A structured written research proposal is a necessary requirement when making anapplication for research funding or applying to an ethics committee for approval of aresearch project. A proposal is built up in sections of theoretical background; aimand research questions to be answered; a description and justification of the methodchosen to achieve the answer; awareness of the ethical implications of the research;experience and qualifications of the team members to perform the intended study; abudget and a timetable.This paper describes the common steps taken to prepare a writtenproposal as attractively as possible to achieve funding