlight the main features or benefits of the proposed solution or strategy.
• Financial Summary: Provide a snapshot of financial aspects, such as cost, revenue projections, or return on investment (ROI).
• Next Steps: Briefly describe the next steps or strategy for implementation.

Simple Executive Summary Example

The following simple executive summary presents a concise statement of key findings and links them directly to a strategic recommendation. It provides a clear snapshot of the situation and the proposed action, which is essential for an executive summary.

Problem Statement

Many small businesses struggle with inefficient inventory management, leading to lost sales and increased operational costs.

Key Proposition

Our company proposes an AI-driven inventory management system that automates tracking and forecasting, tailored for small businesses.

Market Analysis

Research shows a 40 percent increase in demand for automated inventory solutions in the small business sector, with a significant gap in affordable, user-friendly options.

Key Features and Benefits

The system offers real-time inventory tracking, predictive restocking alerts, and an intuitive interface, reducing inventory errors by an estimated 50 percent.

Financial Summary

Our projected development cost is five hundred thousand dollars with a break-even point in 18 months. The expected ROI is 200 percent in three years, tapping into a market with a potential revenue of five million dollars annually.

Development will commence in Q1 2024, with a pilot launch in Q3. Full market release is scheduled for Q1 2025, followed by targeted marketing campaigns and customer feedback integration for further enhancements.

Executive Summary Template

Download a Blank Executive Summary Template for

Microsoft Word | Google Docs

Download an Example Executive Summary Template for

Available in blank and example versions, this executive summary template guides you in succinctly presenting key information about your business plan or project to stakeholders. Simply fill in each section with relevant details to create a concise overview that highlights problems, solutions, market potential, product features, financials, and next steps.

Business Plan Executive Summary Example

Review the following example for a business plan executive summary of an eco-friendly transportation company. This example provides a clear, brief overview that is essential when you want to engage stakeholders and set the stage for more detailed discussions.

In urban areas, the lack of convenient, eco-friendly transportation options leads to increased traffic congestion and pollution.

GreenGo Mobility Solutions proposes a network of e-bike sharing stations, offering an affordable, sustainable, and flexible transportation alternative.

There is a growing trend toward eco-friendly transport in cities, with a 60 percent increase in e-bike usage. Surveys show high interest among urban commuters for more accessible e-bike options.

Key Features and Benefits 

Our e-bikes are equipped with GPS tracking and easy-to-use interfaces. The bikes are designed for urban environments, offering a convenient and environmentally friendly commuting option.

The project requires an initial investment of two million dollars, with projected annual revenue of five million dollars by the third year. We anticipate a break-even point within two years, based on subscription and pay-per-use models.

Marketing Plan Executive Summary Example

In the following example, an executive summary outlines a marketing initiative within a company, detailing both the challenge and the strategic response. It provides a clear overview of the marketing plan’s objectives, actions, and expected outcomes.

We have seen a decline in new user adoption of our company's flagship software product over the past year.

Initiate a Revitalize and Engage campaign, focusing on updating the product’s user interface and enhancing customer engagement through social media and community building.

Competitor analysis and customer feedback indicate a need for more intuitive design and stronger community presence to attract and retain users.

The campaign will introduce a sleek, user-friendly interface and a robust online community platform, aiming to increase user engagement and satisfaction.

The campaign requires a budget of five hundred thousand dollars, with an expected increase in user adoption rates by 20 percent within the first year post-implementation.

Begin a UI redesign in Q2 2024, launch a social media engagement strategy in Q3, and roll out the updated product with community features in Q4.

Project Proposal Executive Summary Example

The example executive summary below demonstrates a well-structured project proposal that succinctly identifies a specific challenge and proposes an actionable solution. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of the project, including its rationale, expected benefits, financial implications, and implementation timeline.

Our current customer relationship management (CRM) system is outdated, leading to inefficiencies in sales tracking and client management.

We propose the development and implementation of a new, custom-built CRM system to streamline sales processes and enhance customer engagement.

Internal analysis indicates a 35 percent increase in process efficiency with a modern CRM system, while competitor benchmarking shows significant advantages in customer retention.

The new CRM will offer real-time sales tracking, automated client communication tools, and advanced analytics features, improving sales efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The estimated project cost is two million dollars, with a projected increase in sales efficiency by 50 percent and customer retention by 20 percent within two years.

Initiate the project in Q2 2024, with phase-wise implementation and employee training, aiming for full deployment by the end of Q4 2024.

Startup Executive Summary Example

Startups need to communicate their vision to potential investors and key stakeholders. In this example, an executive summary helps convey the startup’s vision with a concise summary of the business opportunity, unique selling proposition, market potential, and action plan.

There is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly home cleaning products, but the market lacks options that are both effective and affordable.

EcoClean Innovations is a startup offering a line of environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products made from natural ingredients, catering to eco-conscious consumers.

Market trends show a 50 percent increase in consumer preference for green homecare products, with a significant gap in cost-effective options.

Our products are non-toxic and competitively priced, and they have a minimal environmental footprint, addressing the need for effective and sustainable cleaning solutions.

We require an initial investment of one million dollars, projecting a 30 percent market penetration in the eco-friendly segment within the first two years.

Launch with an initial range of products by Q3 2024, followed by marketing campaigns targeting eco-conscious communities and online marketplaces.

Real Estate Development Executive Summary Example

In the following executive summary example for a construction project, the author outlines their vision for the Greenway Residential Complex. This summary captures the essence of the construction project proposal, presenting key information in a concise and structured format.

The growing urban population in Metro City has led to a shortage of affordable, eco-friendly housing options, resulting in increased living costs and environmental concerns. Key Proposition

Our project proposes the development of the Greenway Residential Complex, a sustainable and affordable housing solution. Utilizing innovative construction methods and eco-friendly materials, the complex aims to provide a balanced urban living experience that is both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Research indicates a high demand for eco-conscious housing in Metro City, with a market gap in affordable segments. Surveys show that young families and professionals are actively seeking sustainable living options that align with their environmental values and budget constraints.

• Sustainable design incorporating solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces
• Affordable pricing, targeting middle-income families and young professionals
• Proximity to public transportation and city centers, reducing commute times and the carbon footprint
• High-quality, energy-efficient building materials, ensuring lower utility costs and a smaller environmental impact
• Estimated project cost: Fifty million dollars
• Anticipated revenue from sales: Seventy million dollars, with a projected ROI of 40 percent over five years
• Funding secured from green building grants and private investors
• Finalize construction permits and approvals by Q2 2024.
• Begin construction in Q3 2024, with a projected completion date in Q4 2026.
• Launch a marketing campaign targeting eco-conscious families and professionals. Tip:  In this example, notice how helpful it is to use bullet points to convey certain information. Using bulleted lists is a great way to organize and present information in an executive summary.

Construction Project Executive Summary Example

Construction projects have many moving parts, which means executive summaries need to capture a lot of information in a small space. Consider a construction-specific executive summary template to ensure that stakeholders are keyed into the most vital project information.

Download a Blank Construction Project Executive Summary Template for

Microsoft Word |  Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Download an Example Construction Project Executive Summary Template for

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

This construction project executive summary template allows users to give a high-level overview of the key aspects of a project, such as status, risks, issues, and changes. Available in both blank and sample versions, this editable template condenses complex project information into an easily digestible format. To use it, simply fill in each section with relevant, concise information about the current state and progress of your construction project, ensuring it remains updated and reflective of any changes or developments.

Renewable Energy Initiative Executive Summary Example

A renewable energy initiative executive summary should highlight the project’s objectives, strategies, and potential impact, as well as its contribution to environmental sustainability. In the following example, the summary articulates the project’s vision and its alignment with global environmental goals.

The urgent need to address environmental challenges and the increasing global demand for energy underscore the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. The reliance on traditional fossil fuels is unsustainable and contributes significantly to climate change.

The SunWind Project is a pioneering initiative combining solar and wind power to create a robust and sustainable energy solution. This project aims to leverage the strengths of both solar and wind energy, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The renewable energy sector is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by global environmental policies and a rising consumer preference for sustainable energy. This shift presents an opportunity for the SunWind Project.

The project is unique in its integration of solar panels and wind turbines, ensuring consistent energy production under varying weather conditions. This scalable approach is designed to adapt to increasing energy demands. By significantly reducing the carbon footprint, the project supports global environmental sustainability goals and has the potential to power thousands of homes and businesses.

The SunWind Project has an estimated cost of two hundred million dollars, with projected revenues from energy sales anticipated to be around three hundred million dollars over the next 10 years. This represents a potential ROI of 50 percent. The project is poised to benefit from green energy grants, government subsidies, and private investments.

Immediate steps include securing the necessary environmental permits and clearances. The construction phase, slated to begin in the second quarter of 2024, will focus on installing solar panels and wind turbines, with a goal to commence energy production by the end of 2025.

One-Paragraph Healthcare Executive Summary Example

An executive summary of a healthcare initiative needs to do the following: concisely identify a pressing healthcare issue, present a tailored solution with its benefits, summarize market needs and competition, and outline the financial viability and next steps. 

In the following example, notice how an executive summary can capture all key elements in a single paragraph:

The HealthFirst Community Wellness Initiative addresses the critical problem of rising chronic illness rates in urban areas, focusing on diabetes and heart disease. Our comprehensive solution involves launching community health centers that provide preventive care, lifestyle education, and regular health screenings, as well as cater to the specific needs of urban populations. Market analysis indicates a significant demand for accessible healthcare services in these areas, with a lack of preventive and educational resources being a key gap. The initiative’s main features include state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, personalized health plans, and collaboration with local fitness and nutrition experts, offering benefits such as improved community health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Financially, the project is expected to be sustainable, with a mix of funding from public health grants and private partnerships. We are projecting a positive ROI within three years due to reduced hospital admissions. The next steps involve securing funding, establishing partnerships with local health professionals and organizations, and launching a pilot center in the downtown district, with a plan to expand to five more urban areas within two years.

Nonprofit Executive Summary Example

An executive summary for a nonprofit organization should communicate the essence of a project or initiative to donors and volunteers. It should concisely outline the organization’s mission, goals, and key solutions while also detailing strategies, actions, and their impact.

  This  executive summary example from Doctors Without Borders emphasizes the inadequacy of current Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agendas in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. It then proposes six key recommendations to address these shortcomings. 

This executive summary succinctly identifies the core issue — inequitable access to healthcare — and clearly outlines actionable recommendations. This document helps facilitate advocacy and policy change, which are central to this organization’s goals.

Research Report Executive Summary Example

An executive summary in a research report concisely presents the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations derived from a research project. It covers elements such as the project topic, background, research methods, and critical insights, tailored for quick understanding and decision-making.

In this real-world  exampl e from the ASPCA , the executive summary details a study showing that veterinary hospitals’ proactive discussions about pet health insurance positively impacted hospital revenue and increased patient visits. 

Notice how this summary concisely outlines the study’s purpose, methodology, and significant findings, providing a clear overview for readers. In addition, it highlights the study’s relevance and implications for veterinary practices, emphasizing the practical benefits of educating clients about pet health insurance.

Research Report Executive Summary Template

Download a Blank Research Report Executive Summary Template for

Microsoft Word |  Adobe PDF | Google Docs Download an Example Research Report Executive Summary Template for

To create your own research report executive summary, download this customizable template. Available in blank and example versions and three printable formats, this template serves as a structured guide to organize and present the key components of a research report. Simply fill in each section with specific details about your research, including the project topic, background information, methods used, conclusions, and recommendations.

Research Project Proposal Executive Summary Example

An executive summary for a research project focuses mainly on the research question, methods, and expected outcomes. These summaries often point out how important the research could be and what impact it might have on the field.  

Download a Blank Research Project Proposal Executive Summary Template for Microsoft Word | Google Docs  

Download an Example Research Project Proposal Executive Template for Microsoft Word | Google Docs

Teams can use this one-page executive summary — available in a blank or sample version — to concisely present the key elements of a research project to stakeholders, potential funders, or academic committees. By structuring the summary with specific sections such as background, objectives, and methodology, you can be sure that you’ve clearly and briefly outlined all critical aspects of your research.

Executive Summary Slide Example

Executive summaries are often documents that one distributes to executives, potential investors, and other stakeholders. However, slideshow presentations can facilitate a more interactive discussion. Plus, the inclusion of charts, graphs, and other images can better illustrate key points.  

Download an Example Single Slide Executive Summary Template for

PowerPoint | Google Slides

Download a Blank Single Slide Executive Summary Template for

This executive summary slide template is a versatile tool for succinctly conveying key project information in a single, visually engaging slide. You can enter your project information in the blank template or download the sample version for additional guidance. Input relevant details in each section, such as an overview of your project and next steps. The template allows users to insert their own text, graphics, and data. Copy your completed slide into a longer presentation, or use it on its own as a visual complement to any stakeholder presentation.

How to Improve Your Executive Summary

A poorly constructed executive summary can serve as an instructive example of what to avoid. Ineffective executive summaries might be too detailed or technical, lack focus on key points, or omit a clear call to action. 

Here are examples of the three most common mistakes found in executive summaries:

Includes Too Many Details or Technical Information

This example demonstrates one of the most common mistakes, which is including too much detail or overly technical language. It dives deeply into the specific technical specifications of the equipment and financial metrics, which might be overwhelming for readers. A more effective executive summary would focus on the broader objectives, expected impacts, and benefits of the project in a language that is accessible to a non-technical audience.

Lacks Focus on Key Points  

Sometimes, summaries fail to clearly highlight the most critical aspects of the project or proposal. This summary lacks focus concerning the key points of the Pathways to Knowledge project. A more effective summary would concisely state the project’s goal, significance, and anticipated outcomes.

Omits a Clear Call to Action or Conclusion  

Failing to include a clear conclusion or call to action is another common mistake. The summary should not only inform but also persuade and guide the reader toward the desired action or decision. This summary outlines the project’s goals and structure, but omits a clear call to action. The document doesn’t specify what is expected from the reader or potential stakeholders, such as support, partnership, funding, or involvement in the project.

Corrected Example

To create a more effective example, start by removing overly technical details. (Stakeholders don’t need to know the specific standards with which the training modules are aligned or which types of processors power your computers.) Next, take out unnecessary details that stray from the main point of the project. An executive summary is not the place to discuss the origins of the project idea or the elements your team has not yet decided on. Finally, always conclude your executive summary with a clear call to action.

The Pathways to Knowledge project is a pioneering educational initiative by a nonprofit organization, aimed at bridging the educational divide in underprivileged and remote communities. This project involves the deployment of Mobile Education Hubs: state-of-the-art, solar-powered mobile units that are equipped with educational resources, technology, and internet access. These hubs are designed to travel to various underserved areas, providing children and adults with access to quality educational materials, online learning platforms, and virtual tutoring. Each hub also hosts workshops and seminars led by educators and experts, covering a wide range of subjects from basic literacy and numeracy to vocational training and digital literacy. The initiative seeks to empower communities by enhancing educational opportunities, fostering a culture of lifelong learning, and equipping individuals with the skills necessary for the 21st-century job market. By focusing on accessibility and adaptability, the Pathways to Knowledge project aspires to create a ripple effect of educational advancement and social upliftment across diverse communities.

Master the Art of Writing Executive Summaries with Examples for Business Plans, Project Plans, and Research Projects from Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

How to Write a Research Memo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Feeling behind on ai.

You're not alone. The Neuron is a daily AI newsletter that tracks the latest AI trends and tools you need to know. Join 400,000+ professionals from top companies like Microsoft, Apple, Salesforce and more. 100% FREE.

If you've been tasked with writing a research memo, you may be wondering where to begin. Whether you're writing for school, work, or another purpose, a research memo can be a powerful tool for communicating ideas and findings. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of writing a research memo step-by-step, from understanding its purpose to structuring your memo and editing it for clarity and effectiveness.

Understanding the Purpose of a Research Memo

Before you begin writing your research memo, it's important to understand what it is and why it's important. A research memo is a written document that presents the results of a research project or investigation. It is often used in academic or professional settings to communicate ideas, proposals, or findings to a specific audience.

What is a Research Memo?

A research memo is a type of memo that summarizes research findings and presents them in a clear and concise manner. The purpose of a research memo is to provide the reader with a brief overview of the research project and its findings. It typically includes a brief introduction, background information on the topic or problem being studied, an analysis of the research findings, and a conclusion or recommendation based on those findings.

Research memos are often used in academic or professional settings to communicate the results of research projects to a specific audience. They can be used to inform decisions, propose new ideas or solutions, and showcase the results of research projects. Research memos are also often required as part of coursework, grant proposals, or other projects.

When writing a research memo, it is important to keep in mind that the document should be concise and easy to read. The memo should be written in a professional tone and should be free of errors. It is also important to ensure that the memo is well-organized and that the information presented is relevant to the topic being studied.

