Budgeting
"A budget is the financial expression
of the project’s statement of work."
-Patricia Hawk, Oregon State University
Budgeting is one of the most important aspects of writing a grant proposal. It is the financial translation of your project into reality. Effective budgeting promotes the smooth execution of your project, and helps ensure that needs, both foreseen and unforeseen, can remedied effectively.
The ORSP staff are available to assist you as you construct your budget, however here are a few questions to keep in mind.
- Does the funder require cost sharing? If so, you should refer to our Cost Sharing page. You must include this information on the Intent to Apply Form, and discuss it with the ORSP, your chair, and possibly your dean.
- Will the funder pay indirect or Facilities & Administration (F&A)? If so, you must include this at the current negotiated rate of 36%.
- All employee salary and wages must include fringe benefits at 27.7%.
- Check the funder's exclusions and do not include items the funder will not pay for, for example, most federal grants will not pay for refreshments at a reception. Some foundations will not fund salaries. Read the grant guidelines carefully.
Think about what your project will look like, feel like, how it will work, and try to consider all possible expenses that might come up. Be thorough; think about travel, lodging, printing, fees, equipment, consultants, etc.
Sample Budget Justification with Tables
Foundation Budget Template, One Year Project
Foundation Budget Template, Two Year Project
Information on budgeting from NIAID
Sample Budget