A curbstone consult to applicants for National Institute of Mental Health grant support.

With research budgets tight and review procedures being streamlined, applicants for research funds, especially newer investigators, may become disheartened. This article provides advice that we believe improves the quality of a written application. We detail ideas for how to develop applications that are complete and most easily understood by reviewers. Important elements include: a focus on selected, specific critical hypotheses that have both clinical and theoretical significance, documenting feasibility, establishing reliable effect sizes, providing specific analyses for each hypothesis, and writing a clear, well-articulated, "reader-friendly" application. In addition, we emphasize the value of collegial review and critique of the application prior to submission. We believe this "curbstone" advice will facilitate a well-reasoned review and if funds are available, eventual funding.