Why are Research Memos Important?

Research memos are important because they provide a means of communicating complex ideas and findings to a specific audience. They can be used to inform decisions, propose new ideas or solutions, and showcase the results of research projects. In academic or professional settings, research memos are often required as part of coursework, grant proposals, or other projects.

Research memos can also be used to share information with colleagues or other professionals in a specific field. For example, a researcher may write a memo summarizing the findings of a study on a particular topic and share it with other researchers in the same field. This can help to promote collaboration and advance knowledge in the field.

Overall, research memos are an important tool for communicating the results of research projects to a specific audience. They provide a concise and easy-to-read summary of the research findings and can be used to inform decisions, propose new ideas or solutions, and showcase the results of research projects.

Preparing to Write Your Research Memo

Before you begin writing your research memo, there are several steps you should take to ensure that you have a solid foundation for your memo.

Identify Your Audience

The first step in preparing to write your research memo is to identify your audience. Who will be reading your memo, and what information do they need to know? Consider the knowledge level and interests of your audience to help you tailor your message effectively.

Gather Relevant Information

Once you know who your audience is, you can begin gathering relevant information for your memo. This may involve conducting research on the topic at hand, reviewing existing literature or data, or interviewing experts in the field.

Organize Your Research Findings

With your research in hand, it's time to organize your findings. This may involve creating an outline or mind map to help you identify key themes or ideas, or simply organizing your notes in a logical and coherent manner.

Structuring Your Research Memo

Now that you've prepared for your research memo, it's time to begin structuring your memo itself. A research memo typically includes several key sections, each with a specific purpose.

The header of your research memo should include basic information such as the date, the memo's recipient(s), and the subject of the memo. It may also include a brief summary or overview of the memo's contents.

The Introduction

The introduction of your research memo should provide background information on the topic or problem being studied. It should also state the purpose of the memo and outline the research question(s) or objectives you are addressing.

The Background

The background section of your research memo should provide more detailed information on the topic or problem being studied. This may include a review of existing literature or data, an overview of relevant theories or concepts, or a summary of previous research on the topic.

The Analysis

The analysis section of your research memo should present your research findings and analyze them in a clear and concise manner. This may involve presenting data in tables or graphs, summarizing key trends or patterns, or discussing the significance of your findings.

The Conclusion

The conclusion of your research memo should summarize your findings and provide recommendations or next steps based on those findings. This may involve proposing solutions to the problem or issue being studied, highlighting the implications of your findings, or suggesting further areas of research.

Writing Tips for an Effective Research Memo

Once you've structured your research memo, it's important to ensure that it is well-written and effective in communicating your message. Here are a few writing tips to keep in mind:

Use Clear and Concise Language

A research memo should be written in clear, concise language that can be easily understood by your audience. Avoid jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with, and break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language.

Maintain a Professional Tone

Research memos should maintain a professional tone that is appropriate for the audience and purpose of the memo. Avoid colloquialisms or slang, and maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout your writing.

Cite Your Sources Properly

If you are referencing outside sources in your research memo, be sure to cite them properly using the appropriate citation style. This can help to strengthen your argument and demonstrate the rigor of your research.

Edit and Proofread Your Memo

Finally, be sure to edit and proofread your research memo carefully before submitting it. Check for grammar and spelling errors, ensure that your message is clear and concise, and that your memo is well-structured and easy to follow.

By following these steps and taking careful consideration when structuring and writing your research memo, you can create an effective and informative memo that effectively communicates your research findings to your audience.

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Research Memo

Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.

You Might Also Like...

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 great research paper topics.

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Environmental Horticulture Research Summaries

The Environmental Horticulture Program compiles and summarizes efficacy and crop safety data into Research Summaries by project. For crop safety, a project is defined as all the crops screened for phytotoxicity with a specific active ingredient. For efficacy, a project is defined as all the experiments related to screening activity against a type of pathogen, pest, or weed. To view past versions of the summaries below, please visit Research Summary Archives .

Crop Safety

• Weed Science

S-Metolachlor Crop Safety – 2024

From 2004 to 2023, IR-4 completed 258 trials on Pennant Magnum (s-metolachlor). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of s-metolachlor on and around environmental horticulture plants with over-the-top applications.

Flumioxazin Crop Safety – 2024

Flumioxazin has been registered in the United States since 2003 for uses in and around environmental horticulture plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. Between 2000 and 2023, the IR-4 Project has conducted 641 trials using three granular

Afidopyropen Crop Safety – 2024

Ventigra  (afidopyropen) is an insecticide registered by BASF for the control of piercing and sucking insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, scales and leafhoppers.

Mefentrifluconazole Crop Safety – 2024

Avelyo (mefentrifluconazole) is a fungicide developed by BASF that has been registered for use since May 2020. It is used for the control of diseases such as anthracnose, powdery mildew,

Fluopicolide Crop Safety – 2024

Fluopicolide was registered as Adorn 4SC in the United States in 2008 for control of Pythium, Phytophthora and downy mildew in environmental horticulture plants. State registrations in California and New York occurred in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Triticonazole Crop Safety – 2023

Triticonazole was registered as Trinity 2SC in the United States in 2007 as a turf fungicide. Trinity SC was expanded to diseases of environmental horticulture diseases in 2013. Because triticonazole is in the triazole class,

Oxathiapiprolin Crop Safety – 2023

Oxathiapiprolin was registered as Segovis in the United States in 2017 for disease control on ornamental horticulture plants in greenhouse and nurseries. The commercial label contains a general list

Pendimethalin + Dimethenamid-p Crop Safety – 2023

From 2007 to 2023, IR-4 completed 726 trials on Freehand 1.75G (BAS 659 G; dimethenamid-p + pendimethalin). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of dimethenamid-p + pendimethalin on and around environmental

SP1770 Crop Safety – 2023

SP1770 is a new herbicide being developed by SePro. The IR-4 Project completed 41 crop safety trials on 29 environmental horticulture plant species orgenera during 2016 to 2019.

Prodiamine + Isoxaben Crop Safety – 2023

Prodiamine + Isoxaben (Gemini G) is a herbicide combination developed by ICL Specialty Fertilizers for pre-emergent control of grasses and broadleaf weeds on environmental horticulture crops.

Dimethenamid-p Crop Safety – 2023

From 2007 to 2021, IR-4 completed 594 trials on Tower EC (dimethenamid-p). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of dimethenamid-p on and around environmental horticulture plants

Pydiflumetofen + Difenconazole Crop Safety – 2023

Postiva (pydiflumetofen + difenoconazole) is a new fungicide registered by Syngenta for the control of foliar diseases of environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 43 crop safety trials

Picarbutrazox Crop Safety – 2023

Picarbutrazox is a novel fungicide with a new mode of action being developed by Nisso America for the control of oomycete diseases such as Bremia, Peronospora, Pseudoperonospora, Phytophthora,

Flutianil Crop Safety – 2023

Flutianil is a new fungicide being developed by Nichino for the control of powdery mildew on environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 36 crop safety trials on 15 environmental

Abamectin Crop Safety Summary – 2023

Abamectin has been registered since 1987 for environmental horticulture crops, initially for leafminers and spider mites on annuals and herbaceous perennials. Then in 2000, woody ornamentals plus aphids,

S-Metolachlor Crop Safety – 2023

From 2004 to 2022, IR-4 completed 231 trials on Pennant Magnum (s-metolachlor). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of s-metolachlor on and around environmental horticulture plants

SP2478 Crop Safety – 2023

SP2478 is a new fungicide being developed by SePro for the control of diseases on environmental horticulture crops such as powdery mildew and other diseases. The IR-4 Project completed

Isoxaben + Dithiopyr Crop Safety – 2023

Fortress (isoxaben + dithiopyr) was registered in 2018 for environmental horticulture crop uses. Between 2018 and 2020, IR-4 examined 17 crop species / genera to expand this label to

Mefentrifluconazole Crop Safety – 2023

XDE-659 Crop Safety – 2022

XDE-659 is a new fungicide being developed by Corteva for the control of Botrytis gray mold, powdery mildew and other foliar pathogens of environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 20

Flumioxazin + Prodiamine Crop Safety – 2022

Fuerte (flumioxazin + prodiamine) has been registered in the United States since 2018. Starting in 2020, the IR-4 Project has been screening additional crops for their tolerance to over the top applications.

Prodiamine + Isoxaben Crop Safety – 2022

Prodiamine + Isoxaben (Gemini G) is a herbicide combination developed by Everris dba ICL Specialty Fertilizers for pre-emergent control of grasses and broadleaf weeds on environmental horticulture crops.

Neem + Azadirachtin Crop Safety – 2022

ANEEM (neem oil + azadirachtin) is an extract from the neem plant which has insecticidal, miticidal and some nematicidal and fungicidal properties. The IR-4 Project completed 23 crop safety trials on seven

TDA01 Crop Safety – 2022

TDA-01 is a new active ingredient for foliar plant pathogens such as bacteria. The IR-4 Project has screened 3 different formulations, completing 28 crop safety trials on 9 environmental horticulture plant species or genera from 2017 through 2021. The first two formulations caused moderate to

Fluopyram + Trifloxystrobin Crop Safety – 2022

Broadform SC (fluopyram + trifloxystrobin) is a new fungicide for foliar plant pathogens such as leaf spots, powdery mildew, and rust. The IR-4 Project completed 24 crop safety trials on 14 environmental horticulture

Dithiopyr Crop Safety – 2022

Dimension was initially registered in 1992 for environmental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of plants for landscapes where Dimension could be used without causing phytotoxicity.

Oxadiazon Crop Safety – 2022

Oxadiazon has been registered in the United States since the 1970’s for uses in and around environmental horticulture plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. Between 1972 and 2021, the IR-4 Project has conducted

S-Metolachlor Crop Safety – 2022

From 2004 to 2021, IR-4 completed 196 trials on Pennant Magnum (s-metolachlor). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of s-metolachlor on and around environmental horticulture plants

Dimethenamid-p Crop Safety – 2022

From 2007 to 2021, IR-4 completed 573 trials on Tower EC (dimethenamid-p). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of dimethenamid-p on and around environmental horticulture plants

Indaziflam Crop Safety – 2022

From 2011 through 2021, IR-4 has completed 186 trials evaluating two granular and one liquid formulations of indaziflam for crop safety. The data contained in this report was generated to register the use of indaziflam

Bentazon Crop Safety – 2022

Basagran T/O has been registered for several years as a directed application and as an over-the-top application on limited plant species. However, growers have expressed the need to have additional plants added for over-the-top applications.

Clopyralid Crop Safety – 2022

Lontrel (clopyralid) was initially registered in 1998 for environmental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of environmental horticulture plants where Lontrel could be used without causing phytotoxicity.

F6123 Crop Safety – 2022

F6123 is a fungicide being developed by FMC for the control of diseases on environmental horticulture crops such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, black spot, rusts, leaf spots and other foliar diseases.

Mefentrifluconazole Crop Safety – 2022

SP2700 Crop Safety – 2022

SP2700 is a new fungicide being developed by SePro for the control of diseases on environmental horticulture crops such as Alternaria, Cylindrocladium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Thielaviopsis.

Iron HEDTA Crop Safety – 2021

Fiesta (Iron HEDTA) is a new herbicide currently labeled for post emergence broadleaf weed control on lawns (use on rights of way or non-crop areas), turf, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries and athletic fields.

Pendimethalin Crop Safety – 2021

Pendimethalin has been registered in the United States since 1994 for uses in and around environmental horticulture plants in production nurseries and in landscapes.

V-10433 Crop Safety – 2021

V-10433 is a new insecticide being developed by Valent for the control of scales, mealybugs thrips and other insect infesting environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 24 crop safety trials

Mandestrobin Crop Safety – 2021

Mandestrobin is a new systemic and translaminar fungicide being developed by Valent for the control of Botrytis and other foliar diseases of environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 37 crop safety trials

ISM-555 Crop Safety – 2021

ISM-555 is a new insecticide being developed by Syngenta for management of scale, mealybugs, thrips, beetles and other pests on environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 22 crop safety trials

IKF-309 Crop Safety – 2021

IKF-309 is a new fungicide being developed by ISK for the control of powdery mildew on environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 18 crop safety trials on 12 environmental horticulture plant species

Flutianil Crop Safety – 2021

Flutianil is a new fungicide being developed by Nichino for the control of powdery mildew on environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 21 crop safety trials on 12 environmental

SP3014 Crop Safety – 2021

SP3014 is a new insecticide being developed by SePro for the control of scales, mealybugs and other insects on environmental horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed 22 crop safety trials

Pydiflumetofen + Difenoconazole Crop Safety – 2021

Pydiflumetofen + Difenoconazole is a new fungicide being developed for the control of foliar diseases of environmental (aka ornamental) horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed

Pydiflumetofen + Fludioxanil Crop Safety – 2021

Pydiflumetofen + Fludioxonil is a new fungicide being developed for the control of foliar and soil-borne diseases of environmental (aka ornamental) horticulture crops. The IR-4 Project completed

Isoxaben + Dithiopyr Crop Safety – 2021

Prodiamine Crop Safety Summary – 2020

Prodiamine has been registered in the United States for many years for uses in and around ornamental plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. There have been several label

Halosulfuron Crop Safety – 2020

Since 1995 IR-4 has completed 373 trials with products containing halosulfuron (Sedgehammer, Manage) on 137 crops. The data contained in this report were

Bentazon Crop Safety – 2020

Basagran T/O has been registered for a number of years as a directed application and as an over-the-top application on limited plant species. However, growers have expressed the

Cyclaniliprole + Flonicamid Crop Safety – 2020

Pradia (cyclaniliprole + flonicamid) is a new insecticide combination recently registered for environmental horticultural crops for the control of a wide variety of insects including aphids,

Isoxaben Crop Safety – 2020

Gallery 75DF (isoxaben) was initially registered in 1992 for ornamental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of ornamental horticulture crops where Gallery could be

Sulfentrazone Crop Safety – 2020

Since 1996 IR-4 has completed 259 trials with products containing sulfentrazone (Sulfentrazone 0.2G and Dismiss 4F) on 111 crops. The data contained in this report

Iron HEDTA Crop Safety – 2020

Fiesta (Iron HEDTA) is a new herbicide currently labeled for post emergence broadleaf weed control on lawns (use on rights of way or non-crop areas), turf, golf courses, parks, playgrounds,

Mono and di Potassium Salts of Phosphorus Acid + Hydrogen Peroxide Crop Safety Summary – 2020

OxiPhos (Mono and di potassium salts of phosphorus acid + hydrogen peroxide) is labeled

Pydiflumetofen Crop Safety – 2020

Pydiflumetofen is a new fungicide being developed by Syngenta for the control of leaf spots (Septoria, Cercospora, Alternaria, Venturia), powdery mildew,

Fluopyram Crop Safety – 2020

Indemnify (fluopyram) is a new fungicide being developed by Bayer for the control of nematodes; the current product is only registered for turf uses.

Fenamidone Efficacy & Crop Safety – 2020

From 2004 to 2012, fenamidone (FenStop, FenStar) was screened through the IR-4 Program as drench or foliar applications for effacay against nine Phytophthora species causing root rots and

Fluxapyroxad + Pyraclostrobin Crop Safety – 2019

The IR-4 Project screens new active ingredients for potential deleterious impacts to aid growers in selection of appropriate disease management tools for their crops. From 2014

Tolfenpyrad Crop Safety – 2019

Tolfenpyrad was first registered as Hachi-Hachi 15 EC in the United States on July 28, 2010 for the control of aphids, leafhoppers, scales, thrips, whiteflies, and early instar lepidopteran larvae on

Pyrifluquinazon Crop Safety – 2019

Pyrifluquinazon was registered for use on greenhouse ornamental horticulture crops as foliar sprays in the United States in 2013 to manage whiteflies, aphids, leafhoppers, chilli thrips, and

Pyridalyl Crop Safety Summary – 2019

Pyridalyl was registered as Overture for use on environmental horticulture plants in greenhouses with foliar applications in the United States in 2008.

Cyflufenamid Crop Safety – 2019

Cyflufenamid is an active ingredient for managing foliar diseases including powdery mildew and botrytis.

Azoxystrobin + Difenconazole Crop Safety – 2019

Alibi Flora (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole) was registered on January 12, 2015 for use on ornamental horticulture crops and landscape ornamental horticulture plants in

Azoxystrobin Crop Safety Summary – 2019

Azoxystrobin was registered as Heritage in the United States in 1997 as a turf fungicide. In April 2003, this label was updated to include applications for certain diseases on environmental horticulture crops.

