What are impact statements?

Impact statements are designed to report the results of our research in a distilled, understandable way for the benefit of:

  • Media outlets
  • Reporting agencies
  • Community members
  • University administration
  • Stakeholder groups
  • Funding agencies

Impact statements:

  • Keeps us accountable to funders and allows the public to see the important work done by land grant institutions.
  • Helps show progress and ROI over time to improve future funding.

The Land Grant Impacts database includes recaps of the tangible results of research and outreach projects across the land grant university system. You can find the database and view impact statements from other LGUs at landgrantimpacts.org. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to enter the database.)

The most important characteristic of impact statements is readability. Statements should be limited to no more than 2 pages and should be in language that a non-scientist should be able to understand.

Impact Statement Categories

Impact statements are classified into six topical categories. Identify the one your project fits into the best: (1) food security, (2) nutrition and health, (3) environmental stewardship, (4) agricultural systems, (5) youth, family and communities or (6) energy and bioproducts. 

Step-by-step: Writing an Impact Statement

1. Relevance:

What is the issue or question your project seeks to address?

2. Response:

How did your project respond to that issue or question? What was your approach?

3. Results:

What were the direct outcomes of your project? This could include a small amount of data, but it should be readable and understandable. Limit to only the most critical of data.

4. Impact:

How can the results from step 3 be applied? How could this new knowledge be applied or how might a member of the public change their behavior as a result of this knowledge? 

5. Public value statement:

Finish with a paragraph outlining why this work matters. What is the importance of your specific project beyond your individual lab or research group? Expand to aspirational impacts if necessary. 

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Tips for Translating Complex Research Topics

  • Keep it short: the whole thing should fit on one page (two at most)
  • Distill: highlight only the most important elements. Methods, theory and background aren't necessary.
    • Break down layers of meaning by asking “why”
      • Why are you studying (topic)?
      • How did you identify the knowledge gap you're seeking to fill?
      • Why are you using the processes/approach you are?
      • If you dig deeply enough, a simple answer will emerge: to improve human health, to increase crop yield, to protect against pests, to save producers money, etc.

What do I do with my impact statement once it's done?

  1. Send it to communications director Reagan Cotton for an edit (optional)
  2. Send it to Emily Williams or the COA dean's office for upload to the Land Grant Impacts Database
  3. Plug it into Faculty Success/Activity Insight under "Engagement Results"

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Direct any questions to Reagan Cotton at reagan.cotton@montana.edu.