Hi Erica,
I think I understand the source of your confusion, and can offer a partial workaround.
Although on a Template the User Interface allows you to enter values on custom data, my understanding is that such entries do not then transfer as defaults to the Projects that are then created using those Templates ‚Äî only the Parameter level defaults (eg on a dropdown) then “kick in”.
What you could do instead is create a sample Project with those defaults filled in and then copy that sample (rather than using a Template); but you’d likely have to adjust some dates, and would lose the connection to and other advantages of using a Template.
Neither is perfect, but I would be interested to know which path seems least rocky for you, once you decide.
Regards,
Doug