NIH Tightens Rules on AI in Grant Applications
September 2025 marks a turning point for researchers using AI in funding applications. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released new guidance aimed at protecting the fairness and originality of its research funding process. This policy goes into effect for applications submitted on or after September 25, 2025—and it carries major implications for anyone
How to Choose the Right AI Tools
AI tools for medical writing and editing are everywhere. From headline generators to research assistants to formatting helpers, freelancers and small med comms agencies are testing new options weekly. But here’s the problem: Many consumer-grade AI tools and free platforms lack the safeguards needed for regulated, client-facing work in medical communication.
Logging AI Use: A Freelancer’s Guide
Why documentation isn’t optional—and how to do it without breaking your workflow Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way freelancers work—but if you’re not tracking your AI use, you’re leaving yourself (and your clients) exposed. Whether you’re using AI to summarize clinical literature, generate outlines, or polish drafts, your credibility depends on your ability
Freelancer’s Guide to AI Glossary
Welcome to the Freelancer’s Guide to AI Glossary—your evolving reference for key terms in AI and tech-enabled workflows. Whether you’re navigating client requirements, exploring secure AI use, or building credibility in a fast-changing landscape, this glossary breaks down complex terms into plain language with practical examples. This glossary is designed to grow alongside our content,
The Enormous Carbon Footprint of AI
AI sits squarely in the climate gap. Will the unrestricted pursuit of AI in health care exacerbate health inequities? Although artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popular culture with the roll out of new generative AI tools for consumers (eg, chatbots, image and voice generation), AI’s role in health care has emerged in a more
Has AI Changed Your Proposal’s Audience?
[This piece originally appeared in our sister blog, Strategic Grantsmanship, on August 21, 2023.] The first rule of writing? “Write to your audience!” For scientific and medical grant proposals, that audience comprises our human scientist and stakeholder peers. Or does it?
6 Easy Inexpensive Ways Freelancers Can Improve Cybersecurity
Today, on a discussion board for freelance medical communications specialists, a colleague asked (and I paraphrase here), How do you handle cybersecurity? They specified backing up data and using encryption, 2FA, and (either) a password-protected router or VPN. They are off to a great start, and I really enjoyed responding to their query–so I thought
Freelancers Guide to Cybersecurity–Medical Writer’s Edition
As I ramp up for season 2 of the “Freelancer’s Guide to Cybersecurity” podcast, I’ve been busy with other things too! Mostly work, of course, but also speaking events about cybersecurity and medical writing/editing. I haven’t been good about posting those events, so in a new commitment to posting upcoming events, I’m posting the next
How to Protect Sensitive Files: A Guide to Passwords & Encryption
Do you work with sensitive client data? Have you signed an NDA requiring you to secure clients’ information? Here’s how to properly secure your computer and safeguard the intellectual property entrusted to you.
Using Firefox Containers to Maximize Privacy
Using one set of devices for work and personal business is a common practice among freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs, and it puts your privacy at high risk. Here’s an easy way to safeguard your privacy.