Persuasive budgets are realistic and accurate. Corporate and Foundation Relations strongly recommends consulting our office, as well as Barb Fowler, Assistant Comptroller (x4169) in the Business Office, for assistance with budget preparation. The Business Office, in consultation with the Dean's Office, has developed a helpful template for creating a proposal budget.

In general, budgets, including especially those included with proposals to federal agencies, have two parts:

1. Direct Costs include salaries, wages, and stipends for you or any other personnel associated with or working on your project; equipment and maintenance; supplies; payment for participation, honoraria, or colloquia fees; travel; communications (telephone, fax, photocopying, and postage); and fringe benefits.
2. Indirect Costs are calculated as a percentage of total salaries and stipends. Indirect costs compensate for such expenses as building maintenance for your project; the cost of books, journals, periodicals, or multi-media materials collected and stored for your project; administrative costs; and, in rare instances, fringe benefits on salaries and wages. The College has a negotiated rate for indirect costs; consult with CFR (x4046) or Barb Fowler, Assistant Comptroller (x4169) in the Business Office for more information.

When compiling a budget, assess your needs carefully. What staffing needs will you have? Will your staff be professional? Administrative? Students? Consultants? Will you need new equipment? Will an equipment purchase require pricing or bidding? Will the equipment have to be installed? Will it require special accommodations by the College? Does it have to be maintained or serviced? Will your project use office supplies? A telephone or fax machine? Do you plan to mail questionnaires? How much postage will you need? Will you or anyone on the project travel? Locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally? Will you want release time or a summer salary? Will you be on leave?