Prodiamine + Isoxaben Crop Safety – 2019

Prodiamine + Isoxaben (Gemini G) is a new herbicide combination being developed by Everris dba ICL Specialty Fertilizers for pre-emergent control of grasses and broadleaf 

Picarbutrazox Crop Safety – 2019

Picarbutrazox is a novel fungicide with a new mode of action being developed by Nisso America for the control of oomycete diseases such as Bremia, Peronospora, Pseudoperonospora,

Cyflumetofen Crop Safety – 2019

Sultan (cyflumetofen) was registered for use on greenhouse ornamental horticulture crops as foliar sprays in the United States on May 9, 2014 to manage mites. The label does not contain

Oxyfluorfen + Prodiamine Crop Safety – 2019

From 2009 through 2018 IR-4 completed 246 trials evaluating Biathlon (oxyfluorfen + prodiamine) crop safety. The data contained in this report were generated to register uses

Pseudomonas chlororaphis Crop Safety – 2018

Pseudomonas chlororaphis (SP2300, Zio) is a new fungicide being developed by AgBiome and SePro for the control 

Acibenzolar Crop Safety – 2018

Acibenzolar is an active ingredient that stimulates plant defense systems. In 2002, IR-4 started testing Insimmo (acibenzolar) for safety 

Flumioxazin + Pyroxasulfone Crop Safety – 2018

IR-4 conducted fifty-one (51) trials evaluating two formulations of flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone: V-10233 76WG (37 trials) and V-10336 61.5WG (14 trials) for crop safety. 

Pydiflumetofen + Fludioxonil Crop Safety – 2018

Pydiflumetofen + Fludioxonil is a new fungicide being developed by Syngenta for the control of foliar and soil-borne diseases of ornamental horticulture crops.

Mandestrobin Crop Safety – 2018

Mandestrobin is a new systemic and translaminar fungicide being developed by Syngenta for the control of Botrytis and other foliar diseases of ornamental horticulture crops.

Pydiflumetofen + Azoxystrobin + Propiconazole Crop Safety – 2018

Pydiflumetofen + Azoxystrobin + Propiconazole was a new fungicide being developed by Syngenta for the control of leaf spots (Septoria, Cercospora,

Dithiopyr Crop Safety – 2018

Dimension was initially registered in 1992 for ornamental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of ornamental horticulture plants in landscapes where Dimension

Benzovindiflupyr + Azoxystrobin Crop Safety – 2017

In 2013, as part of the crop safety screening for new active ingredients and recently registered fungicides, IR-4 started testing Mural WDG (benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin) for

Oxathiapiprolin Crop Safety – 2017

Oxathiapiprolin was registered as Segovis in the United States in 2017 for disease control on ornamental horticulture plants in greenhouse and nurseries. The commercial label contains

Fluensulfone Crop Safety – 2017

Fluensulfone was registered as Nimitz Pro G in the United States in 2016 for nematode control in turf. Between 2012 and 2014, the IR-4 Project completed 13 trials on 8 ornamental horticulture

Metconazole Crop Safety – 2017

Metconazole was registered as Tourney 50WDG in the United States in 2007 as a turf fungicide. In 2010, uses for ornamental horticulture plants in greenhouse, nurseries, and landscapes were added.

Imazamox Crop Safety – 2016

Imazamox (Clearcast™) was registered for the control of vegetation in and around aquatic sites and terrestrial non-crop sites. in the United States in 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the IR-4 Project

Sulfentrazone + Prodiamine Crop Safety – 2016

Since 2007 IR-4 has completed 372 trials with products containing sulfentrazone + prodiamine (F6875 0.3G and F6875 4SC) on 92 crops. The data contained in this

Flumioxazin Crop Safety – 2016

  Flumioxazin has been registered in the United States since 2003 for uses in and around ornamental plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. Between 2000 and 2013, the IR-4 Project has

Tebuconazole Crop Safety – 2015

Tebuconazole was first registered in 1994 for peanut diseases. Since then its food use label has expanded to several other food crops. The first noncrop registration of Torque 3.6SC (tebuconazole)

Oregano Oil Crop Safety – 2014

From 2010 to 2013, IR-4 completed 28 trials on Bryophyter (Oregano oil). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of active ingredient on and around ornamental

d-Limonene Crop Safety – 2014

From 2012 to 2013, IR-4 completed 19 trials on Avenger Ag (d-limonene). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of active ingredient on and around ornamental

Pelargonic Acid Crop Safety – 2014

From 2010 to 2013, IR-4 completed 14 trials on Scythe (Pelargonic acid). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of active ingredient on and around ornamental

Sulfosulfuron Crop Safety – 2014

Since 2005 IR-4 has completed 192 trials with sulfosulfuron (Certainty 75WDG) on 79 plant genera or species. The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of sulfosulfuron on and

Trifluralin + Isoxaben Crop Safety – 2013

In an effort to provide weed management tools to growers of a wide variety of nursery ornamental crops this research was undertaken to expand the three pre-emergent herbicide labels:

Clethodim Crop Safety – 2012

Clethodim, a grass herbicide, was first registered in the US as Select Herbicide for ornamental horticulture crops in 1983 with a limited crop list. From 1997 through 2007, the IR-4 Project completed

Mesotrione Crop Safety – 2011

From 2007 to 2011, IR-4 completed 144 trials on Mesotrione SC.  The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of mesotrione on and around ornamental horticulture plants

Diuron Crop Safety – 2010

Data in this report were generated to expand registered uses of diuron on ornamental species. Diuron rates in these experiments ranged from 0.5 to 16 lb ai/A. Direx 80DF and Karmex 80WP were

Simazine Crop Safety – 2010

Princep 80W, 90W, 4G, 4L and Caliber 90 DG were tested on 54 plant genera or species over a sixteen year period (1973- 1989). Data in this report were generated to expand registered uses of simazine

V-10142 Crop Safety – 2010

From 2006 to 2009, IR-4 conducted 293 trials with V-10142 0.5G and V-10142 75WDG (imazasulfuron) on more than 60 crops. This research was undertaken to determine the level of

Oxyfluorfen Crop Safety – 2009

Oxyfluorfen (Goal 2XL) has been registered in the United States since 1979 (Goal 2E) for uses in and around ornamental plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. The label recommends

Clopyralid Crop Safety – 2009

Lontrel (clopyralid) was initially registered in 1998 for ornamental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of ornamental horticulture plants where Lontrel could be used without causing

EXC3898 Crop Safety – 2009

During 2008, IR-4 completed 97 trials on EXC3898 (mesotrione + prodiamine + s-metolachlor).  The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of EXC3898 on and around ornamental

Sethoxydim Crop Safety – 2008

Segment (sethoxydim), under the trade name Vantage, was initially registered in 1990 for ornamental horticulture uses. This initial label contained an extensive list of ornamental

Flumioxazin Crop Safety – 2007 Canada

Flumioxazin has been registered in the United States since 2003 for uses in and around ornamental plants in production nurseries and in landscapes. Between 2001 and 2006,

Quinoclamine Crop Safety – 2006

 Mogeton 25WP (quinoclamine) at 2, 4 and 8 oz product per gallon (1X, 2X and 4X rates) provides excellent control of liverworts in ornamental horticulture crops grown in containers in

Spirotetramat Crop Safety – 2015

Spirotetramat was registered as Kontos for use on ornamentals applied foliar or drench in the United States in 2008. The label recommends use on ornamental horticulture

Polyoxin D Crop Safety Summary – 2007

Polyoxin D was registered as Endorse in the United States in 2003 as a turf fungicide. In 2005, this label was updated to include applications for certain diseases on ornamental crops.

Ametoctradin + Dimethomorph Crop Safety – 2015

Orvego, registered with EPA on May 21, 2012 is a combination of ametoctradin (FRAC 45) and dimethomorph (FRAC 40). In 2012, IR-4 started testing Orvego (ametoctradin +

Acetic Acid Crop Safety – 2014

From 2010 to 2013, IR-4 completed 38 trials on WeedPharm (acetic acid). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of active ingredient on and around ornamental

Ammonium Nanonoate Crop Safety – 2014

From 2010 to 2013, IR-4 completed 24 trials on Racer (Ammonium nonanoate). The data contained in this report was generated to register uses of active ingredient on

• InvasiveSpecies

Nematode Efficacy – 2024

Nematodes are typically known for the damage they cause when feeding on or residing inside roots. However, they also can impact foliage. The host range of foliar and soil dwelling nematodes is wide affecting various environmental horticulture crops,

Bacterial Disease Efficacy – 2024

From 2008 to 2022, 83 products were tested through the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program as foliar or drench applications against bacterial pathogens. In addition to research collected through the IR-4 program, this summary includes

Mollusc Efficacy – 2024

Molluscs (slugs and snails) can cause significant feeding damage of environmental horticulture plants in production. Baits containg metaldehyde or iron phosphate are the primary means to manage molluscs. This project was initiated to examine the potential for active ingredients with less risky environmental

Fatty Acid Herbicide Efficacy – 2024

Fatty acid herbicides represent potential alternatives for managing glyphosate resistant weeds as well as an option for less environmental impacts for post emergent weed management. However, optimal use patterns have not been fully established. From 2020 to 2023, five different fatty

Phytophthora Efficacy – 2024

Root rots caused by Phytophthora species are often not noticed until foliar symptoms of wilting and stunting are observed. Phytophthora root rots are difficult to manage there are multiple species with differential sensitivities to fungicides.

Nutsedge and Sedge Efficacy – 2023

Nutsedges and sedges (Cyperus sp.) are difficult to manage during the production of perennial environmental horticulture crops grown in containers or in the field. During the 2006 IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Workshop, a project was prioritized to screen for efficacious

Rhizoctonia Efficacy – 2023

From 1999 to 2023, 44 products or active ingredients were evaluated for Rhizoctonia solani management in greenhouse experiments as soil drench, soil incorporation, foliar or soak application, and in field experiments as soil drenches.

Liverwort Efficacy – 2023

Liverworts (Marchantia sp.) are difficult to manage during the production of perennial environmental horticulture crops grown in containers. Liverworts are among the most serious weeds of container grown ornamentals.

Powdery Mildew Efficacy Summary – 2023

Powdery mildew is a highly recognizable disease with pronounced colonies of white on foliage and, for some species, on petals. Due to the high number of spored produced, powdery mildews often develop resistance quickly to fungicides.

Scale Efficacy – 2023

Managing scale insects presents unique challenges. Products with contact modes of action must be applied at specific timings in order to reach the most susceptible crawler stages. Products with

Botrytis Efficacy Summary – 2023

At the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program Workshop in 2011, Botrytis Efficacy was selected as a high priority project to expand the knowledge and list of fungicides available to growers for these diseases.

Mealybug Efficacy – 2023

Managing mealybugs and scale insects presents unique challenges. Products with contact modes of action must be applied at specific timings in order to reach the most susceptible crawler stages

Beetle, Borer, Weevil & White Grub Efficacy – 2023

Collectively, managing coleopteran insects can be challenging because the adult and larval stages may both cause damage and sometimes occur on different hosts or on different plant parts.

Pythium Efficacy Summary – 2022

At the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program Workshops in 2009 and 2019, Pythium Efficacy was selected as a high priority project to expand the knowledge and list of fungicides available to growers for these diseases.

Thrips Efficacy – 2022

For the last 16 years, the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Workshop has ranked developing efficacy data on new products to manage thrips as a High Priority Project either nationally or regionally.

Fusarium Literature Review & Efficacy Summary – 2021

From 2001 to 2020, numerous products representing 40 active ingredients were evaluated in greenhouse and field trials as soil drench, soil incorporation, foliar,in-furrow, drip irrigation

Bacterial Disease Efficacy Summary & Literature Review – 2021

From 2008 to 2020, 70 products were tested through the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program as drench or foliar applications against bacterial pathogens.

Thielaviopsis Efficacy Summary – 2021

From 2003 to 2020, numerous products representing 35 active ingredients were evaluated in greenhouse experiments as soil drenches against Thielaviopsis basicola causing black root rot

Botrytis Efficacy Summary – 2021

Bittercress Efficacy – 2020

Nursery growers have had a longstanding battle to control weeds in environmental horticulture crops. Bittercress(Cardimine spp.), is one of the most difficult weeds to control

Spurge Efficacy Summary – 2020

Nursery growers have had a longstanding battle to control weeds in environmental horticulture crops. Spurge (Chamaesyce maculata), is one of the most difficult weeds to control

Oxalis Efficacy Summary – 2020

Nursery growers have had a longstanding battle to control weeds in environmental horticulture crops. Oxalis (Oxalis spp.) is one of the most difficult weeds to control in

Downy Mildew APHIS Research Summary

Over a 5-year timeframe starting in 2013, the team of researchers listed above investigated several downy mildews – Impatiens and Cucurbit, primarily,

Mite Efficacy Summary – 2019

From 1999 to 2016, 34 active ingredients were tested mainly as foliar applications against several genera and species of mite pests on ornamentals and vegetables.

Algal Leaf Spot Efficacy Summary – 2019

At the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program Workshop in 2015, Algal Leaf Spot Efficacy was selected as a regional special project for the Southern Region

Leafminer Literature & Efficacy Summary – 2018

From 2009 to 2015, numerous products representing 15 active ingredients were evaluated in the greenhouse to control dipteran leafminers (Liriomyza trifolii and other species). Nine

Downy Mildew Efficacy Summary – 2017

In 2008, IR-4 initiated a high priority project to determine efficacy of several fungicides on downy mildew pathogens so data can be obtained to support current and future registrations.

Powdery Mildew Efficacy Summary – 2017

In this review of literature published from 1999 to 2016, 99 products representing 57 active ingredients were screened in greenhouse and field experiments against several species

Leaf Spot & Anthracnose Efficacy Summary – 2016

At the IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program Workshop in 2013, leaf spots and anthracnose efficacy was selected as a high priority project to expand the knowledge

Whitefly Efficacy Summary – 2014

Whiteflies are significant pests of ornamental horticulture crops. Three whiteflies species and biotypes contribute to crop production losses in the United States: greenhouse whitefly

Rust Disease Efficacy Summary – 2012

From 2000 to 2011, numerous products representing 30 active ingredients were tested as foliar applications against several genera and species of pathogens causing rust on

PGR Woody Branching – 2012

Hydrangeas are an increasingly popular group of shrubs which are prized for their flowers. Ornamental growers produce numerous varieties for the landscape, as well as, holiday florist markets.

PGR Herbaceous Branching – 2012

Three plant growth regulators, Augeo (dikegulac sodium), Configure (6-benzladenine) and Florel (ethephon), were tested to determine their potential for improving branching and quality

Gladiolus Rust APHIS Research Summary

The project entitled “Determining the impact of registered and non-registered fungicides and disinfestants on Uromyces transversalis, the causal agent of

PGR Improvement of Herbaceous Plant Shelf Life – 2011

Potted plants like geranium and impatiens are typically grown in the warmer regions of the United States and require shipping to reach northern markets for sale to

Early Post Emergence Efficacy Summary – 2011

From 2008 through 2011, fourteen pre-emergent herbicides were tested across the United States through the IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program to determine whether they can control

Liverwort Efficacy Summary – 2012

Data in this report were generated to evaluate several products for post-emergent control of liverworts (Marchantia sp.). Liverworts are among the most serious weeds of container grown ornamentals.

Pyrifluquinazon Efficacy & Crop Safety Summary – 2010

Pyrifluquinazon is a new active ingredient for the management of sucking pests, such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies and more. Its mode of action is to halt insect feeding so that they starve.

Tolfenpyrad Efficacy & Crop Safety Summary – 2010

Hachi-Hachi 15EC (tolfenpyrad) was registered July 28, 2010 for the control of aphids, leafhoppers, scales, thrips, whiteflies, and early instar lepidopteran larvae on ornamental

Cyprodinil + Fludioxonil Efficacy Summary – 2010

From 2000 to 2007, IR-4 researched crop safety and efficacy of Medallion (fludioxonil), Vanguard (cyprodinil), and Palladium (Switch 65WG, cyprodinil + fludioxonil).

Arthropod Shipping and European Pepper Moth APHIS Research Summary

The project entitled “Developing sustainable methods for controlling invasive pests on ornamental plant cuttings” had 6 objectives with two primary goals of

Aphid Efficacy Literature Review & Summary – 2015

In the past, IR-4 had conducted Ornamental Horticulture Surveys to poll growers, landscape care operators, researchers, extension personnel and others

• Annual Reports
• Headquarters Staff
• National Directory
• Regional Field Coordinators
• Mission & Vision
• Participants in the Process
• Biopesticide Regulatory Support Program
• Crop Grouping
• Integrated Solutions
• International Programs
• Residue and Product Performance
• Environmental Horticulture
• Events & Training
• Database: Food Crops
• Database: Environmental Horticulture
• Databases: Biopesticides and Organic Support
• Glossary of Acronyms
• Upload Files
• Submit a Request

Skip to content

• Our Faculty

Educational Programs

News & events, current projects, testing effects of cash transfers on biological aging and risk for alzheimer's disease.

