Book excerpt: This text targets effective grant proposal writing in epidemiology, preventive medicine, and biostatistics. It provides summary checklists and step-by-step guidelines for grant structure and style, critical do's and don'ts that aid in writing solid grant proposals, and broader strategies for developing a research funding portfolio. Written by an established NIH reviewer with an impressive track record of funding, the book demonstrates proven tactics with extensive examples from successfully funded proposals. It serves as a virtual cookbook of the ingredients needed to construct a winning grant proposal.