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 may find the Cost Sharing page and Reassigned Time and Match Guidelines helpful. You must note on the Intent to Apply Form if cost sharing is required or intended, 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 38%. If the funder sets a lower F&A or indirect rate in writing, the Unversity will work with the given rate.
- All employee salary and wages must include fringe benefits at 26.8% for federal grants. For foundation grants, the current LMU fringe rate is used.
- If you are interested in a course release, or reassigned time, see the LMU Reassigned Time and Match Guidelines.
- Check the funder's exclusions and do not include items the funder considers unallowable, 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 Updated 2011
Foundation Budget Template, One Year Project Updated 2011
Foundation Budget Template, Two Year Project Updated 2011
Sample Budget Updated 2011