Budget Justification

Your research proposal requires you to justify all of the expenses included in your project budget. Make your budget justifications concise yet inclusive of specific, detailed information regarding the qualifications, roles and responsibilities of project personnel, as well as the necessity of each expense.

Always follow the funding agency's instructions for justifying your budget.

OAG Guide to Writing a Budget Justification

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Questions to Address about Expenses

Answers to the questions below will provide you with clear, logical reasons for your project expenses.

Personnel Expenses

Why should you act as Principal Investigator for the project? What specific credentials and experiences qualify you for the role? How will you contribute to the success of the project?

If you have included the expense of additional project personnel in your budget, there are four essential questions to address.

  1. What are the credentials, qualifying skills and role at Regis for each individual? If you have not yet identified someone to fill a particular project position, indicate the individual's identity is TBD, and clearly outline the role and responsibilities of the position.
  2. Why is each additional person working on the project vital to its success? Be specific about project-related experiences or skills he or she brings to the project.
  3. What is the specific role and set of responsibilities each project employee will fulfill? What are the tasks they will perform?
  4. How much time and effort will each project employee devote to the project?

You should also explain any roles played by student research assistants or employees.

What role, if any, will an outside consultant play? Why is an outside consultant necessary?

Equipment Expenses

You will need to justify any single items of equipment that cost $5,000 or more. Why is this equipment needed for project completion? Provide written quotes from equipment vendors and negotiate quotes expiration dates that take the grant review process into account.

Supply Expenses

What supplies are needed for research and why are they necessary? Include justification for office supplies, research supplies, supplies for special events, etc.

Travel Expenses

Why is travel vital to the work of the grant? What are the specific travel plans and expenses that will be incurred?

Printing, Copying and Mailing Expenses

What are your anticipated printing and copying expenses? Include expenses for convenience copier use, printing of marketing brochures, etc. You can obtain expense quotes from the University's printing service. Don't forget to be specific about any possibole mailing expenses.