The prime objective of this review was to examine the existing literature relating to proposal development and evaluation in order to establish a perspective on any empirical base underlying the process. Findings related to seven areas are presented: preparing the proposal, utilization of support services, preparation cost and return relationships, reviewing and evaluating proposals, establishing credibility of the peer review process, proposal quality and program success, and perceptions and attitudes. Observations on both substance and methodology are synthesized, and include: (1) very few empirical studies have been directed toward the task of actual proposal preparation; (2) support services provided to proposal developers found to be most useful focus upon the somewhat mechanical aspects of a proposal; (3) training in proposal development is a justifiable service and cost; (4) the return on investment justifies the costs of development; (5) the decision points in the development process within an institution should be the object of careful study; and (6) the predominant method for research on proposal development tended to be some form of correlational analysis. (BW)