Budget Development Checklist

Begin planning the budget in conjunction with the first draft of the proposal text 

• Contact the Grant Relations Manager at [email protected] to get started.
• Keep in mind -- Costs must be allowable by the sponsor and university, allocable to the proposed scope of work and reasonable.

 Identify and estimate costs for each year of the project 

• Principal Investigator (PI) and other project personnel (percentage of time to be spent on project during the grant period).
• Supplies and equipment, if needed (cost breakdowns or prices will be needed).
• Travel, if needed (including destination, number of days, and purpose of trip).
• Consulting and other purchased services. Will need the provider's standard rates and an estimate of the time (or other deliverables) needed for the project.
• Subaward costs, if applicable. Include a detailed budget and budget justification, adhering to sponsor requirements for each subawardee.
• Other direct costs, as allowable by the sponsor, university and federal uniform guidance.

Secure cost share, if required. Cost share can be provided by:

• The PI
• Campus
• College
• The university
• A third party collaborator

Keep the Finance Officer and Chief Academic Officer informed of budget content

• Will release from teaching be required?
• Will a university match/cost share be needed?
• Do you have effort capacity to carry out the proposed scope of work?  

Remember, costs should be reasonable and as accurate as possible at the time of proposal submission. Project budget should never be inflated based on the assumption the funder might cut the budget. It should, however, include all costs, either as part of the budget request or as cost cost share, to cover the full cost of the project. 

Send budget items to the Grant Relations Manager at least three weeks before proposal is due for processing and submission to the agency or foundation.