Writing grant applications: A practical guide for the novice researcher.

Background: Grants are a vital element in clinical research activities and research careers, unlocking opportunities to delve into an area and make new discoveries. However, securing a grant can be a daunting task.

Objective: In this article, the authors provide guidance for novice researchers regarding the grant application process. The article is aimed especially at clinicians with an interest in research, acknowledging the current need for more clinician researchers.

Discussion: The authors encourage those writing grant applications to view their task as that of a narrator. This will help identify several key questions: What is the topic? Why is it important? How will you examine it? Who will work with you? When and where will you do the research? Then what will you do? How much will it cost? The authors encourage applicants to create a diverse, complementary team to support them and to be mindful of the resource constraints.