time table and budget for research proposal

Sample Budget Breakdown for Research Proposals

When you’re putting together a research proposal, one of the most important parts is the budget. It’s like planning how to spend your allowance, but for a big project!

This guide will help you understand how to break down your research budget into different parts, making it easier for you to plan and for others to understand where the money will go.

What You'll Learn

Why is a Budget Breakdown Important?

Before we dive into the details, let’s talk about why having a clear budget is so crucial:

Shows you’ve thought things through: A well-planned budget tells people you’ve really considered what you need for your research.
Helps you stay on track: Once your project starts, a good budget helps you keep an eye on your spending.
Makes it easier to get funding: When people or organizations see a clear, detailed budget, they’re more likely to give you money for your research.
Helps others understand your needs: A breakdown helps explain why you need certain amounts of money for different parts of your project.

Now, let’s look at the main parts of a research budget:

Personnel Costs

This is often the biggest chunk of your budget . It covers the money you’ll pay to people working on the project.

Subheadings:

a) Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigators

This is you (if you’re leading the project) and any other main researchers.
Include how much of their time (usually as a percentage) will be spent on the project.
Calculate their salary for that time.

Example: Dr. Jane Smith (PI) – 30% time for 12 months Annual salary: $80,000 Budget: 30% of $80,000 = $24,000

b) Research Assistants

These are people who help with various tasks like data collection or analysis.
Include their hourly rate and estimated hours.

Example: Research Assistant – $20/hour, 20 hours/week for 40 weeks Budget: $20 x 20 x 40 = $16,000

c) Consultants

Experts you might need to hire for specific tasks.
Include their fee and estimated time needed.

Example: Statistical Consultant – $100/hour, estimated 20 hours Budget: $100 x 20 = $2,000

d) Student Support

If you’re involving students in your research, include their stipends or wages.

Example: Graduate Student Assistant – $1,500/month for 9 months Budget: $1,500 x 9 = $13,500

Equipment and Supplies

This covers all the physical items you need to buy for your research.

a) Major Equipment

Big, expensive items that are crucial for your research.
Include the full cost, including any shipping or installation fees.

Example: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Machine Cost: $30,000 (including shipping and installation)

b) Minor Equipment

Smaller items that cost less but are still important.

Example: Digital scales (2) – $500 each Budget: $500 x 2 = $1,000

c) Consumables

Things you’ll use up during your research.
Estimate how much you’ll need for the whole project.

Example: Lab chemicals – $2,000 Glassware – $500 Office supplies – $300 Total: $2,800

d) Software

Any special computer programs you need to buy.

Example: Statistical analysis software license – $1,200/year Budget for 2-year project: $1,200 x 2 = $2,400

If your research involves trips to collect data, attend conferences, or meet with collaborators, include these costs.

a) Field Work

Trips to collect data or conduct experiments outside your usual workplace.
Include transportation, accommodation, and daily expenses (per diem).

Example: Field trip to Amazon rainforest:

Flights: $1,500
Accommodation: $100/night for 14 nights = $1,400
Per diem: $50/day for 14 days = $700 Total: $3,600

b) Conferences

Costs for attending meetings to present your research.
Include registration fees, travel, accommodation, and per diem.

Example: Annual Ecology Conference:

Registration: $500
Flights: $400
Hotel: $150/night for 3 nights = $450
Per diem: $75/day for 4 days = $300 Total: $1,650

c) Collaboration Meetings

Costs for meeting with research partners at other institutions.

Example: Visit to partner lab in Germany:

Flights: $800
Accommodation: $120/night for 5 nights = $600
Per diem: $70/day for 6 days = $420 Total: $1,820
Facility Costs

If you need to use special facilities or rent space for your research, include these costs.

a) Laboratory Space

Fees for using lab space, if it’s not provided by your institution.

Example: Lab rental at local research center: $500/month for 12 months = $6,000

b) Specialized Facilities

Costs for using equipment or spaces you don’t have regular access to.

Example: Use of Electron Microscope facility: $200/hour, estimated 20 hours needed Budget: $200 x 20 = $4,000

c) Field Station Fees

Costs for using research stations in remote locations.