The primary objectives of this project are to assess the effects of a cash transfer program on the prevention of biological aging and dementia risk in younger and older individuals. Additionally, we aim to investigate the association between biological aging and cognitive function in this population. The results of this research could hold substantial implications for public health by revealing the causal and long-term health consequences of socioeconomic interventions on health. Moreover, it will offer fresh perspectives on the levels of biological aging and Alzheimer’s Disease risk within the context of lower- and middle-income countries. (National Institute on Aging R01AG087158)

Genomic Analysis of the CALERIE Trial to Generate New Knowledge for Geroscience .

We are conducting genomic analysis of blood, muscle, and adipose tissue from the first-ever randomized controlled trial of caloric restriction in healthy, non-obese adults. We are studying how caloric restriction, which is proven to increase healthy lifespan in many animal models, may affect biological aging in humans. (National Institute on Aging R01AG061378)

Genetic Analysis of the Dutch Hunger Winter Families Study to Boost Rigor and Robustness for Testing In-Utero Famine Effects on Aging-Related Health Conditions and Biological Aging .

The graying global population makes interventions to extend healthy lifespan a public heath priority. Health insults during the perinatal period are linked with risk for aging-related health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardio-metabolic disease. If these associations are causal, interventions to prevent perinatal insults and to reverse their biological damage could delay disease onset and prolong healthspan, the length of time a person remains healthy. (National Institute on Aging R01AG066887)

The MyGoals for Healthy Aging Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

MyGoals for Healthy Aging is a randomized controlled trial testing if a novel anti-poverty program slows biological aging in highly disadvantaged public housing recipients, including by inducing changes in risk factors for Alzheimer's disease/Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. (National Institute on Aging R01AG073402)

Life-course Sociogenomic Analysis of Social Inequalities in Aging

Life-course social science links early-life social disadvantage with adverse outcomes in aging. A gap in knowledge is how social disadvantage is biologically embedded, leading to social inequalities. A hypothesis is that social disadvantage actually hastens aging. While everyone ages chronologically at the same rate, biological changes with aging may proceed faster for some than others. These changes are thought to be a root cause of disease/disability and an intervention target to extend healthy lifespan. (Russel Sage Foundation BioSS Grant 1810-08987 )

Developing Epigenetic Measurements to Forecast Long-Term Benefits of Early-Life Interventions

Early-life adversity a major driver of health and social problems across the life-course. Several interventions, including home-visitor programs, show potential to protect young children from lifelong damage arising from early-adversity. These interventions increase parental nurturing and prevent some early-life stress exposures. In the short- to medium-term, they benefit families and children. But longer-term outcomes vary substantially across children. (Jacobs Foundation Young Scholars Award; CIFAR CF-0249-CP22-034)

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• Published: 08 May 2024

A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease

• Michael B. Mahon   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9436-2998 1 , 2   na1 ,
• Alexandra Sack 1 , 3   na1 ,
• O. Alejandro Aleuy 1 ,
• Carly Barbera 1 ,
• Ethan Brown   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0827-4906 1 ,
• Heather Buelow   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3535-4151 1 ,
• David J. Civitello 4 ,
• Jeremy M. Cohen   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9611-9150 5 ,
• Luz A. de Wit   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3045-4017 1 ,
• Meghan Forstchen 1 , 3 ,
• Fletcher W. Halliday 6 ,
• Patrick Heffernan 1 ,
• Sarah A. Knutie 7 ,
• Alexis Korotasz 1 ,
• Joanna G. Larson   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1401-7837 1 ,
• Samantha L. Rumschlag   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3125-8402 1 , 2 ,
• Emily Selland   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4527-297X 1 , 3 ,
• Alexander Shepack 1 ,
• Nitin Vincent   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8593-1116 1 &
• Jason R. Rohr   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8285-4912 1 , 2 , 3   na1  

Nature ( 2024 ) Cite this article

2465 Accesses

432 Altmetric

Metrics details

• Infectious diseases

Anthropogenic change is contributing to the rise in emerging infectious diseases, which are significantly correlated with socioeconomic, environmental and ecological factors 1 . Studies have shown that infectious disease risk is modified by changes to biodiversity 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , climate change 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , chemical pollution 12 , 13 , 14 , landscape transformations 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 and species introductions 21 . However, it remains unclear which global change drivers most increase disease and under what contexts. Here we amassed a dataset from the literature that contains 2,938 observations of infectious disease responses to global change drivers across 1,497 host–parasite combinations, including plant, animal and human hosts. We found that biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, climate change and introduced species are associated with increases in disease-related end points or harm, whereas urbanization is associated with decreases in disease end points. Natural biodiversity gradients, deforestation and forest fragmentation are comparatively unimportant or idiosyncratic as drivers of disease. Overall, these results are consistent across human and non-human diseases. Nevertheless, context-dependent effects of the global change drivers on disease were found to be common. The findings uncovered by this meta-analysis should help target disease management and surveillance efforts towards global change drivers that increase disease. Specifically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing ecosystem health, and preventing biological invasions and biodiversity loss could help to reduce the burden of plant, animal and human diseases, especially when coupled with improvements to social and economic determinants of health.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

24,99 € / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

185,98 € per year

only 3,65 € per issue

Buy this article

• Purchase on Springer Link
• Instant access to full article PDF

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Towards common ground in the biodiversity–disease debate

Biological invasions facilitate zoonotic disease emergences

Measuring the shape of the biodiversity-disease relationship across systems reveals new findings and key gaps

Data availability.

All the data for this Article have been deposited at Zenodo ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8169979 ) 52 and GitHub ( https://github.com/mahonmb/GCDofDisease ) 53 .

Code availability

All the code for this Article has been deposited at Zenodo ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8169979 ) 52 and GitHub ( https://github.com/mahonmb/GCDofDisease ) 53 . R markdown is provided in Supplementary Data 1 .

Jones, K. E. et al. Global trends in emerging infectious diseases. Nature 451 , 990–994 (2008).

Article   ADS   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Civitello, D. J. et al. Biodiversity inhibits parasites: broad evidence for the dilution effect. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA 112 , 8667–8671 (2015).

Halliday, F. W., Rohr, J. R. & Laine, A.-L. Biodiversity loss underlies the dilution effect of biodiversity. Ecol. Lett. 23 , 1611–1622 (2020).

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Rohr, J. R. et al. Towards common ground in the biodiversity–disease debate. Nat. Ecol. Evol. 4 , 24–33 (2020).

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Johnson, P. T. J., Ostfeld, R. S. & Keesing, F. Frontiers in research on biodiversity and disease. Ecol. Lett. 18 , 1119–1133 (2015).

Keesing, F. et al. Impacts of biodiversity on the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. Nature 468 , 647–652 (2010).

Cohen, J. M., Sauer, E. L., Santiago, O., Spencer, S. & Rohr, J. R. Divergent impacts of warming weather on wildlife disease risk across climates. Science 370 , eabb1702 (2020).

Article   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Rohr, J. R. et al. Frontiers in climate change-disease research. Trends Ecol. Evol. 26 , 270–277 (2011).

Altizer, S., Ostfeld, R. S., Johnson, P. T. J., Kutz, S. & Harvell, C. D. Climate change and infectious diseases: from evidence to a predictive framework. Science 341 , 514–519 (2013).

Article   ADS   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Rohr, J. R. & Cohen, J. M. Understanding how temperature shifts could impact infectious disease. PLoS Biol. 18 , e3000938 (2020).

Carlson, C. J. et al. Climate change increases cross-species viral transmission risk. Nature 607 , 555–562 (2022).

Halstead, N. T. et al. Agrochemicals increase risk of human schistosomiasis by supporting higher densities of intermediate hosts. Nat. Commun. 9 , 837 (2018).

Article   ADS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Martin, L. B., Hopkins, W. A., Mydlarz, L. D. & Rohr, J. R. The effects of anthropogenic global changes on immune functions and disease resistance. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1195 , 129–148 (2010).

Rumschlag, S. L. et al. Effects of pesticides on exposure and susceptibility to parasites can be generalised to pesticide class and type in aquatic communities. Ecol. Lett. 22 , 962–972 (2019).

Allan, B. F., Keesing, F. & Ostfeld, R. S. Effect of forest fragmentation on Lyme disease risk. Conserv. Biol. 17 , 267–272 (2003).

Article   Google Scholar  

Brearley, G. et al. Wildlife disease prevalence in human‐modified landscapes. Biol. Rev. 88 , 427–442 (2013).

Rohr, J. R. et al. Emerging human infectious diseases and the links to global food production. Nat. Sustain. 2 , 445–456 (2019).

Bradley, C. A. & Altizer, S. Urbanization and the ecology of wildlife diseases. Trends Ecol. Evol. 22 , 95–102 (2007).

Allen, T. et al. Global hotspots and correlates of emerging zoonotic diseases. Nat. Commun. 8 , 1124 (2017).

Sokolow, S. H. et al. Ecological and socioeconomic factors associated with the human burden of environmentally mediated pathogens: a global analysis. Lancet Planet. Health 6 , e870–e879 (2022).

Young, H. S., Parker, I. M., Gilbert, G. S., Guerra, A. S. & Nunn, C. L. Introduced species, disease ecology, and biodiversity–disease relationships. Trends Ecol. Evol. 32 , 41–54 (2017).

Barouki, R. et al. The COVID-19 pandemic and global environmental change: emerging research needs. Environ. Int. 146 , 106272 (2021).

Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Nova, N., Athni, T. S., Childs, M. L., Mandle, L. & Mordecai, E. A. Global change and emerging infectious diseases. Ann. Rev. Resour. Econ. 14 , 333–354 (2021).

Zhang, L. et al. Biological invasions facilitate zoonotic disease emergences. Nat. Commun. 13 , 1762 (2022).

Olival, K. J. et al. Host and viral traits predict zoonotic spillover from mammals. Nature 546 , 646–650 (2017).

Guth, S. et al. Bats host the most virulent—but not the most dangerous—zoonotic viruses. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 119 , e2113628119 (2022).

Nelson, G. C. et al. in Ecosystems and Human Well-Being (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) Vol. 2 (eds Rola, A. et al) Ch. 7, 172–222 (Island Press, 2005).

Read, A. F., Graham, A. L. & Raberg, L. Animal defenses against infectious agents: is damage control more important than pathogen control? PLoS Biol. 6 , 2638–2641 (2008).

Article   CAS   Google Scholar  

Medzhitov, R., Schneider, D. S. & Soares, M. P. Disease tolerance as a defense strategy. Science 335 , 936–941 (2012).

Torchin, M. E. & Mitchell, C. E. Parasites, pathogens, and invasions by plants and animals. Front. Ecol. Environ. 2 , 183–190 (2004).

Bellay, S., de Oliveira, E. F., Almeida-Neto, M. & Takemoto, R. M. Ectoparasites are more vulnerable to host extinction than co-occurring endoparasites: evidence from metazoan parasites of freshwater and marine fishes. Hydrobiologia 847 , 2873–2882 (2020).

Scheffer, M. Critical Transitions in Nature and Society Vol. 16 (Princeton Univ. Press, 2020).

Rohr, J. R. et al. A planetary health innovation for disease, food and water challenges in Africa. Nature 619 , 782–787 (2023).

Reaser, J. K., Witt, A., Tabor, G. M., Hudson, P. J. & Plowright, R. K. Ecological countermeasures for preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks: when ecological restoration is a human health imperative. Restor. Ecol. 29 , e13357 (2021).

Hopkins, S. R. et al. Evidence gaps and diversity among potential win–win solutions for conservation and human infectious disease control. Lancet Planet. Health 6 , e694–e705 (2022).

Mitchell, C. E. & Power, A. G. Release of invasive plants from fungal and viral pathogens. Nature 421 , 625–627 (2003).

Chamberlain, S. A. & Szöcs, E. taxize: taxonomic search and retrieval in R. F1000Research 2 , 191 (2013).

Newman, M. Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology (CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, 2010).

Rohatgi, A. WebPlotDigitizer v.4.5 (2021); automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer .

Lüdecke, D. esc: effect size computation for meta analysis (version 0.5.1). Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1249218 (2019).

Lipsey, M. W. & Wilson, D. B. Practical Meta-Analysis (SAGE, 2001).

R Core Team. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing Vol. 2022 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, 2020); www.R-project.org/ .

Viechtbauer, W. Conducting meta-analyses in R with the metafor package. J. Stat. Softw. 36 , 1–48 (2010).

Pustejovsky, J. E. & Tipton, E. Meta-analysis with robust variance estimation: Expanding the range of working models. Prev. Sci. 23 , 425–438 (2022).

Lenth, R. emmeans: estimated marginal means, aka least-squares means. R package v.1.5.1 (2020).

Bartoń, K. MuMIn: multi-modal inference. Model selection and model averaging based on information criteria (AICc and alike) (2019).

Burnham, K. P. & Anderson, D. R. Multimodel inference: understanding AIC and BIC in model selection. Sociol. Methods Res. 33 , 261–304 (2004).

Article   MathSciNet   Google Scholar  

Marks‐Anglin, A. & Chen, Y. A historical review of publication bias. Res. Synth. Methods 11 , 725–742 (2020).

Nakagawa, S. et al. Methods for testing publication bias in ecological and evolutionary meta‐analyses. Methods Ecol. Evol. 13 , 4–21 (2022).

Gurevitch, J., Koricheva, J., Nakagawa, S. & Stewart, G. Meta-analysis and the science of research synthesis. Nature 555 , 175–182 (2018).

Bates, D., Mächler, M., Bolker, B. & Walker, S. Fitting linear mixed-effects models using lme4. J. Stat. Softw. 67 , 1–48 (2015).

Mahon, M. B. et al. Data and code for ‘A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease’. Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8169979 (2024).

Mahon, M. B. et al. Data and code for ‘A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease’. GitHub github.com/mahonmb/GCDofDisease (2024).

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank C. Mitchell for contributing data on enemy release; L. Albert and B. Shayhorn for assisting with data collection; J. Gurevitch, M. Lajeunesse and G. Stewart for providing comments on an earlier version of this manuscript; and C. Carlson and two anonymous reviewers for improving this paper. This research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (DEB-2109293, DEB-2017785, DEB-1518681, IOS-1754868), National Institutes of Health (R01TW010286) and US Department of Agriculture (2021-38420-34065) to J.R.R.; a US Geological Survey Powell grant to J.R.R. and S.L.R.; University of Connecticut Start-up funds to S.A.K.; grants from the National Science Foundation (IOS-1755002) and National Institutes of Health (R01 AI150774) to D.J.C.; and an Ambizione grant (PZ00P3_202027) from the Swiss National Science Foundation to F.W.H. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

These authors contributed equally: Michael B. Mahon, Alexandra Sack, Jason R. Rohr

Authors and Affiliations

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA

Michael B. Mahon, Alexandra Sack, O. Alejandro Aleuy, Carly Barbera, Ethan Brown, Heather Buelow, Luz A. de Wit, Meghan Forstchen, Patrick Heffernan, Alexis Korotasz, Joanna G. Larson, Samantha L. Rumschlag, Emily Selland, Alexander Shepack, Nitin Vincent & Jason R. Rohr

Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA

Michael B. Mahon, Samantha L. Rumschlag & Jason R. Rohr

Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA

Alexandra Sack, Meghan Forstchen, Emily Selland & Jason R. Rohr

Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

David J. Civitello

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

Jeremy M. Cohen

Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

Fletcher W. Halliday

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Sarah A. Knutie

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

J.R.R. conceptualized the study. All of the authors contributed to the methodology. All of the authors contributed to investigation. Visualization was performed by M.B.M. The initial study list and related information were compiled by D.J.C., J.M.C., F.W.H., S.A.K., S.L.R. and J.R.R. Data extraction was performed by M.B.M., A.S., O.A.A., C.B., E.B., H.B., L.A.d.W., M.F., P.H., A.K., J.G.L., E.S., A.S. and N.V. Data were checked for accuracy by M.B.M. and A.S. Analyses were performed by M.B.M. and J.R.R. Funding was acquired by D.J.C., J.R.R., S.A.K. and S.L.R. Project administration was done by J.R.R. J.R.R. supervised the study. J.R.R. and M.B.M. wrote the original draft. All of the authors reviewed and edited the manuscript. J.R.R. and M.B.M. responded to reviewers.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason R. Rohr .

Ethics declarations

Competing interests.

The authors declare no competing interests.

Peer review

Peer review information.

Nature thanks Colin Carlson and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. Peer reviewer reports are available.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Extended data figures and tables

Extended data fig. 1 prisma flowchart..

The PRISMA flow diagram of the search and selection of studies included in this meta-analysis. Note that 77 studies came from the Halliday et al. 3 database on biodiversity change.

