Creating a Budget

While your research proposal outlines the academic significance of your study, the budget and budget justification show that you understand the costs of performing the proposed research activities and have considered whether lower-cost strategies or alternative timelines could achieve the same goals. Your proposed budget should identify all the expenses that are necessary and reasonable for the successful completion of your project. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) understands that budget estimates are imprecise by definition, yet we encourage students applying for project-based funding to diligently and honestly evaluate all aspects of their budgets. 

Requirements

Budgets should be itemized, listing specific items and quantities. A justification must accompany each proposed cost that discusses why the requested items or resources are essential to the methodology and goals of the proposed project. Insufficient budget justification may result in no or partial funding.  

In addition, students should transparently describe how each cost was estimated, addressing the following considerations when applicable:   

  • Other available sources of funding, such as mentor matches, fellowships, etc.  
  • How items or resources are otherwise unavailable through WashU (mentor, department, library, etc.) or other avenues at no or lower cost (e.g., renting equipment) 
  • For projects involving compensation of research subjects, a rationale for the sample size 

Allowable and non-allowable costs 

In general, OUR funding for project-based expenses can be utilized for two types of costs: 

  • Consumable goods and services, including but not limited to chemical reagents, participant incentives, art supplies, archive admission and copying fees, translation fees 
  • Travel expenses, including transportation (e.g., airfare, ground transit) and international travel expenses (e.g., visa fees, vaccination costs, WashU-required global health insurance from GeoBlue) 
    • Room and board (i.e., lodging and meals) are allowable costs only for conference travel or for travel-based projects where living expenses are not already covered by the OUR (e.g. SURGE award) or other sources 

The OUR is generally unable to fund the following budget items: 

  • The cost of non-consumable goods (e.g., reusable equipment like laptops, cameras, or suitcases). However, we will consider such items under $100 with strong justification. 
  • Student wages. As stated above, room and board will only be considered for conference travel or travel-based projects where living expenses are not already covered. The restriction against wages applies to both the award applicant and other students they may seek to hire (e.g., as a research assistant). 

Sample Budgets

Sample 1 - Anthropology: Global Health and Environment (travel)

Sample 2 - Chinese Studies, Performing Arts: Dance (travel)

Sample 3 - Performing Arts: Drama (production)

Sample 4 - Political Science (participant fees)

WashU Resources

Below are a variety of low- or no-cost WashU resources that undergraduate researchers can leverage. This is not an exhaustive list, and students should consult their faculty mentor and campus experts in their area of inquiry to find the best resources to meet their needs. 

 

Header photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash