Niños Sanos, Familia Sana (NSFS) is a 5-year multi-intervention study aimed at preventing childhood obesity among Mexican-origin children in rural California. Using a transdisciplinary approach and community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology, NSFS's development included a diversely trained team working in collaboration with community partners. The systematic development of the research funding application and the iterative proposal-development process provide the basis for understanding greater opportunities for funding, and modifications needed to be successful with higher level sponsors of CBPR projects.