Extended Data Fig. 2 Summary of the number of studies (A-F) and parasite taxa (G-L) in the infectious disease database across ecological contexts.

The contexts are global change driver ( A , G ), parasite taxa ( B , H ), host taxa ( C , I ), experimental venue ( D , J ), study habitat ( E , K ), and human parasite status ( F , L ).

Extended Data Fig. 3 Summary of the number of effect sizes (A-I), studies (J-R), and parasite taxa (S-a) in the infectious disease database for various parasite and host contexts.

Shown are parasite type ( A , J , S ), host thermy ( B , K , T ), vector status ( C , L , U ), vector-borne status ( D , M , V ), parasite transmission ( E , N , W ), free living stages ( F , O , X ), host (e.g. disease, host growth, host survival) or parasite (e.g. parasite abundance, prevalence, fecundity) endpoint ( G , P , Y ), micro- vs macroparasite ( H , Q , Z ), and zoonotic status ( I , R , a ).

Extended Data Fig. 4 The effects of global change drivers and subsequent subcategories on disease responses with Log Response Ratio instead of Hedge’s g.

Here, Log Response Ratio shows similar trends to that of Hedge’s g presented in the main text. The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from a meta-analytical model with separate random intercepts for study. Points that do not share letters are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05) based on a two-sided Tukey’s posthoc multiple comparison test with adjustment for multiple comparisons. See Table S 3 for pairwise comparison results. Effects of the five common global change drivers ( A ) have the same directionality, similar magnitude, and significance as those presented in Fig. 2 . Global change driver effects are significant when confidence intervals do not overlap with zero and explicitly tested with two-tailed t-test (indicated by asterisks; t 80.62  = 2.16, p = 0.034 for CP; t 71.42  = 2.10, p = 0.039 for CC; t 131.79  = −3.52, p < 0.001 for HLC; t 61.9  = 2.10, p = 0.040 for IS). The subcategories ( B ) also show similar patterns as those presented in Fig. 3 . Subcategories are significant when confidence intervals do not overlap with zero and were explicitly tested with two-tailed one sample t-test (t 30.52  = 2.17, p = 0.038 for CO 2 ; t 40.03  = 4.64, p < 0.001 for Enemy Release; t 47.45  = 2.18, p = 0.034 for Mean Temperature; t 110.81  = −4.05, p < 0.001 for Urbanization); all other subcategories have p > 0.20. Note that effect size and study numbers are lower here than in Figs. 3 and 4 , because log response ratios cannot be calculated for studies that provide coefficients (e.g., odds ratio) rather than raw data; as such, all observations within BC did not have associated RR values. Despite strong differences in sample size, patterns are consistent across effect sizes, and therefore, we can be confident that the results presented in the main text are not biased because of effect size selection.

Extended Data Fig. 5 Average standard errors of the effect sizes (A) and sample sizes per effect size (B) for each of the five global change drivers.

The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from the generalized linear mixed effects models with separate random intercepts for study (Gaussian distribution for standard error model, A ; Poisson distribution for sample size model, B ). Points that do not share letters are significantly different from one another (p < 0.05) based on a two-sided Tukey’s posthoc multiple comparison test with adjustment for multiple comparisons. Sample sizes (number of studies, n, and effect sizes, k) for each driver are as follows: n = 77, k = 392 for BC; n = 124, k = 364 for CP; n = 202, k = 380 for CC; n = 517, k = 1449 for HLC; n = 96, k = 355 for IS.

Extended Data Fig. 6 Forest plots of effect sizes, associated variances, and relative weights (A), Funnel plots (B), and Egger’s Test plots (C) for each of the five global change drivers and leave-one-out publication bias analyses (D).

In panel A , points are the individual effect sizes (Hedge’s G), error bars are standard errors of the effect size, and size of the points is the relative weight of the observation in the model, with larger points representing observations with higher weight in the model. Sample sizes are provided for each effect size in the meta-analytic database. Effect sizes were plotted in a random order. Egger’s tests indicated significant asymmetries (p < 0.05) in Biodiversity Change (worst asymmetry – likely not bias, just real effect of positive relationship between diversity and disease), Climate Change – (weak asymmetry, again likely not bias, climate change generally increases disease), and Introduced Species (relatively weak asymmetry – unclear whether this is a bias, may be driven by some outliers). No significant asymmetries (p > 0.05) were found in Chemical Pollution and Habitat Loss/Change, suggesting negligible publication bias in reported disease responses across these global change drivers ( B , C ). Egger’s test included publication year as moderator but found no significant relationship between Hedge’s g and publication year (p > 0.05) implying no temporal bias in effect size magnitude or direction. In panel D , the horizontal red lines denote the grand mean and SE of Hedge’s g and (g = 0.1009, SE = 0.0338). Grey points and error bars indicate the Hedge’s g and SEs, respectively, using the leave-one-out method (grand mean is recalculated after a given study is removed from dataset). While the removal of certain studies resulted in values that differed from the grand mean, all estimated Hedge’s g values fell well within the standard error of the grand mean. This sensitivity analysis indicates that our results were robust to the iterative exclusion of individual studies.

Extended Data Fig. 7 The effects of habitat loss/change on disease depend on parasite taxa and land use conversion contexts.

A) Enemy type influences the magnitude of the effect of urbanization on disease: helminths, protists, and arthropods were all negatively associated with urbanization, whereas viruses were non-significantly positively associated with urbanization. B) Reference (control) land use type influences the magnitude of the effect of urbanization on disease: disease was reduced in urban settings compared to rural and peri-urban settings, whereas there were no differences in disease along urbanization gradients or between urban and natural settings. C) The effect of forest fragmentation depends on whether a large/continuous habitat patch is compared to a small patch or whether disease it is measured along an increasing fragmentation gradient (Z = −2.828, p = 0.005). Conversely, the effect of deforestation on disease does not depend on whether the habitat has been destroyed and allowed to regrow (e.g., clearcutting, second growth forests, etc.) or whether it has been replaced with agriculture (e.g., row crop, agroforestry, livestock grazing; Z = 1.809, p = 0.0705). The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from a metafor model where the response variable was a Hedge’s g (representing the effect on an infectious disease endpoint relative to control), study was treated as a random effect, and the independent variables included enemy type (A), reference land use type (B), or land use conversion type (C). Data for (A) and (B) were only those studies that were within the “urbanization” subcategory; data for (C) were only those studies that were within the “deforestation” and “forest fragmentation” subcategories. Sample sizes (number of studies, n, and effect sizes, k) in (A) for each enemy are n = 48, k = 98 for Virus; n = 193, k = 343 for Protist; n = 159, k = 490 for Helminth; n = 10, k = 24 for Fungi; n = 103, k = 223 for Bacteria; and n = 30, k = 73 for Arthropod. Sample sizes in (B) for each reference land use type are n = 391, k = 1073 for Rural; n = 29, k = 74 for Peri-urban; n = 33, k = 83 for Natural; and n = 24, k = 58 for Urban Gradient. Sample sizes in (C) for each land use conversion type are n = 7, k = 47 for Continuous Gradient; n = 16, k = 44 for High/Low Fragmentation; n = 11, k = 27 for Clearcut/Regrowth; and n = 21, k = 43 for Agriculture.

Extended Data Fig. 8 The effects of common global change drivers on mean infectious disease responses in the literature depends on whether the endpoint is the host or parasite; whether the parasite is a vector, is vector-borne, has a complex or direct life cycle, or is a macroparasite; whether the host is an ectotherm or endotherm; or the venue and habitat in which the study was conducted.

A ) Parasite endpoints. B ) Vector-borne status. C ) Parasite transmission route. D ) Parasite size. E ) Venue. F ) Habitat. G ) Host thermy. H ) Parasite type (ecto- or endoparasite). See Table S 2 for number of studies and effect sizes across ecological contexts and global change drivers. See Table S 3 for pairwise comparison results. The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from a metafor model where the response variable was a Hedge’s g (representing the effect on an infectious disease endpoint relative to control), study was treated as a random effect, and the independent variables included the main effects and an interaction between global change driver and the focal independent variable (whether the endpoint measured was a host or parasite, whether the parasite is vector-borne, has a complex or direct life cycle, is a macroparasite, whether the study was conducted in the field or lab, habitat, the host is ectothermic, or the parasite is an ectoparasite).

Extended Data Fig. 9 The effects of five common global change drivers on mean infectious disease responses in the literature only occasionally depend on location, host taxon, and parasite taxon.

A ) Continent in which the field study occurred. Lack of replication in chemical pollution precluded us from including South America, Australia, and Africa in this analysis. B ) Host taxa. C ) Enemy taxa. See Table S 2 for number of studies and effect sizes across ecological contexts and global change drivers. See Table S 3 for pairwise comparison results. The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from a metafor model where the response variable was a Hedge’s g (representing the effect on an infectious disease endpoint relative to control), study was treated as a random effect, and the independent variables included the main effects and an interaction between global change driver and continent, host taxon, and enemy taxon.

Extended Data Fig. 10 The effects of human vs. non-human endpoints for the zoonotic disease subset of database and wild vs. domesticated animal endpoints for the non-human animal subset of database are consistent across global change drivers.

(A) Zoonotic disease responses measured on human hosts responded less positively (closer to zero when positive, further from zero when negative) than those measured on non-human (animal) hosts (Z = 2.306, p = 0.021). Note, IS studies were removed because of missing cells. (B) Disease responses measured on domestic animal hosts responded less positively (closer to zero when positive, further from zero when negative) than those measured on wild animal hosts (Z = 2.636, p = 0.008). These results were consistent across global change drivers (i.e., no significant interaction between endpoint and global change driver). As many of the global change drivers increase zoonotic parasites in non-human animals and all parasites in wild animals, this may suggest that anthropogenic change might increase the occurrence of parasite spillover from animals to humans and thus also pandemic risk. The displayed points represent the mean predicted values (with 95% confidence intervals) from a metafor model where the response variable was a Hedge’s g (representing the effect on an infectious disease endpoint relative to control), study was treated as a random effect, and the independent variable of global change driver and human/non-human hosts. Data for (A) were only those diseases that are considered “zoonotic”; data for (B) were only those endpoints that were measured on non-human animals. Sample sizes in (A) for zoonotic disease measured on human endpoints across global change drivers are n = 3, k = 17 for BC; n = 2, k = 6 for CP; n = 25, k = 39 for CC; and n = 175, k = 331 for HLC. Sample sizes in (A) for zoonotic disease measured on non-human endpoints across global change drivers are n = 25, k = 52 for BC; n = 2, k = 3 for CP; n = 18, k = 29 for CC; n = 126, k = 289 for HLC. Sample sizes in (B) for wild animal endpoints across global change drivers are n = 28, k = 69 for BC; n = 21, k = 44 for CP; n = 50, k = 89 for CC; n = 121, k = 360 for HLC; and n = 29, k = 45 for IS. Sample sizes in (B) for domesticated animal endpoints across global change drivers are n = 2, k = 4 for BC; n = 4, k = 11 for CP; n = 7, k = 20 for CC; n = 78, k = 197 for HLC; and n = 1, k = 2 for IS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information.

Supplementary Discussion, Supplementary References and Supplementary Tables 1–3.

Reporting Summary

Peer review file, supplementary data 1.

R markdown code and output associated with this paper.

Supplementary Table 4

EcoEvo PRISMA checklist.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Mahon, M.B., Sack, A., Aleuy, O.A. et al. A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease. Nature (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07380-6

Download citation

Received : 02 August 2022

Accepted : 03 April 2024

Published : 08 May 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07380-6

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines . If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research, free to your inbox weekly.

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations

Migrated Content

Advancing the agenda of extending social protection to migrants in GCC countries by increasing knowledge of existing coverage gaps, facilitating dialogue between stakeholders in countries of origin and destination, and providing technical assistance to ongoing policy reforms.

1 January 2021 - 30 April 2024

RAB/20/01/CHE

Additional details

Migrant workers play a key role in the labour markets of GCC countries, where they make up the vast proportion of private sector employment. The ILO estimated that Arab States hosted 24.1 million migrant workers in 2019. Most migrant workers in the GCC countries are from Asia, with sizeable numbers from other Arab countries, and increasingly from East Africa.  Labour migration has proven to be beneficial to both countries of origin and destination, as it provides jobs and employment opportunities for millions of workers and contributes to economic growth in destination and origin countries. Nevertheless, migrant workers in the Gulf countries face important gaps in relation to labour protection, as well as fundamental rights at work. This is coupled with limited access to social protection. Social protection provisions for migrant workers in the Gulf countries are characterized by important gaps, shaped by the legacy of the sponsorship system, the short-term migration paradigm, and the duality of provisions between national and migrant workers. Migrant workers tend to be principally covered through employer-liability mechanisms. Long-term benefits covering risks of old-age, disability and unemployment are almost entirely unaddressed, as well as the rights of family members. Domestic workers, migrant workers in an irregular situation and those working in the informal economy are particularly vulnerable and lack access to basic forms of social protection.  

Why extend social protection to migrant workers in the GCC?

Development gains from labour migration and the protection of the rights of migrant workers are inseparable. Migrant workers contribute significantly to promoting development and reducing poverty in their countries of origin as well as to supporting the economic activity of the destination countries. Nonetheless, the development benefits of labour migration should not be at the expense of the protection of migrant workers. The pandemic has amplified the importance of extending social protection to migrant workers, given the benefits to individuals and their families, communities, and societies, as well as to economic growth, sustainable development, and social cohesion. There is now widespread acceptance that comprehensive social protection systems serve as social and economic stabilizers and can support recovery and build resilience in case of future crises.  

A standards-driven approach

Social security is a basic human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, and is at the heart of the ILO’s mandate to promote “the extension of social security measures to provide basic income to all in need of such protection and comprehensive medical care”. To fulfil this mandate, the ILO has developed a comprehensive body of standards aimed at guaranteeing the social security rights of all workers, including migrant workers, based on the overarching principle of equality of treatment and non-discrimination. International labour standards provide guidance on how to extend social protection to migrant workers and establish core social security principles: • Equality of treatment between national and non-nationals whereby migrants have the same social security rights and obligations as nationals in the destination country;  • Determination of the applicable legislation to ensure that the social security of a migrant worker is governed at any time by the legislation of one country only;  • Maintenance of acquired rights and payment of benefits abroad whereby any acquired right should be guaranteed to the migrant worker in one territory even if it has been acquired in another;  • Maintenance of rights in the course of acquisition whereby the completion of a benefit-related qualifying period should account for periods served in each country;  • Mutual administrative assistance ensures the coordination and the data and information exchange required for the implementation of social security agreements. Read more on ILO social security standards for migrant workers here:  

• ILO. 2021. “Extending social protection to migrant workers, refugees, and their families: Guide for policymakers and practitioners”.
• ILO. 2022. “Securing social protection for migrant workers and their families: Challenges and options for building a better future”, GB.344/POL/1 .

New momentum for reforms in the GCC

While the extension of social protection to migrant workers was already a rising issue on the agenda in the GCC region, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted its urgency. The limited effectiveness of social protection systems was acutely felt during the pandemic, leaving many migrant workers highly exposed. Employers have also faced the financial consequences of social protection approaches that are not based on collective financing.  As countries in the region have once more realized the social and economic cost of uneven social protection systems, new avenues are emerging across the GCC region to extend social protection to migrant workers both in legislation and in practice.  New developments include: • Ongoing reforms of social health protection mechanisms for migrant workers. • Expansion of short-term social insurance benefits to private sector workers , including migrant workers under national systems, for example in relation to employment injury insurance, unemployment, sickness and maternity. • Efforts to ensure better compliance with end-of-service benefits systems , including through the establishment of national funds. Stronger dialogue between countries of origin and destinations, a deeper assessment of workers and employers’ preferences for reforms, and the full consideration of barriers for effective enjoyment of social protection benefits are key elements to advance the agenda.  

