Grantsmanship for New Investigators: Thomas F. Hilton and Carl G. Leukefeld [Book Review

Abstract

This book is a practical guide for pursuing US federal funding for research. The book is intended for new investigators in the early stages of their career, who are new to grants, or unfamiliar with the structures, priorities, and processes that govern the funding landscape. Rather than merely providing an overview of these processes, the authors aim to help investigators “understand how to work the process to [their] advantage” (p. xi). The book succeeds by offering a detailed overview of the federal funding process while simultaneously explaining how new investigators can use this knowledge to position themselves for success. Hilton and Leukefeld are experienced researchers who have worked as grant and contract administrators for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a result, much of the content reflects NIH policy and practice. Investigators pursuing NIH funding will find this guide particularly useful, and investigators who are pursing funding from other federal sponsors (e.g., the National Science Foundation) will find that many of the book’s recommendations are transferable.