SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2012
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Category: Communications

Case Study: Recovery Act Support

Project Title: Recovery Act Support

Client: NIH Office of Extramural Research

Project Duration: July 2009 – October 2009

Ripple Effect Contact: Jennifer Pohlhaus, jpohlhaus@rippleeffect.com

Challenge

The NIH Office of Extramural Research needed to communicate a reporting requirement to institutions awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.

Institutions had to submit approximately 50 data elements about each award, and these elements included award amounts, funds expended, project descriptions, estimated number of jobs created, and completion status. While the federal government created a new data entry system and provided general resources, the NIH was responsible for sharing these resources and providing additional agency-specific guidance and materials to grantees.

Solution

Ripple Effect developed a communications plan that included:

  1. Serial and targeted e-mails to institutions
  2. Internal communications to NIH staff
  3. Newsletter articles
  4. A new website with links to:
  • A general guidance
  • NIH-specific resources
  • Policy notices
  • Frequently asked questions and answers
  • Sample reports

Achievements

Almost a 100% reporting rate.

18 February 2011 Written by Amy Bielski 0 Comments

Case Study: NIH Loan Repayment Programs

Project Title: NIH Loan Repayment Programs – Communications Support

NIH Loan Repayment FlyerClient: NIH Loan Repayment Programs, http://www.lrp.nih.gov

Project Duration: December 2009 – April 2010

Ripple Effect Contact: Monika Ellis, mellis@rippleeffect.com

Challenge

The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) encourage promising researchers and scientists to pursue research careers by repaying qualified student loan debt–up to $35,000 per year. The programs needed imagery and collateral materials that would instantly convey their benefits.

Solution

We started with a design for the programs’ flyer–an informational piece that introduces potential applicants to the programs. To highlight the programs main benefit, we developed the image of the woman using scissors to cut her educational debt. The imagery clearly illustrates that researchers may slice their educational debt in half by doing nonprofit research and applying to this program. Since completing the flyer, we have also used the imagery on LRP exhibits and social networking profiles.

Achievements

  • Incorporates easy-to-understand imagery
  • Highlights programs’ primary benefit
  • Works in various media including print and electronic
  • Allows program materials to standout in high-traffic environments
  • Received Silver NIH Plain Language/Clear Communication Award
19 January 2011 Written by Monika Ellis 0 Comments

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