A new emerging evidence base

The ILO has supported the development of new evidence-based research on the extension of social protection to migrant workers in the GCC:  

• Flagship Report – ILO. 2023. Social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A regional mapping of provisions on paper and in practice.  This report explores the de jure (according to the law) and the de facto (actual) access of migrant workers to nine areas of social protection across the GCC countries, and the factors that have facilitated or hindered the extension of such coverage. The report is the first of its kind to assess this topic in a structured and systematic manner, and includes a review of the relevant literature in both English and Arabic, a review of applicable legislation and regulations by country, and an analysis of 51 key informant interviews.
• Policy Paper- ILO. 2023. Reforming end-of-service indemnity for migrant workers in Member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).  "Policy options for the progressive realization of international social security standards". The policy paper analyses end-of-service indemnity (EOSI) schemes in the GCC countries and proposes policy reform solutions in line with core principles enshrined in international social security standards. It aims at informing dialogue around the limitations of current EOSI schemes, and involving workers, employers and governments in the GCC in the identification of appropriate policy options for reforms at national and regional level.
• Research Paper – ILO. 2023. Extending social protection to migrant workers in the Arab region. An analysis of existing barriers and good practices in light of international social security standards. This research paper aims to examine barriers to the social security of migrant workers in the Arab region, identify current practices and chart possible avenue for progressive reform. It reflects on the importance of extending social protection to migrant workers from the vantage point of international labour and social security standards. The paper also presents a typology of drivers of exclusion that prevents social security access across the Arab region. Based on available best practices from the region, the paper proposes key elements for a progressive reform agenda to advance the universal right to social protection to migrant workers in the region.
• Legal Report – ILO. 2023. Review of national social protection legislation and legal frameworks for migrant workers in the Gulf countries. This report analyses the legal (de jure) coverage of social protection for migrant workers among the six Member States of the GCC. Developed in collaboration with ODI and Clyde and co.
• Report – ILO. 2023 Access to social protection for Nepalese migrant workers in countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). This study explores the access to social protection for Nepalese migrant workers in countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). It is the first of its kind to analyse data collected from migrant workers in all the GCC countries on their de facto access to social protection for health coverage, sickness, maternity, unemployment, employment injury as well as access to EOSI. The study focuses on Nepalese returnees from the GCC as Nepal is one of the largest suppliers of labour globally that also have a number of provisions in place to cover migrant workers abroad, allowing for an analysis of social protection provisions in both countries of origin and destination.

Activities and News

• Past event: Social protection in the Gulf countries: what rights can migrant workers access?
• Past event: Extending social protection to migrant workers in Gulf countries: State of play and next steps for reform, hosted by ODI
• The ILO participated in a series of two workshops organized by the GCC Executive Bureau for Labour Ministries pertaining to reforms of end-of-service indemnities in the region
• Governments, workers and employers representatives explored regional perspectives on extending social protection to migrant workers in the Middle East and Northern Africa, at the ILO side event at the 49th Arab Labour Conference in Cairo  
• Ground-breaking reforms in Oman pave the way for a new social protection model in Gulf Cooperation Council countries . 

Project summary and components

The overall objective of the project is to promote the extension of social protection for migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in accordance with international social security standards, by promoting research, informing social dialogue and supporting reform efforts. The project operates along three main axes:

• regional and national assessments of social protection provisions for migrant workers in the GCC countries;
• country level analysis of barriers to access to social protection for migrant workers and policy dialogue on opportunities for reform, including countries of origin and destination; 
• technical assistance and support to reform efforts at country level.

The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Contacts: Lea Bou Khater: [email protected] ; Luca Pellerano: [email protected] ; Ryszard Cholewinski: [email protected]

Related content

Ministerial Declaration sets the Vision for Achieving Universal Social Protection in the Arab World

Ground-breaking reforms in Oman pave the way for a new social protection model in Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Reforming end-of-service indemnity for migrant workers in Member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)

Review of National Social Protection Legislation and Legal Frameworks for Migrant Workers in the Gulf Countries

Far-reaching reforms in Oman set new benchmark for social protection in the region

Workshop explores policy solutions for end-of-service indemnity (EOSI) system in Kuwait

Extending social protection to migrant workers in the Arab region would benefit workers and economies alike

Social protection coverage for national and migrant workers in the Arab World

World Social Protection Report 2020–22: Regional companion report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Social Security in Oman

Oman’s new unemployment insurance scheme will reduce COVID-19 labour market shocks – PASI General Manager

Online Event

Social protection in the Gulf countries: what rights can migrant workers access?

Social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A regional mapping of provisions on paper and in practice

Access to social protection for Nepalese migrant workers in countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

ILO Launches Flagship Study on Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Social Protection in the Gulf countries- Event playback in Englsih.

Advancing social protection for migrant workers in the GCC countries: New ambition emerges from discussion at the Global Forum for Migration and Development Summit

Bahrain takes leap forward in enhancing end-of-service rights for migrant workers

Social protection coverage for national and migrant workers in the formal private sector in the GCC countries.

Research on Economic Operation Analysis Method of Aerospace Enterprises Based on Big Data

• Conference paper
• First Online: 11 May 2024
• Cite this conference paper

• Jia Yuxin 40 ,
• Zuo Bo 40 ,
• Zhang Hanjia 40 &
• Sun Yan 40  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering ((LNEE,volume 1188))

Included in the following conference series:

• International Conference On Signal And Information Processing, Networking And Computers

This thesis summarizes the construction of a digital financial management platform in the operational management process of aerospace enterprises, covering comprehensive budgeting, contract management, and full life-cycle funding for projects, among other financial management tasks. By establishing a digital financial platform based on unified data sources, conducting in-depth data governance, and achieving interconnection and sharing of financial and business information, a management dashboard based on real-time data is created. Cost data is accurately delivered to different users through cost models, ensuring timely dissemination of financial information. By assetizing financial data and modeling business processes, standard tools and methods are provided for financial management in aerospace enterprises, ensuring that costs are known, visible, and controllable, and effectively improving the level of financial meticulous management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Durable hardcover edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Ding, G., Song, D., Wang, Q.: Research on the construction of financial and economic information system based on business-finance integration-a case study of a certain institution. Manag. Adm. 1 (01), 106–110 (2021)

Google Scholar  

Shi, M., Wang,B.F., Cao, Y.J.: Design and verification of big data processing system oriented spacecraft control mission 27 (6), 69–76 (2018)

Li, X.: Discussion on building business-finance integrated management system. China Bus. Forum 7 (07), 125–126 (2020)

Xiao, P.: The application of management accounting in enterprises from the perspective of business-finance integration. Natl. Distrib. Econ. 4 (20), 181–183 (2021)

Zhang, L.: The practice of management accounting in enterprises from the perspective of business-finance integration. Taxation 14 (03), 103–105 (2020)

Fang, B.: On the role of agricultural big data in agricultural economic management. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. (S1), 127 (2020)

Sobolevsky, S.: Predicting regional economic indices using big data of individual bank card transactions. Comput. Sci., 1313–1318 (2015)

Wang, S.: An interview with Shouyang Wang: research frontier of big data-driven economic and financial forecasting. Data Sci. Manag. 1 (1), 10–12 (2021)

Rui, X.: The study on the economic application of financial big data. Rev. Glob. Acad. 1 (1), 311 (2014)

Dima, A.M.: Resilience and economic intelligence through digitalization and big data analytics. Amfiteatru Econ. J. 1 (1), 23 (2021)

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094, China

Jia Yuxin, Zuo Bo, Zhang Hanjia & Sun Yan

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jia Yuxin .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, China

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, Beijing, China

China Unicom Research Institute, Beijing, Beijing, China

Zhilei Ling

Xinzhou Cheng

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Cite this paper.

Yuxin, J., Bo, Z., Hanjia, Z., Yan, S. (2024). Research on Economic Operation Analysis Method of Aerospace Enterprises Based on Big Data. In: Wang, Y., Zou, J., Xu, L., Ling, Z., Cheng, X. (eds) Signal and Information Processing, Networking and Computers. ICSINC 2023. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 1188. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-2124-5_11

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-2124-5_11

Published : 11 May 2024

Publisher Name : Springer, Singapore

Print ISBN : 978-981-97-2123-8

Online ISBN : 978-981-97-2124-5

eBook Packages : Engineering Engineering (R0)

Share this paper

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Breaking the Scaling Limits: New Ultralow-noise Superconducting Camera for Exoplanet Searches

When imaging faint objects such as distant stars or exoplanets, capturing every last bit of light is crucial to get the most out of a scientific mission. These cameras must be extremely low-noise, and be able to detect the smallest quantities of light—single photons.  Superconducting cameras excel in both of these criteria, but have historically not been widely applicable because their camera sizes have been small, rarely exceeding a few thousand pixels, which limits their ability to capture high-resolution images.  However, a team of researchers has recently shattered that barrier, developing a superconducting camera with 400,000 pixels, which could be used to detect faint astronomical signals in a wide range of wavelengths—from the ultraviolet to the infrared.

While plenty of other camera technologies exist, cameras using superconducting detectors are very appealing for use in astronomical missions due to their extremely low-noise operation.  When imaging faint sources, it is crucial that a camera report the quantity of received light faithfully, and not skew the amount of light received or inject its own false signals.   Superconducting detectors are more than capable of this task, owing to their low-temperature operation and unique composition. As described by project lead Dr. Adam McCaughan, "with these detectors you could take data all day long, capturing billions of photons, and fewer than ten of those photons would be the result of noise."

But while superconducting detectors hold great promise for astronomical applications, their usage in that field has been stymied by small camera sizes that permit relatively few pixels.  Because these detectors are so sensitive, it is difficult to pack a lot of them into a small area without them interfering with each other.  In addition, since these detectors need to be kept cold in a cryogenic refrigerator, only a handful of wires can be used to carry the signals from the camera to the warmer readout electronics.

To overcome these limitations, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the University of Colorado Boulder applied time-domain multiplexing technology to the interrogation of two-dimensional superconducting-nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) arrays. The individual SNSPD nanowires are arranged as intersecting rows and columns. When a photon arrives, the times it takes to trigger a row detector and a column detector are measured to ascertain which pixel sent the signal. This method allows the camera to efficiently encode its many rows and columns onto just a few readout wires instead of thousands of wires. 

SNSPDs are one type of detector in a collection of many such superconducting detector technologies, including microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKID), transition-edge sensors (TES), and quantum capacitance detectors (QCD).  SNSPDs are unique in that they are able to operate much warmer than the millikelvin temperatures required by those other technologies, and can have extremely good timing resolution, although they are not able to resolve the color of individual photons.  SNSPDs have been collaboratively researched by NIST, JPL, and others in the community for almost two decades, and this most recent work was only possible thanks to the advances generated by the wider superconducting detector community.

Once the team implemented this readout architecture, they found it immediately became straightforward to construct superconducting cameras with extremely large numbers of pixels. As described by technical lead Dr. Bakhrom Oripov, "The big advance here is that the detectors are truly independent, so if you want a camera with more pixels, you just add more detectors to the chip." The researchers note that while their recent project was a 400,000 pixel device, they also have an upcoming demonstration of a device with over a million pixels, and have not found an upper limit yet. 

One of the most exciting things that the researchers think their camera could be useful for is a search for Earth-like planets outside of our solar system. To detect these planets successfully, future space telescopes will observe distant stars and look for tiny portions of reflected or emitted light coming from orbiting planets. Detecting and analyzing these signals is extremely challenging and requires very long exposures, which means that every photon collected by the telescope is very valuable. A reliable, low-noise camera will be critical to detect these incredibly small quantities of light.

SNSPD cameras can also be used on Earth to detect optical communication signals from missions in deep space. In fact, NASA is currently demonstrating this capability via the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) project, which is the first demonstration of free-space optical communication from interplanetary space. DSOC is sending data from a spacecraft called Psyche—which was launched on October 13 and is on its way to the Psyche asteroid—to an SNSPD-based ground terminal at Palomar Observatory. Optical links can transmit data at a much higher rate than radio frequency links from interplanetary distances. The excellent timing resolution of the camera developed for the ground station receiving Psyche data allows it to decode optical data from the spacecraft, which enables much more data to be received in a given time than if radio signals were employed.

These sensors will also be useful for many applications on Earth. Because the operating wavelength of this camera is very flexible, it could be optimized for applications in biomedical imaging to detect faint signals from cells and molecules, which were previously not detectable. Dr. McCaughan noted, “We would love to get these cameras in the hands of neuroscientists. This technology could provide them with a new tool to study our brains, in a completely non-intrusive way.”

Finally, the rapidly growing field of quantum technology, which promises to change the way we secure communications and transactions as well as the way we simulate and optimize complex processes, also stands to gain from this exciting technology. A single photon can be used to transfer or compute a single bit of quantum information. Many companies and governments are currently trying to scale up quantum computers and communication links and access to a single-photon camera that is so easily scalable, could overcome one of the major hurdles to unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies.

According to the research team, the next steps will be to take this initial demonstration and optimize it for space applications.  "Right now, we have a proof-of-concept demonstration," says co-project lead Dr. Boris Korzh, "but we'll need to optimize it to show its full potential." The research team is currently planning ultra-high-efficiency camera demonstrations that will validate the utility of this new technology in both the ultraviolet and the infrared.

PROJECT LEADS

Dr. Adam McCaughan (NIST) and Dr. Boris Korzh (JPL)

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS

Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) Program, DARPA Invisible Headlight Program

Related Terms

• Astrophysics
• Exoplanet Science
• Science-enabling Technology
• Studying Exoplanets
• Technology Highlights
• The Universe

Explore More

Hubble Celebrates the 15th Anniversary of Servicing Mission 4

Hubble Glimpses a Star-Forming Factory

NASA Images Help Explain Eating Habits of Massive Black Hole

Data from NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope has given scientists new insights into why some supermassive black holes shine differently than others. In images from NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope, streams of dust thousands of light-years long flow toward the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Andromeda galaxy. It turns out these streams […]

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Research Opportunity Announcement: Integrating Clinical Research into Primary Care Settings through Network Research Hubs – A Pilot (OT2)

Research Opportunity Announcement Overview

Purpose and Scope

Phased Approach

Definitions

Eligibility

Application Responsiveness

Application Requirements

Objective Review

Special Award Terms

Research Opportunity Announcement Overview #announcementoverview

ROA Number: OTA-24-016

• ROA Posting: May 6, 2024
• Technical Webinar 1: 12pm EDT on May 14, 2024
• Technical Webinar 2: 12pm EDT on May 22, 2024
• Submission Deadline: Complete applications must be submitted under OTA-24-016 via NIH eRA Commons ASSIST no later than 5:00pm EDT on June 14, 2024. Late applications submitted to this ROA will not be accepted.

Brief Overview of the Research Opportunity: The purpose of this limited competition research opportunity announcement (ROA) is to invite applications by organizations currently affiliated with and participating in specific existing clinical research networks --to serve as “Network Research Hubs” and establish the infrastructure to conduct clinical research in primary care settings. This opportunity is limited to organizations that focus on serving rural communities and are part of or funded by: NIH Institutional Development Award Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) awards, the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, and/or the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s (PCORI) Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet).

Award Mechanism: This funding opportunity will use the Other Transactions Authority (OTA) governed by 42 U.S. Code § 282 (n)(1)(b) to issue Other Transaction (OT) awards. OT awards are not grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts and use an OTA, provided by law. Policies and terms for individual OTs may vary between awards. Each award is therefore issued with a specific agreement which is negotiated with the recipient, and which may be expanded, modified, partnered, not supported, or later discontinued based on program needs, changing research landscape, performance and or availability of funds.

Anticipated Awards and Budget: NIH anticipates 2-5 awards will be issued through this ROA in FY24. NIH intends to allocate a total of approximately $5M in FY24 and approximately $20M in FY25 to fund Network Research Hubs during the two-year pilot phase, contingent on programmatic objectives, performance and availability of funds. After the two-year pilot phase, individual awards may be terminated, extended, or curtailed based on programmatic objectives, performance, and availability of funds.

Contact Information: [email protected]    

Background #background

In recent years, the U.S. has experienced trending declines in health that are disproportionately occurring in medically underserved and disadvantaged populations. Many of these sectors are also often underrepresented in clinical research. When study demographics don’t match the demographics of those impacted by the illness or condition under investigation, the results may have limited generalizability, leading to evidence gaps and further compounding health disparities. A major barrier to participating in clinical research is lack of access to or availability of clinical studies. In addition, the majority of Americans have never talked to their doctor about participating in research. There is a critical need to extend research participation opportunities to communities often underrepresented in clinical research, and to integrate those opportunities into settings where people seek care.

Therefore, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is planning to establish a coordinated infrastructure that integrates innovative research into routine clinical care in primary care settings. Through this effort, NIH will:

• Pilot and implement infrastructure to support primary care-based clinical research in mission areas across all NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) spanning prevention and treatment and with a focus on health equity and whole person health;
• Establish a foundation for sustained engagement with communities underrepresented in clinical research (e.g., individuals who live in rural environments, racial and ethnic minority groups, older adults, persons experiencing challenging social determinants of health and related experiences);
• Implement innovative study designs that address common health issues, including disease prevention; and  
• Utilize a full range of clinical research designs as appropriate, including dissemination and implementation research, to inform clinical practice 

NIH envisions this infrastructure will facilitate and accelerate research advances for adoption and implementation into everyday clinical care, improving health outcomes, and advancing health equity for all Americans.

