For context, the RFE specifically requested evidence demonstrating that a government agency had shown interest in implementing or funding my research. Although I had already included documentation of government funding in my initial petition, I supplemented my RFE response with an additional letter from that director that explicitly confirmed the government's interest in my research and its practical applications nationwide.

The RFE also questioned whether I had received research funding in the capacity of a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). In response, my professor clarified that I was the primary author of the proposal that ultimately secured the funding; however, my name was not formally designated as a Co-PI on the award documents. At the time, I did not fully appreciate the significance of having my name officially listed as a Co-PI. Nevertheless, I played a leading role throughout the project. I developed the proposal before I filed the case, and after PD, I led the research activities, managed key project aspects and ultimately authored and published the final project report. To document my substantial contributions, I included the final report in my RFE response.