The book starts with a discussion of the earliest ideas and formulations of a project, then examines the issue of authorship, different granting agency formats, and ways to ensure a strong scientific foundation for a proposal. The book offers advice on selecting a strong title, developing an effective summary, articulating objectives and hypotheses, writing a good introduction, choosing experimental designs and methods, planning for expected and unexpected results, and the ethics of research. Guidance on the final phases of a proposal is also provided -- how to list references, track the progress of the proposal, revise, and resubmit. For any scientist embarking on a thesis or grant application, this book will prove an essential companion.