diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7fab1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# Contributing to MY_NEW_PROJECT
+
+Complete the following for your project...
+
+* Steps for creating good issues or pull requests.
+* Links to external documentation, mailing lists, or a code of conduct.
+* Community and behavioral expectations.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e31b7f9..3985845 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ Overview
 --------
 
     project
-    |- README          # the top level description of content
-    |
+    |- README          # the top level description of content (this doc)
+    |- CONTRIBUTING    # instructions for how to contribute to your project
+	|
     |- doc/            # documentation for the study
     |  |- notebook/    # preliminary analyses (dead branches of analysis)
     |  +- paper/       # manuscript(s), whether generated or not