What substantial merit and national importance actually mean

This is where people either overreach or undersell. Substantial merit can be in business, science, technology, health, education, and more, it does not have to be scientific research. National importance looks at the broader impact of the endeavor, not just your employer or your city. A common mistake is describing your job duties instead of the endeavor and its ripple effects. Framing a local role in terms of its national implications is the craft here. How are you framing yours?