Many junior clinical researchers underestimate the importance of developing a research plan. However, some confusion may exist regarding the meaning of “research plan.” Essentially, there are two main types of research plans to consider—the plan related to a specific project and the plan related to the development of career scholarship foci. Let’s briefly consider each of these.

For a specific project, the research plan refers to the main elements of the research proposal. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has a good discussion on the research plan (http://www.ahrq.gov/funding/grants/process/esstplan.html#Aims). This plan should address the following questions:

• What do you intend to do?
• Why is the work important?
• What has already been done?
• How are you going to do the work?

For successful funding, it is imperative that these questions be comprehensively addressed. This requires an extensive literature review, the generation of pilot data, the development of aim statements, careful writing, and a thoughtful time line.

Another important consideration for clinical researchers is developing an area of focus in their research program. To secure extramural funding, investigators must demonstrate expertise in the area of inquiry; grant reviewers will score proposals because of this expertise. For many clinical researchers, there may be more than one research focus. For example, investigators may be trained in cardiac pharmacotherapy and develop a passion for medication safety related to long QT syndrome while performing clinical trials in heart failure.

Junior investigators need to carefully consider these paths as they develop their research career plan. They should put their plan on paper and develop a time line for desired milestones. This is essentially a strategic planning exercise for the individual that may be accomplished during the annual evaluation process. Input should be gathered from experienced mentors and/or the individual’s supervisor. Modifications related to changing interest areas as well as to current and predicted future directions of research issues are to be expected, necessitating a frequent revisitation of the plan and desired career path.

A thoughtful process in developing the research plan for an individual project, as well as a career of scientific inquiry, is essential to success.