Research and Sponsored Programs

Appalachian State University

>Home>Budget Information

Section Navigation

• Finding Funding
• Writing a Proposal
• Samples
• Budget Information
  • ASU Budget Information
  • Standard Budget Worksheet (Excel)
  • Modified Budget Worksheet (Excel)
  • An Explanation of Indirect Costs
  • Faculty Buyout Calculation
  • Cost Recovery Policy (pdf)
• Post-Award Services
• Glossary
• FAQ
• Contact Us

Creating a Budget

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has provided Excel worksheets in two formats (Standard and Modified) to assist in the budget writing process. Some tips and samples are listed below for additional assistance.

• How to Develop a Budget for your Grant Proposal
  • First, you will need to prepare expense worksheets:
    • http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/budget.html
  • A Budget Narrative is usually required:
    • http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/narr.html
  • Provide support and revenue statements if the project has already received funds or if it is expected to produce funds:
    • http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/support.htm
• Writing Hints for Budget Proposal Writing
• Sites for writing a grant proposal
  • Grant Writer's Toolbox at Appalachian
  • Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal by Dr. S. Joseph Levine
• Make your budget realistic (Do not inflate your budget)
• Ask someone else in your organization to review your budget
• Check with the agency to see if it has required budget categories for you to use in your proposal
• Basic Budget Elements
  • Salaries and Wages – determine total salaries and wages and list the amount of time spent by each person on project
  • Fringe Benefits – direct cost to a sponsored project based on salaries and wages to be paid
  • Consultants – some sponsors do not permit payments to consultants
  • Capital Equipment – an article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5000 or more per acquisition
  • Expendable Equipment and Supplies – These are items costing less than $5000.  Normally, a research project will consume expendable supplies such as laboratory items, teaching aids, computer software, and office supplies.  A reasonable amount should be budgeted for these items.
  • Publication Costs – Budget the anticipated cost of publishing the results of the research, keeping in mind that page charges may vary from journal to journal.  Consider both page charges and reprint costs.
  • Travel – If foreign travel is anticipated it must be specified.
  • Computer Time – Computer time costs should be included as a budget item, if appropriate.  If non-sponsor-funded computer time is needed, arrangements must be made in advance with your academic department or research unit. 
  • Subcontracts/Sub-recipient Agreements – When a proposal includes a subcontract/subrecipient agreement to a named subcontractor, the subcontractor’s authorized institutional representative should be provided with the “Proposal Review Form.”  If the principal investigator(s) has any direct or indirect financial or other interest in the subcontractor/subrecipient organization, a disclosing statement must be submitted as well.  
  • Other Elements – Consider, as appropriate, costs for copying, long-distance telephone calls, postage, reference books and materials, tuition and required fees for participating graduate students, equipment maintenance, and contracted services.  Revision of OMB A-21 relevant to office supplies, postage, local telephone costs, and memberships:  The principal investigator needs to justify the need for these items in relation to the project.

Updated July 2007