The infrastructure NIH will pilot and implement is anticipated to include the following components:

• Providing oversight of the studies/protocols and site and study selection 
• Providing statistical and data management support  
• Developing innovative clinical study designs and implementation strategies to minimize burden on participants and providers in primary care settings  
• Operations Center – conducting site feasibility assessments, site agreements/contracting, and coordination of study operations (protocol development; compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) regulatory and participant protection requirements; communications; training; auditing; quality assurance; and data monitoring)  
• Independent Review and Monitoring Boards - including Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), Observational Study Monitoring Board (OSMB), and the Central Institutional Review Board (IRB)  
• Network Research Hubs – leveraging existing research networks and partnerships with Clinical Sites to conduct clinical research in primary care settings   
• Community Engagement – providing support, advice, and resources, in part through partnerships with existing entities, to facilitate sustained participant and community engagement, community-driven research, and integration of studies in primary and community care settings 
• Industry Partnerships – engaging for-profit partners for collaborative knowledge sharing and potential participation in/use of the infrastructure

Purpose and Scope #purposeandscope

The purpose of this research opportunity announcement (ROA) is to invite applications by existing clinical research networks – as well organizations currently affiliated with and participating in specific existing clinical research networks – to serve as “Network Research Hubs” as part of a larger infrastructure (comprising the components described above) supporting research in primary care settings. These Network Research Hubs must be actively part of (i.e., active funding/award) one or more of the following: NIH Institutional Development Award Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) awards, the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, and/or the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s (PCORI) Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). The Network Research Hubs will serve to expand accrual efforts of select existing NIH-funded studies and develop and conduct new studies with a focus on engaging underrepresented populations, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, and enhancing study inclusivity. Bringing clinical research studies to individuals in their own communities, informed by those communities, and improving clinical research inclusivity will facilitate the generation of a more broadly applicable evidence base that contributes to improved patient outcomes and health equity for all Americans. 

Objectives #objectives

Network Research Hubs will be responsible for:

• Provide clinical research leadership and oversight for clinical studies at all sites supported by and/or partnering with the Network Research Hub, including Clinical Sites.  
• Participate in select existing studies/trials conducted by NIH-funded investigators. Identify and recruit primary care-providing organizations to serve as Clinical Sites for study accrual, supporting the particular needs of each site (e.g., assembling and/or mentoring local research team(s), training providers and clinical staff, assuring protocol adherence, ensuring adequacy of human subjects protections) in collaboration with the Operations Center.
• Accurately identify, screen, recruit and enroll eligible participants for clinical research studies, meeting or exceeding demographic representation and study inclusivity targets as agreed upon with the Scientific and Medical Director and/or the Scientific Committee.
• Implement strategies for culturally appropriate and inclusive study participation, including ensuring study interventions and measures are clinically meaningful and adapted for different populations, as appropriate.
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely collection and entry of high-quality data and biosamples into data management system and repositories as required by the protocol, Scientific Medical Director, and/or Scientific Committee.
• Track and report trial and performance data (e.g., recruitment, retention, adverse events) by site on a regular and frequent basis as required by the clinical studies, the Scientific and Medical Director, Scientific Committee, and/or data and safety monitoring plans.
• If successful with enhancing accrual of an existing NIH-funded study, develop new study ideas (interventional or observational) for consideration by the Scientific and Medical Director, Scientific Committee, and Operations Center that reflect the clinical needs and priorities of the applicant’s community base. These ideas for new studies will require external funding sources to cover study costs not supported by the components of the coordinated infrastructure.
• Respond to information requests for study feasibility assessments (e.g., accessible study population, enrollment estimates, resources available) during research planning and protocol development.
• Identify health disparities and care disparities and needs of the local population of clinical sites for research planning and prioritization.
• Participate in data analysis, development of results, and dissemination efforts as appropriate.
• Ensure that aggregate research results and/or final study findings are shared with study participants through effective communications.
• Work collaboratively with and through individuals and communities on a continuum of practices from outreach to shared decision making to build trust, foster meaningful bi-directional relationships, and identify and address the health needs and priorities of those individuals and communities. 
• Increase and sustain the involvement of research participants, patients, patient advocates, and community organizations as partners in research, including research planning and prioritization.
• Operationalize and sustain engagement from the onset of research activities and through various culturally appropriate approaches to create awareness, provide education, develop and perform targeted recruitment and enrollment activities, and mobilize knowledge of the benefits of the research.
• Leverage existing resources and expand community partnerships (e.g., safety-net health systems, other health systems, grassroots organizations, public health departments, community and faith-based organizations, schools or childcare settings, Tribal organizations and agencies) to increase access to clinical studies.
• Manage unintended consequences and/or breaks in community relationships.
• Evaluate engagement efforts for continuous improvement and sustainability.
• Share approaches and strategies for effective community engagement and build a community of practice.
• In coordination with the Scientific Committee and Scientific and Medical Director, apply and execute innovations across the landscape of clinical research to minimize burden of research on participants and clinical staff. Innovations may include activities such as: leveraging electronic health records for recruitment, randomization, and data collection; leveraging digital health technologies to reduce research burden and facilitate incorporation of diverse precision measurements into participant monitoring and clinical outcomes assessments; aligning clinical care and research workflows; implementing point-of-care trial, pragmatic, and decentralized approaches in study designs.
• Optimize study designs to increase research equity and accessibility in real world health care settings while maintaining scientific rigor.
• Through alignment of research and clinical workflows, facilitate clinical sites movement towards a learning healthcare system, accelerating the adoption and implementation of evidence into clinical practice.
• Accept and implement policies and procedures established and/or approved by the Scientific and Medical Director, Scientific Committee, Operations Director, and/or additional governance structures established as the infrastructure is further developed.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures by participating in Working Groups or Sub-Committees of the Scientific Committee and other governing bodies established as the infrastructure is further developed.
• Actively participate and cooperate with quality assurance, study oversight, and study monitoring efforts.
• Interact and collaborate with other federal and non-federal primary care and clinical research networks and entities (e.g., the NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL), Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHCs), the NIH Collaboratory, IDeA-CTRs, CTSAs, PCORnet), to leverage existing resources and partnerships, as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with all other components of the coordinated infrastructure.
• Participate in cross-site and cross-component/cross-effort meetings to foster relationship building and enhance partnerships. 
• Identify, track, and consolidate challenges and successes and share best/promising practices to integrating research in primary care settings for scalability and sustainability.

Phased Approach to Launching Studies and Building the Infrastructure #phasedapproach

NIH is planning to launch this effort as a two-year pilot. The first year of the pilot will involve selecting and funding Network Research Hubs through this ROA to support participation in select existing NIH-funded studies that are agreed upon between the applicant and NIH (in coordination with NIH-funded investigators as needed) during negotiations of a potential award. These initial studies may be interventional or observational and are expected to be reasonably suitable for primary care settings. It is expected that the select existing NIH-funded studies will have infrastructure to support operational aspects (e.g., central IRB, data management) for new sites, but resources available and needed will be negotiated prior to award.

If the Network Research Hub is successful in enhancing participant accrual into an existing study, they may potentially expand in year two with new research in coordination with the other components of the infrastructure. In order to leverage the coordinated research infrastructure described above, these new research concepts will require approval by the Scientific and Medical Director, and Operations Director and funding from external sources for all study aspects not covered by the coordinated infrastructure described above (e.g., specific interventions, additional clinical research staff). Before ramping up to an implementation phase in year three, NIH will conduct an evaluation of the program to assess which approaches and efforts are working. NIH may expand, pivot, and/or sunset awards and/or components based on the results.

Definitions #definitions

This announcement follows the definitions for Clinical Trial-Related Terms below in addition to those in the NIH glossary for clinical trial-related terms: https://grants.nih.gov/policy/clinical-trials/glossary-ct.htm.

Additional key terms are defined below:

Central Institutional Review Board (Central IRB) : A centralized approach to human subject protection through a process that streamlines IRB review of selected NIH-sponsored trials for institutions across the country by relying on national experts to ensure trials are reviewed efficiently and with the highest ethical and quality standards.

Clinical Research Network : Collaborative groups of researchers and/or clinicians and that come together in partnership with healthcare systems to identify important clinical questions and design clinical studies to answer them, with coordinated support to manage regulatory, financial, scientific, and/or operational aspects of the research.

Clinical Site : A primary care practice, community health center, hospital, or other health services institution where participants are identified, screened, recruited, and/or enrolled in research conducted by the Network Research Hub.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) : As defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), public and private non-profit health care organizations that meet certain criteria under the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. FQHCs include:

• Nonprofit entities that receive a grant, or funding from a grant, under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act to provide primary health services and other related services to a population that is medically underserved;
• FQHC “Look-Alikes” – nonprofit entities certified by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as meeting the requirements for receiving a grant under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act but are not grantees; and
• Outpatient health programs or facilities operated by a Tribe or Tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act or by an urban Indian organization receiving funds under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P) : As defined by HRSA, MUAs may be a whole county or a group of contiguous counties, a group of county or civil divisions or a group of urban census tracts in which residents have a shortage of personal health services; MUPs may include groups of persons who face economic, cultural or linguistic barriers to health care.

Milestones : Objective, measurable events that are indicative of project progress occurring as proposed in the application.

Network Research Hub : An institution/organization with an established organizational structure and scientific and statistical leadership for developing, implementing, and analyzing multi-institutional clinical studies/trials.

Other Transactions Authority (OTA) : A unique type of authority that allows an agency to enter into a legal agreement with a recipient organization that is not a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement (Learn more about OTAs on the NIH website) .

Partnership : An association of two or more individuals or entities with a commitment to an ongoing relationship to work toward common goals as established.

Primary Care: As defined by HRSA, the provision of integrated, accessible health services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.

Primary Care Setting : As defined by HRSA, a setting with integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. These don’t meet the criteria:

• Emergency departments
• Inpatient hospital settings
• Ambulatory surgical centers
• Independent diagnostic testing facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities

Research Opportunity Announcement (ROA) : Used to solicit applications for programs using Other Transactions Authority.

Rural: For the purposes of this ROA, rural areas are defined according to the Office of Management and Budget and Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) definitions, where primary Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes between 4 and 10 correspond to rural areas and primary RUCA codes 1-3 correspond to urban areas.

Rural Health Clinic: An entity certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. A rural health clinic provides outpatient services to a non-urban area with an insufficient number of health care practitioners.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) : As defined by the CDC, SDOH are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, and the wider set of forces and systems (e.g., economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, racism, climate change, and political systems) shaping the conditions of daily life.

Eligibility #eligibility

Eligible applicants are limited to organizations that are lead or funded partner organizations of one or more of the following clinical research networks: the NIH IDeA-CTRs, NIH CTSA, and/or PCORI PCORnet. For the purposes of this ROA, organizations with IDeA-CTR and CTSA awards or sub-awards in no-cost-extensions are eligible to apply. In addition, applicant organizations must be located in a state/jurisdiction where at least 25% of its census tracts are defined as rural using the Revised 2010 RUCA Codes.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Higher Education Institutions

• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

For-Profit Organizations

• Small Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)

Governments

• State Governments
• County Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• American Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• American Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/American Indian Housing Authorities
• Native American Tribal Organizations (Other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
• Regional Organizations

Application Responsiveness #responsiveness

Applications will undergo a responsiveness screening conducted by NIH program staff. Applications that are deemed nonresponsive will be withdrawn and will no longer be in consideration for funding. Examples of projects that will be considered unresponsive to this announcement include the following:

• Applications that do not meet the “Eligibility” requirements specified above.
• Applications from organizations that are not actively participating as lead or a funded partner in one or more of the following clinical research networks: IDeA-CTRs, CTSA, and/or PCORnet in the United States,
• Applications proposing partnerships only with Clinical Sites that do not meet the definition of primary care settings.
• Applications proposing support for routine patient care unrelated to human subjects research.
• Applications proposing animal or in vitro research.

Application Requirements #applicationrequirements

All application components should be uploaded in eRA Commons in searchable PDF format with a font size of 11 or 12 point and font type of Calibri, Aptos, Arial, or Times New Roman. Margins must be 1-inch wide (top, bottom, left, and right). The components of the application should be loaded as separate attachments and should be titled as specified in each section below (title included in parentheses following each section). Guidance for OT application submission can be found on the NIH website.

Cover ( “Cover.pdf”, 2 page maximum )

• Number and title of this Research Opportunity Announcement
• Application Title 
• Principal Investigator(s) (PI) first and last name, title, organization, mailing address, email address and phone number. If multiple PIs are named, the Contact PI is clearly identified. 
• Name and address of the partnering Clinical Sites with a contact for each (full name, email address)
• Recipient Business Official/Signing Official first and last name, title, organization, mailing address, email address and phone number 
• First and last name of other key personnel, their title, institutional affiliation, and email address

Abstract ( “Abstract.pdf”, no more than 250 words )

A brief summary of the application.

Specific Aims ( “Specific Aims.pdf”, 1 page maximum )

Provide a cogent overview, at a high level, of the capabilities and proposed plans to carry out the objectives of a Network Research Hub as part of a coordinated infrastructure supporting clinical research in primary care settings. Include how the work of the Network Research Hub will increase the accessibility of clinical research and improve health equity.

Project Plan ( “Project Plan.pdf”, 16 pages maximum )

Applications must include a Project Plan that clearly and fully demonstrates the applicant’s capabilities, understanding, and experience to accomplish the objectives of the Network Research Hubs.

Technical Approach ( 6 pages maximum )

Section A: Overview and Organization

• Outline the overall organization of the Network Research Hub and partnering Clinical Sites, and briefly describe the collective strengths of the team. Include how the Network Research Hub is actively participating in and/ or affiliated with one of the following clinical research networks: NIH IDeA-CTRs, NIH CTSA, PCORI’s PCORnet. 
• Provide a diagram (and/or map) showing the geographical relationships between all entities included in the application. The rural participant catchment area is not limited to the applicant organization’s state. 
• List the underrepresented populations that could be served by the Network Research Hub. Define the community or communities the Network Research Hub will serve.
• Describe plans to collaborate with NIH-funded investigators, other Network Research Hubs, and the other components of the coordinated infrastructure. Share how the Network Research Hub plans to contribute to the development of policies and procedures and abide by them as they are established.

Subsection B. Developing and Implementing Studies and Use of Innovative Designs

• Identify areas of research that the Network Research Hub would like to pursue if successful with implementing expansion of an initial, existing NIH-funded study. Include a description of the criteria to be used and process by which studies will be identified that are priorities of and/or co-developed by their community.
• Explain how the Network Research Hub’s research interests and/or proposed research agenda will improve scientific knowledge, develop a more broadly applicable clinical evidence base, and improve clinical practice.
• Describe innovative/novel solutions to address challenges with integrating research into primary care settings and to minimize the burden of research on participants and clinical staff. Share the team’s expertise and experience with operationalizing these solutions. 
• Briefly describe processes the applicant will use to ensure compliance with regulations for research involving human subjects, and that study teams obtain and maintain sufficient proficiency level regarding the conduct of clinical research in coordination with the Operations Center.

Subsection C. Participant and Community Engagement

• Illustrate the team’s expertise in implementing related plans through recent examples and experiences.
• Clearly describe how the Network Research Hub will solicit and understand the challenges and health needs of their community.
• Highlight flexibilities in study designs, features, and engagement plans that can be adapted to meet the needs of a variety of participant groups and community partners, including those that are underrepresented in research.
• Describe how the Network Research Hub will contribute to the development of a community of practice in community engagement.

Primary Care Research Experience (6 pages maximum)

• Study title, type/design, research question(s) addressed, and target and actual total enrollment over time
• Partnerships with organizations providing care in primary care settings.
• Total enrollment by site
• Demographic breakdown of enrolled participants by race/ethnicity, sex, age, rural vs non-rural, and at least one other measure of social determinants of health (SDOH)
• How the data and/or results were shared and disseminated (including if shared with research participants)
• List additional previous relationships and/or partnerships with the proposed Clinical Sites to provide evidence supporting the likelihood of successful collaborations on future research.

Environment and Resources (3 pages maximum) 

List and describe the salient features of the facilities and other resources available for use by the proposed Network Research Hub. 

• Describe the resources available to facilitate carrying out the objectives of a Network Research Hub.
• Characterize the proposed Clinical Sites: describe the collective catchment area of the potential research participants through geographic boundaries, quantify the proportion of the catchment area as being rural vs urban in alignment with primary RUCA codes between 1-3 as defining urban areas and 4-10 as defining rural areas, and share any unique features to facilitate accrual of populations underrepresented in research.

Leadership Plan (1 pages maximum)

A brief leadership plan should be presented which identifies and describes the governance of the Research and Clinical Sites, chain of responsibility for decision making, and process for conflict resolution. The plan should describe how the leadership will contribute to the success of and collaboration within the infrastructure and the implementation of clinical studies with a focus on underrepresented populations. A succession plan with identification of a substitute/back-up lead investigator candidate should be included, if possible, to assure programmatic continuity.