Example: Mountain Research Station fee: $100/day for 30 days = $3,000

Participant Costs

If your research involves human subjects, you might need to pay them or cover their expenses.

a) Participant Compensation

Payment for people’s time in participating in your study.

Example: 100 participants at $20 each Budget: 100 x $20 = $2,000

b) Participant Travel Reimbursement

Covering transportation costs for participants to come to your research site.

Example: Estimated average travel cost per participant: $15 100 participants Budget: 100 x $15 = $1,500

c) Refreshments

If you’re providing snacks or meals during long study sessions.

Example: Snacks and drinks for 100 participants at $5 each Budget: 100 x $5 = $500

Publication and Dissemination

These are costs related to sharing your research results.

a) Open Access Publication Fees

Costs for making your research freely available online.

Example: Estimated fee for open access journal: $2,500

b) Printing Costs

For creating posters or handouts for conferences.

Example: 50 color posters at $30 each Budget: 50 x $30 = $1,500

c) Website Development

If you plan to create a website to share your research.

Example: Website design and hosting for 2 years: $1,000

Indirect Costs

These are overhead costs that your institution might charge for managing your grant.

a) Facilities and Administration (F&A) Costs

A percentage of your total direct costs that goes to your institution.
This rate varies by institution and funding agency.

Example: If your total direct costs are $100,000 and your institution’s F&A rate is 52%: Indirect costs: $100,000 x 52% = $52,000

b) Cost Sharing

Some grants require your institution to contribute a portion of the costs.
This isn’t a cost you include in your budget request, but you need to show it’s covered.

Example: If the grant requires 10% cost sharing on a $100,000 project: Cost sharing amount: $100,000 x 10% = $10,000 (to be provided by your institution)

Miscellaneous Costs

This category covers any other expenses that don’t fit neatly into the above categories.

a) Insurance

Special insurance you might need for field work or equipment.

Example: Field work insurance for 3 researchers for 2 weeks: $600

b) Shipping

Costs for sending equipment or samples.

Example: Estimated shipping costs for samples: $800

c) Communication

Phone or internet costs specifically for the project.

Example: Satellite phone rental for remote fieldwork: $10/day for 30 days = $300

Contingency

It’s wise to include a small amount for unexpected expenses.

Example: 5% of total direct costs for contingency

If your total direct costs are $100,000: Contingency: $100,000 x 5% = $5,000

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve calculated all these parts, add them up to get your total budget. Here’s a simplified example:

Personnel Costs: $55,500
Equipment and Supplies: $37,400
Travel: $7,070
Facility Costs: $13,000
Participant Costs: $4,000
Publication and Dissemination: $5,000
Indirect Costs: $52,000
Miscellaneous Costs: $1,700
Contingency: $5,000

Total Budget: $180,670

Remember, every research project is different, so your budget might not need all these categories, or it might need additional ones. The key is to think carefully about everything your research will require and account for it in your budget.

Tips for Creating Your Budget

Be realistic: Don’t underestimate costs, but don’t pad them either.
Do your research: Get real quotes for big expenses.
Explain your calculations: In a separate budget justification, show how you arrived at each number.
Follow the rules: Different funding agencies have different budget guidelines. Make sure you follow them.
Get help: Your institution’s research office can often help with budgeting.
Plan for the entire project: Think about costs that might come up in later stages of your research.
Be specific: Instead of a large “misc” category, try to break costs down into specific items.
Consider inflation: For multi-year projects, factor in potential cost increases.
Double-check your math: Small errors can make a big difference!
Align with your proposal: Make sure your budget matches the activities you describe in your research plan.

Mastering the Art of Writing: How to Write a Grant Proposal

How to Write a Comprehensive PhD Research Proposal in Sociology

Sample Proposal Budget Example

SAMPLE PROJECT PROPOSAL AND BUDGET

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What if I’m not sure about exact costs? A: It’s okay to estimate, but be sure to explain your basis for the estimate in your budget justification. Use phrases like “based on current market prices” or “average of three vendor quotes.”

