Fringe Benefits Rates
Summer Student Room and Board Rates
Indirect Costs Rates

The costs necessary to support your project are outlined in the budget. Each funding agency requires different information and format for budget information. Many agencies provide specific forms that must be completed at the time of proposal submission.

Important tips:

• Justify each item to make sure that reviewers will understand the necessity of the support you have listed.
• Acquire cost estimates for equipment so that reviewers can determine the accuracy of your request.
• File for matching funds approval at the October or February deadline so that the College can determine the type of support it can provide for your work well in advance of the proposal deadline. In particular cases (e.g. NSF CCLI), a College match is required.

Cost Sharing: "A general term, used as a noun or adjective, that can describe virtually any type of arrangement in which more than one party supports research, equipment acquisition, demonstration projects, programs, institutions. Example: A university receives a grant for a project estimated to have a total cost of $100,000. The sponsor agrees to pay 75% ($75,000) and the university agrees to pay 25% ($25,000). The $25,000 is the cost-sharing component." Cost-sharing will be explicitly detailed on the ITF. Matching funds will be approved well in advance of proposal deadline.

Direct Costs:

1. a. Salaries and Wages

   list all professional personnel: faculty, staff and undergraduate students. Estimated time each will commit to the project should be clearly stated. To determine your monthly salary, take 1/9 of your faculty salary. Usually, funding agencies allow 2/9 for summer salary, while some allow 3/9.

2. Benefits: Employee benefits to be paid by college. Benefits are calculated for all salaries and wages.

1. Supplies — identify consumable supplies need for the project. Estimates should be as accurate as possible.

1. Equipment — List estimated costs of specific equipment necessary to the project (not currently available at the College). Expendable equipment is necessary to the project bu costing less than $500.
2. Travel — Itemize travel associated with the project. Subdivide for domestic and foreign travel.
3. Participant support costs — stipends, travel, subsistence necessary for certain projects, particularly with respect to undergraduates

1. Consultants — state the total amount for such services and how the total was determined.
2. Publication — all costs to any publication that is expected to result from the project
3. Miscellaneous: copying charges

In-Kind: "Contributions or assistance in a form other than money. Equipment, materials, or services of recognized value that are offered in lieu of cash." Most budgets will include in-kind contributions from the College. It is important that these contributions be highlighted as they attest to the College’s commitment to support your project.

Indirect Costs: "Costs related to expenses incurred in conducting or supporting research or other externally-funded activities but not directly attributable to a specific project. General categories of indirect costs include general administration (accounting, payroll, purchasing, etc.), sponsored project administration, plant operation and maintenance, library expenses, departmental administration expenses, depreciation or use allowance for buildings and equipment, and student administration and services." Some funding agencies do not allow for indirect costs, others cap the amount that can be requested. Please review the budget guidelines carefully.

Matching Grant: "A grant that requires a specified portion of the cost of a supported item of equipment or project be obtained from other sources. The required match may be more or less than the amount of the grant. Some matching grants require that the additional funds be obtained from sources outside the recipient organization. Many matching grants are paid in installments, the payments coinciding with the attainment of pre-specified levels of additional funding. Matching grants are very common in the sciences, especially for equipment. They are standard practice in some government agencies."