Authors: DataLoch Public Reference Group, last updated - 19/05/2026
Lay Summaries and Public Benefit Statements are valuable parts of DataLoch applications. They present an informative overview of the key purposes and potential real-world impacts for first-time readers and non-specialists. As well as being essential for the Projects Delivered section on the DataLoch website, these sections are vital for proposal reviewers, ultimately influencing the chances of an application being successful.
Therefore, applicants have to present summaries that are genuinely meaningful to those who are reading their proposals for the first time. To support this goal, DataLoch’s Public Reference Group offers the following advice to applicants based on their reviewing experiences.
1. Start by summarising your project
Something that often seems overlooked: the Lay Summary needs to capture the key aspects of the intended project that a member of the public would need to know. A brief statement of the possible public benefit should be within the Lay Summary.
For most applications, it’s probably best to draft the Lay Summary after the rest of the document has been completed.
2. What, How, and Why?
Consider these fundamental questions and you will cover everything that is required: What will you do in the project? How will this happen? and arguably most important Why is your research important (and for whom)?.
Be precise: don’t leave anything open to interpretation.
3. Use clear language
You should aim for a Flesch reading ease score of about 60 or above. (You can use The First Word tool to check your summary.) If your score is too low, then shorten your sentences!
If jargon or acronyms really cannot be avoided, then use them sparingly, use the full name at first, and/or briefly explain their meanings, otherwise the message becomes difficult to follow.
The Lay Summary and Public Benefit Statement will be taken from the application form and published separately to aid transparency. It is therefore important to explain jargon and acronyms within these sections even if explained elsewhere in the application.
4. Writing voice
Write in the active voice, rather than passive, and therefore include “I”, “We”, or “You” as appropriate. For example, instead of saying “Data will be analysed to understand…” say “We will analyse the data to understand…”
However, you should also state which organisations are involved somewhere in the summaries – “Researchers from the University of X…” – otherwise the “we” becomes meaningless.
5. Public or patient involvement
Part of our review process is an assessment of public value. Highlighting how patients or the public have already informed your proposal or broader research is vitally important.
6. Critical friends
If possible, ask someone beyond research and innovation to have a read through your draft. Can they provide a top-level explanation of what you are doing from just the Lay Summary and Public Benefit Statement?
Writing for non-specialists is a challenging task, but one that is made easier by considering the above advice. We in the Public Reference Group look forward to reading your proposals and supporting excellent research that will make a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of the region.