Q2: Can I include my own salary in the budget? A: This depends on your situation and the funding agency’s rules. In many cases, yes, especially if you’re not already fully funded for the time you’ll spend on this project. Always check the specific guidelines for the grant you’re applying to.

Q3: What’s the difference between direct and indirect costs? A: Direct costs are expenses specifically for your project, like salaries, equipment, or travel. Indirect costs (also called overhead or Facilities and Administrative costs) are expenses that benefit your project but also other activities at your institution, like building maintenance or administrative support.

Q4: Should I ask for the maximum amount allowed by the grant? A: Not necessarily. Ask for what you genuinely need to complete your project successfully. Inflating your budget unnecessarily can hurt your chances of getting funded.

Q5: What if I need to make changes to my budget after it’s approved? A: Most funding agencies allow some flexibility, but major changes usually require approval. Always communicate with your program officer if you need to make significant changes.

Q6: Do I need to include quotes or price lists with my budget? A: It’s not usually required in the initial proposal, but having this documentation can be helpful if you’re asked to justify your costs. For very expensive items, including a quote can strengthen your proposal.

Q7: How detailed should my budget be? A: Your main budget should be a clear summary, but you should be prepared to provide a more detailed breakdown if asked. Many proposals require a separate budget justification document where you can provide more detail.

Q8: What if I forget something in my budget? A: That’s why it’s good to include a contingency amount. If you realize you’ve forgotten something major before submitting, see if you can revise your budget. If it’s after submission or approval, talk to your program officer about options.

Q9: Should I round my numbers? A: For smaller amounts, rounding to the nearest dollar is fine. For larger amounts, you might round to the nearest $10 or $100. The key is to be consistent and make your budget easy to read.

Q10: How do I handle in-kind contributions or cost sharing? A: These should be mentioned in your proposal and budget justification, but they’re usually not included in the main budget you’re requesting from the funding agency. They show additional support for your project.

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The Research Whisperer

Just like the thesis whisperer – but with more money, how to make a simple research budget.

A napkin diagram of the basic concepts in a project: interviews in South East Asia and trails with a Thingatron

Every research project needs a budget*.

If you are applying for funding, you must say what you are planning to spend that funding on. More than that, you need to show how spending that money will help you to answer your research question .

So, developing the budget is the perfect time to plan your project clearly . A good budget shows the assessors that you have thought about your research in detail and, if it is done well, it can serve as a great, convincing overview of the project.

Here are five steps to create a simple budget for your research project.

1. List your activities

Make a list of everything that you plan to do in the project, and who is going to do it.

Take your methodology and turn it into a step-by-step plan. Have you said that you will interview 50 people? Write it on your list.

Are you performing statistical analysis on your sample? Write it down.

Think through the implications of what you are going to do. Do you need to use a Thingatron? Note down that you will need to buy it, install it, and commission it.

What about travel? Write down each trip separately. Be specific. You can’t just go to ‘South East Asia’ to do fieldwork. You need to go to Kuala Lumpur to interview X number of people over Y weeks, then the same again for Singapore and Jakarta.

Your budget list might look like this:

I’m going to do 10 interviews in Kuala Lumpur; 10 interviews in Singapore; 10 interviews in Jakarta by me.
I’ll need teaching release for three months for fieldwork.
I’ll need Flights to KL, Singapore, Jakarta and back to Melbourne.
I’ll need Accommodation for a month in each place, plus per diem.
The transcription service will transcribe the 30 interviews.
I’ll analysis the transcribed results. (No teaching release required – I’ll do it in my meagre research time allowance.)
I’ll need a Thingatron X32C to do the trials.
Thing Inc will need to install the Thingatron. (I wonder how long that will take.)
The research assistant will do three trials a month with the Thingatron.
I’ll need to hire a research assistant (1 day per week for a year at Level B1.)
The research assistant will do the statistical analysis of the Thingatron results.
I’ll do the writing up in my research allowance time.

