Idea to application: You are in charge

The grant writing process can be daunting to a novice investigator. This ar ticle focuses on three inter-related activities that lead to a completed gr ant application. The first activity involves developing the research team. Selection of colleagues who will strengthen and support the research ideas is an early first step to developing a competitive grant application. It is important to communicate clearly the roles and responsibilities of each te am member. The second activity is development of the scientific plan-the re search proposal-from specific aims to plans for data analysis. Strategies u sed to review the literature, synthesize existing knowledge, develop the ar gument for the research proposal, and select the most appropriate method ar e discussed. The third activity involves developing a business plan-the bud get-that demonstrates clearly the investigator's ability to complete the pr oposed research. These three activities are set within a timeline to guide investigators in successful completion of a grant application.