Budget ( “Budget.pdf”, no page limitations )

The Budget must demonstrate estimated baseline costs of adding a select and limited number of primary care Clinical Sites to existing studies conducting clinical research in primary care settings, where the operational aspects of the study are supported by other NIH awards. Budgets are expected to be negotiated as the initial study is selected in coordination with NIH before an award is issued. Cost sharing is allowable.

Applicants shall assume a budget period of 12 months initially, and an additional 12-month option period during the 2-year pilot of this infrastructure for research in primary care settings. Funding for core support will be reimbursable, but costs per participant is expected to be funded based on study accrual milestones. Towards the end of the initial budget period, NIH will conduct an evaluation of the program to assess which approaches and efforts are working; NIH may continue, expand, pivot, and/or sunset awards and/or award components based on the results, infrastructure needs and/or congressional appropriations.

Study budgets should include funds for the community partners to be fully engaged and successfully participate in research prioritization, design and implementation.

Provide the overall expected cost for expanding research enrollment in primary care settings including but not limited to each of the following categories: 

• Personnel 
• Equipment 
• Travel 
• Subawards/subcontracts/consultants 
• Other direct costs 
• Total cost (with indirect costs included) 
• Proposed Cost Share contribution (if applicable)

Applicants must provide a budget justification for all budget items. Subrecipients/subaward budgets must include a breakdown of costs and a budget justification. Applicants should provide one budget and budget justification per institution or organization in the application.

Additional information to include in the submission

List of Key Personnel (“Key Personnel.pdf”, 1 page maximum)

Provide a list of key personnel that will significantly contribute to the objectives of the Network Research Hub. Provide their first name, last name, title, institutional affiliation, and email address.

Biosketches of Key Personnel (“Biosketch.pdf”, 3 page maximum per individual)

Provide a biosketch of each named key individual appearing in the Key Personnel List. The information in the biosketch should include the name and position title, education/training (including institution, degree, date (or expected date) of degree, and field; list of positions and employment in chronological order (including dates); list of relevant publications, proposed level of effort and a personal statement that briefly describes the individual’s role in the project and why they are well-suited for this role. Providing successful examples from past work on similar infrastructure building projects as appropriate to illustrate the relevant experience is desired. The format used for an NIH grant application is acceptable: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm .  

Letters of Interest/Support (1 page maximum per institution or organization)

A letter from the applicant's current affiliated clinical research network(s) (e.g., the director of the network coordinating center, administrative core, other authorized representative) should provide assurance that the proposed Network Research Hub is active and in good standing with the affiliated clinical research network. In addition, letters of interest and support should be provided from an authorized official from each of the proposed Clinical Sites and should include references to or direct evidence of prior research partnership or relationship with the Network Research Hub.

Appendix of Data Characterizing the Research and Clinical Sites’ Catchment Area (no page limit)

Data used to characterize the catchment area as rural or non-rural may be included to verify the catchment area descriptions in the Project Plan.

Objective Review #objectivereview

The intent of the objective review is to evaluate the strengths and the weaknesses of the proposed Network Research Hub and how well they would meet the objectives of a Network Research Hub. Applications will not be evaluated against each other during the review process but rather on their own individual merit.

Objective review will involve the submission of written critiques by subject matter experts documenting the strengths and weaknesses of responsive applications against the Review Criteria described below and interactive individual discussions between those experts and NIH program staff. The subject matter experts will include NIH staff and/or other federal staff.

Applications may be triaged for review based on the proposed catchment area of potential research participants, with applications with catchment areas characterized by >50% of the population being from rural areas, as defined by primary RUCA codes between 4-10 , receiving priority for review.

NIH will NOT provide feedback on applications, except as a part of follow-up on an as-needed basis as time permits. NIH will not accept an appeal of the objective review or funding decision outcomes.

Review Criteria:

Potential Contribution to the Coordinated Infrastructure for Supporting Research in Primary Care Settings

The approach of proposed Research Site has a high likelihood of meeting the objectives of a Network Research Hub. The applicant has described adequate plans for collaboration with other components of the coordinated infrastructure. The proposed activities involve engagement following a comprehensive framework, facilitating early and sustained engagement with a diverse group of individuals and communities, especially those that are underrepresented in research. Plans to engage the community they serve will successfully support a community-driven research agenda. Leadership plans, support from existing clinical research networks, and support from Clinical Site partners demonstrate a high commitment to the success of the proposed Network Research Hub.

Capabilities and Experience

The applicant has a demonstrated track record of successfully implementing research in primary care settings in the recent past. Prior experience showcases the ability to access and partner with underrepresented individuals in clinical research. Evidence of prior partnerships or relationships with proposed Clinical Sites has been provided. Key personnel have sufficient and relevant expertise to support the activities of the Network Research Hub.

Resources and Environment

The Network Research Hub is currently participating in and affiliated with one or more clinical research networks (NIH IDeA-CTRs, NIH CTSA, and/or PCORI PCORnet), that will increase site readiness to rapidly launch as a new site for existing NIH-funded studies. The catchment area of the Network Research Hub and its Clinical Sites will provide a high likelihood of facilitating engagement and study accrual of populations underrepresented in research (with a priority on individuals in rural communities).

Award Negotiation and Selection Information

Based on the identified strengths and weaknesses, NIH will determine whether an application will be selected for negotiation and/or award. NIH may select up to six viable applications to move forward in negotiations for a potential award, based on the objective review. Negotiations will involve identification of the initial study already funded by NIH to which the Network Research Hub will serve as an additional enrollment site. Coordination with the NIH-funded investigators and/or NIH program staff overseeing those studies will be required in order to understand the needs and existing support for the studies and to develop a final budget and milestone plan for the Network Research Hub. Final award selection will involve assessment of applications with successful negotiations and review and approval by NIH leadership and development of objective milestones as agreed upon by NIH and the applicant.

The level of funding for any award(s) made will depend on the negotiated studies and milestones and availability of funds.

Special Award Terms #Special Award Terms  

The complete terms and conditions of each OT award issued under this ROA are subject to negotiation and will be contained in the Agreement entered between NIH and award recipient. This Special Award Terms section is provided for informational purposes only in order to provide prospective applicants with an understanding of key expectations and terms that may differ from traditional NIH award mechanisms. All terms and conditions of award will flow down to any partners (e.g., subrecipients, collaborators) participating in the OT award.  

Lower Tier Agreements  

Award recipients will be expected to issue sub-awards to entities identified in their applications and approved by NIH under this ROA. Any changes to sub-awards must be in consultation with NIH prior to adding or removing partners.

Milestone-Based Workplan 

A milestone-based workplan will be requested and negotiated prior to award for inclusion in the OT Agreement. The workplan should include a description of operational milestones, completion criteria, and expected start and completion dates.

Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility in the Research Community

Award recipients will be encouraged to diversify their staff populations to facilitate engagement with diverse research partners and to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as those defined in Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity ( https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html ).

Program Governance   The Network Research Hubs will be part of a program consisting of a coordinated infrastructure involving the following governance and components:   

• establishing the vision, mission, strategic objectives, and goals of the coordinated infrastructure to be carried out by a Scientific and Medical Director (SMD) and Operations Director.
• ensuring the supported work appropriately and equitably supports and prioritizes the needs of all NIH ICs. 
• monitoring and evaluating the progress of the infrastructure, its efficiency and effectiveness, and that its outputs align with the vision and mission.
• providing oversight of the studies/protocols and site and study selection, 
• managing/coordinating the Central Institutional Review Board (IRB), 
• providing statistical and data management support, 
• collaborating with sites to develop innovations on clinical study design and implementation to minimize burden on participants and providers in primary care settings, 
• facilitating sustained engagement with key partners through a community advisory board, and
• other functions as the governance and structure of the Clinical Science Center is further developed.
• conducting site feasibility assessments
• facilitating Clinical Site agreements/contracting,
• coordination of study operations (protocol development; compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) regulatory and participant protection requirements,
• quality assurance, and 
• data monitoring.

OT Agreement Governance 

Other Transactions (OT) are a special type of legal instrument other than contracts, grants or cooperative agreements. Generally, these awarding instruments are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR ), nor to grant regulations unless otherwise noted for certain provisions in the terms and conditions of award. They are, however, subject to the OT authorities that govern the initiative and/or programs as well as applicable legislative mandates. NIH and its components, including the Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC), have been authorized by Congress to use them. They provide considerable flexibility to the government to establish policies for the awards, so the policies and terms for individual OT awards may vary between awards. Each award is therefore issued with a specific Agreement, which is negotiated with the recipient and details terms and conditions for that specific award. Program and administrative policies and the terms and conditions of individual awards are intended to supplement, rather than substitute for, governing statutory and regulatory requirements. Awards or a specified subset of awards also may be subject to additional requirements, such as those included in executive orders and appropriations acts (including the other transaction legislation cited in the Agreement), as well as all terms and conditions cited in the Agreement and its attachments, conditions on activities and expenditure of funds in other statutory or regulatory requirements, including any revisions in effect as of the beginning date of the next funding segment. The terms and conditions of the resulting OT awards are intended to be compliant with governing statutes.

For the awards funded under this ROA, NIH will engage in negotiations and all agreed upon terms and conditions will be incorporated into the Agreement. Either a bilateral agreement or a Notice of Award (NoA) will be used as the official Agreement. The signature of the Signing Official in the application certifies that the organization complies, or intends to comply, with all applicable terms and conditions, policies, certifications, and assurances referenced (and, in some cases, included) in the application instructions.

Award Administration Roles and Responsibilities

Other Transactions Agreements Officer (OTAO) 

• is responsible for legally committing funds on behalf of the Federal government and that OT actions taken are in the best interest of the government
• administers, manages, and closes out awards
• oversees the management of award records
• receives and acts on requests for NIH approval; the only NIH official authorized to change the funding, duration, or other terms and conditions of award

Other Transactions Agreements Specialist (OTAS) 

• serves as the first line contact for OT correspondence with applicants/recipients for administrative and financial aspects of the award

Other Transactions Program Official (OTPO) 

• provides the day-to-day programmatic oversight of individual awards 
• seeks guidance and advice as appropriate from subject matter experts for various disease areas and/or clinical trial oversight (e.g., medical monitoring)
• documents programmatic decisions related to an OT
• upholds government regulations on the appropriate use of federal funds
• conducts timely review of reports, inspection of deliverables, and other mechanisms to monitor and evaluate performance of the OT recipients
• serves on the OT Team, which includes developing ROAs and contributing to the development of OT award terms and conditions
• maintains certifications to serve as OTPO
• coordinates with other NIH Program Officers when partnering on other NIH-funded projects

Subject Matter Experts

• assist the OTPO in scientific and technical discussions with awardees
• review reports and discuss progress towards milestones and deliverables
• provide recommendations to the OTPO based on progress reviews
• attend face-to-face awardee meetings, as necessary
• attend site visits, as necessary

The terms and conditions of each award will address this criterion as appropriate based upon the final negotiated terms and agreed upon budget.

Human Subjects Research

All applications for work that will involve engagement in Human Subjects Research (as defined in 45 CFR § 46)( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46 ) must provide documentation of one or more current Assurance of Compliance with federal regulations for human subject protection, including at least a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP), Federal Wide Assurance ( https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/index.html ). All research involving Human Subjects must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), as applicable under 45 CFR § 46 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitleA/subchapter-A/part-46 ) and/or 21 CFR § 56 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-56 ).

The entity’s Human Subjects Research protocol must include a detailed description of the research plan, study population, risks and benefits of study participation, recruitment and consent process, data collection, and data analysis. Award recipients must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies for NIH-funded work. This includes, but is not limited to, laws, regulations, and policies regarding the conduct of Human Subjects research, such as the U.S. federal regulations protecting human subjects in research (e.g., 45 CFR § 46, 21 CFR § 50, § 56, § 312, § 812) and any other equivalent requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.

The informed consent document utilized in human subject research funded by NIH must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to U.S. federal regulations protecting human subjects in research (45 CFR§ 46 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46 ) and, as applicable, 21 CFR § 50 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-50 ). The protocol package submitted to the IRB must contain evidence of completion of appropriate Human Subject Research training by all investigators and key personnel who will be involved in the design or conduct of NIH funded human subject research. Funding cannot be used toward human subject research until all approvals are granted.

Intellectual Property

Specific terms with respect to intellectual property will be negotiated at the time of award; however, any negotiation will consider other laws (as relevant) that affect the government’s issue and handling of intellectual property, such as the Bayh-Dole Act (35.U.S.C. 200-212); the Trade Secrets Act (18U.S.C. 1905) the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); 10 U.S.C. 130; 28 U.S.C. 1498; 35 U.S.C. 205 and 207-209; and the Lanham Act, partially codified at 15 U.S.C.1114 and 1122.

Payment  

The OT award will use the Payment Management System (PMS) operated by the DHHS Program Support Center. Payments by PMS are made on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Agreement.

Management Systems and Procedures 

Recipient organizations are expected to have systems, policies, and procedures in place by which they manage funds and activities. Recipients may use their existing systems to manage OT award funds and activities as long as they are consistently applied regardless of the source of funds and across their business functions. To ensure that an organization is committed to compliance, recipient organizations are expected to have in use clearly delineated roles and responsibilities for their organization’s staff, both programmatic and administrative; written policies and procedures; training; management controls and other internal controls; performance assessment; administrative simplifications; and information sharing.

Financial Management System Standards 

Recipients must have in place accounting and internal control systems that provide for appropriate monitoring of other transaction accounts to ensure that obligations and expenditures are congruent with programmatic needs and are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. A list of unallowable costs will be included in the terms and conditions of the award. In addition, the systems must be able to identify unobligated balances, accelerated expenditures, inappropriate cost transfers, and other inappropriate obligation and expenditure of funds, and recipients must notify NIH when problems are identified. A recipient’s failure to establish adequate control systems constitutes a material violation of the terms of the award.

Property Management System Standards 

Recipients may use their own property management policies and procedures for property purchased, constructed, or fabricated as a direct cost using NIH OT award funds. The terms and conditions of award will address this criterion as appropriate based upon the final negotiated and agreed upon budget. Procurement System Standards and Requirements Recipients may acquire a variety of goods or services in connection with an OT award-supported project, ranging from those that are routinely purchased goods or services to those that involve substantive programmatic work. Recipients must acquire goods and services under OT awards in compliance with the organizations established policies and procedures. The terms and conditions of each award will address this criterion as appropriate based on the final negotiated and agreed upon budget.

Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCIs)  

Applicants are required to identify and disclose all facts relevant to potential OCIs involving subrecipients, consultants, etc. Under this section, the proposer is responsible for providing this disclosure with each Detailed Plan. The disclosure must include the PI/Collaborators’, and as applicable, proposed members’ OCI mitigation plan. The OCI mitigation plan must include a description of the actions the proposer has taken, or intends to take, to prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias the proposer’s judgment and to prevent the proposer from having an unfair competitive advantage. The government will evaluate OCI mitigation plans to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate potential OCI issues before award issuance and to determine whether it is in the government’s interest to grant a waiver.

The government will only evaluate OCI mitigation plans for proposals that are determined selectable. The government may require applicants to provide additional information to assist the government in evaluating the proposer’s OCI mitigation plan. If the government determines that a proposer failed to fully disclose an OCI or failed to reasonably provide additional information requested by the government to assist in evaluating the proposer’s OCI mitigation plan, the government may reject the Detailed Plan and withdraw it from consideration for award.

Monitoring 

Recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of OT award-supported activities using their established controls and policies. However, to fulfill their role in regard to the stewardship of federal funds, the program team will monitor their OT awards to identify potential problems and areas where technical assistance might be necessary. This active monitoring is accomplished through review of reports and correspondence, audit reports, site visits and other information, which may be requested of the recipient. The names and contact information of the individuals responsible for monitoring the programmatic and business management aspects of awards will be provided to the recipient at the time of award.

Monitoring of a project or activity will continue for as long as NIH retains a financial interest in the project or activity as a result of property accountability, audit, and other requirements that may continue for a period of time after the OT award is administratively closed out and NIH is no longer providing active OT award support.

Audit 

NIH OT recipients for the Program are subject to the audit requirements of OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F- Audit Requirements, as implemented by DHHS 45 CFR Subpart F. In general, 45 CFR 75, Subpart F-Audit Requirements requires a state government, local government, or non-profit organization (including institutions of higher education).  

For-profit organizations have two options regarding the type of audit that will satisfy the audit requirements. The recipient either may have (1) a financial-related audit (as defined in, and in accordance with, the Government Auditing Standards (commonly known as the “Yellow Book”), GPO stock 020-000-00-265-4, of a particular award in accordance with Government Auditing Standards, in those cases where the recipient receives awards under only one DHHS program, or (2) an audit that meets the requirements of 45 CFR 75, Subpart F-Audit Requirements.

This page last reviewed on May 6, 2024