By the end, you should feel like you have thought through the entire project in detail. You should be able to walk someone else through the project, so grab a critical friend and read the list to them. If they ask questions, write down the answers.

This will help you to get to the level of specificity you need for the next step.

2. Check the rules again

You’ve already read the funding rules, right? If not, go and read them now – I’ll wait right here until you get back.

Once you’ve listed everything you want to do, go back and read the specific rules for budgets again. What is and isn’t allowed? The funding scheme won’t pay for equipment – you’ll need to fund your Thingatron from somewhere else. Cross it off.

Some schemes won’t fund people. Others won’t fund travel. It is important to know what you need for your project. It is just as important to know what you can include in the application that you are writing right now.

Most funding schemes won’t fund infrastructure (like building costs) and other things that aren’t directly related to the project. Some will, though. If they do, you should include overheads (i.e. the general costs that your organisation needs to keep running). This includes the cost of basics like power and lighting; desks and chairs; and cleaners and security staff. It also includes service areas like the university library. Ask your finance officer for help with this. Often, it is a percentage of the overall cost of the project.

If you are hiring people, don’t forget to use the right salary rate and include salary on-costs. These are the extra costs that an organisation has to pay for an employee, but that doesn’t appear in their pay check. This might include things like superannuation, leave loading, insurance, and payroll tax. Once again, your finance officer can help with this.

Your budget list might now look like this:

10 interviews in Kuala Lumpur; 10 interviews in Singapore; 10 interviews in Jakarta by me.
Teaching release for three months for fieldwork.
Flights to KL, Singapore, Jakarta and back to Melbourne.
Accommodation for a month in each place, plus per diem, plus travel insurance (rule 3F).
Transcription of 30 interviews, by the transcription service.
Analysis of transcribed results, by me. No teaching release required.
Purchase and install Thingatron X32C, by Thing Inc . Not allowed by rule 3C . Organise access to Thingatron via partner organistion – this is an in-kind contribution to the project.
Three trials a month with Thingatron, by research assistant.
Statistical analysis of Thingatron results, by research assistant.
Research assistant: 1 day per week for a year at Level B1, plus 25.91% salary on-costs.
Overheads at 125% of total cash request, as per rule 3H.

3. Cost each item

For each item on your list, find a reasonable cost for it . Are you going to interview the fifty people and do the statistical analysis yourself? If so, do you need time release from teaching? How much time? What is your salary for that period of time, or how much will it cost to hire a replacement? Don’t forget any hidden costs, like salary on-costs.

If you aren’t going to do the work yourself, work out how long you need a research assistant for. Be realistic. Work out what level you want to employ them at, and find out how much that costs.

How much is your Thingatron going to cost? Sometimes, you can just look that stuff up on the web. Other times, you’ll need to ring a supplier, particularly if there are delivery and installation costs.

Jump on a travel website and find reasonable costs for travel to Kuala Lumpur and the other places. Find accommodation costs for the period that you are planning to stay, and work out living expenses. Your university, or your government, may have per diem rates for travel like this.

Make a note of where you got each of your estimates from. This will be handy later, when you write the budget justification.

10 interviews in Kuala Lumpur; 10 interviews in Singapore; 10 interviews in Jakarta by me (see below for travel costs).
Teaching release for three months for fieldwork = $25,342 – advice from finance officer.
Flights to KL ($775), Singapore ($564), Jakarta ($726), Melbourne ($535) – Blue Sky airlines, return economy.
Accommodation for a month in each place (KL: $3,500; Sing: $4,245; Jak: $2,750 – long stay, three star accommodation as per TripAdviser).
Per diem for three months (60 days x $125 per day – University travel rules).
Travel insurance (rule 3F): $145 – University travel insurance calculator .
Transcription of 30 interviews, by the transcription service: 30 interviews x 60 minutes per interview x $2.75 per minute – Quote from transcription service, accented voices rate.
Analysis of transcribed results, by me. No teaching release required. (In-kind contribution of university worth $2,112 for one week of my time – advice from finance officer ).
Purchase and install Thingatron X32C, by Thing Inc . Not allowed by rule 3C. Organise access to Thingatron via partner organistion – this is an in-kind contribution to the project. ($2,435 in-kind – quote from partner organisation, at ‘favoured client’ rate.)
Research assistant: 1 day per week for a year at Level B1, plus 25.91% salary on-costs. $12,456 – advice from finance officer.

Things are getting messy, but the next step will tidy it up.

4. Put it in a spreadsheet

Some people work naturally in spreadsheets (like Excel). Others don’t. If you don’t like Excel, tough. You are going to be doing research budgets for the rest of your research life.

When you are working with budgets, a spreadsheet is the right tool for the job, so learn to use it! Learn enough to construct a simple budget – adding things up and multiplying things together will get you through most of it. Go and do a course if you have to.

For a start, your spreadsheet will multiply things like 7 days in Kuala Lumpur at $89.52 per day, and it will also add up all of your sub-totals for you.

If your budget doesn’t add up properly (because, for example, you constructed it as a table in Word), two things will happen. First, you will look foolish. Secondly, and more importantly, people will lose confidence in all your other numbers, too. If your total is wrong, they will start to question the validity of the rest of your budget. You don’t want that.

If you are shy of maths, then Excel is your friend. It will do most of the heavy lifting for you.

For this exercise, the trick is to put each number on a new line. Here is how it might look.

5. Justify it

Accompanying every budget is a budget justification. For each item in your budget, you need to answer two questions:

Why do you need this money?
Where did you get your figures from?

The budget justification links your budget to your project plan and back again. Everything item in your budget should be listed in your budget justification, so take the list from your budget and paste it into your budget justification.

For each item, give a short paragraph that says why you need it. Refer back to the project plan and expand on what is there. For example, if you have listed a research assistant in your application, this is a perfect opportunity to say what the research assistant will be doing.

Also, for each item, show where you got your figures from. For a research assistant, this might mean talking about the level of responsibility required, so people can understand why you chose the salary level. For a flight, it might be as easy as saying: “Blue Sky airlines economy return flight.”

Here is an example for just one aspect of the budget:

Fieldwork: Kuala Lumpur

Past experience has shown that one month allows enough time to refine and localise interview questions with research partners at University of Malaya, test interview instrument, recruit participants, conduct ten x one-hour interviews with field notes. In addition, the novel methodology will be presented at CONF2015, to be held in Malaysia in February 2015.

Melbourne – Kuala Lumpur economy airfare is based on current Blue Sky Airlines rates. Note that airfares have been kept to a minimum by travelling from country to country, rather than returning to Australia.

1 month accommodation is based on three star, long stay accommodation rates provided by TripAdvisor.

30 days per diem rate is based on standard university rates for South-East Asia.

Pro tip: Use the same nomenclature everywhere. If you list a Thingatron X32C in your budget, then call it a Thingatron X32C in your budget justification and project plan. In an ideal world, someone should be able to flip from the project plan, to the budget and to the budget justification and back again and always know exactly where they are.

Project plan: “Doing fieldwork in Malaysia? Whereabouts?” Flips to budget.
Budget: “A month in Kuala Lumpur – OK. Why a month?” Flips to budget justification.
Budget justification: “Ah, the field work happens at the same time as the conference. Now I get it. So, what are they presenting at the conference?” Flips back to the project description…

So, there you have it: Make a list; check the rules; cost everything; spreadsheet it; and then justify it. Budget done. Good job, team!

This article builds on several previous articles. I have shamelessly stolen from them.

Constructing your budget – Jonathan O’Donnell.
What makes a winning budget ? – Jonathan O’Donnell.
How NOT to pad your budget – Tseen Khoo.
Conquer the budget, conquer the project – Tseen Khoo.
Research on a shoestring – Emily Kothe.
How to make a simple Gantt chart – Jonathan O’Donnell.

* Actually, there are some grant schemes that give you a fixed amount of money, which I think is a really great idea . However, you will still need to work out what you are going to spend the money on, so you will still need a budget at some stage, even if you don’t need it for the application.

Also in the ‘simple grant’ series: