• Budget is complete and realistic.
• Cost out everything you will need.
• Sponsoring agencies may have specific forms to complete. Utilize these budget forms to define and format your proposed costs.
• Specific costs may be unallowable by some agencies. Remember to check the guidelines.

1. Is your budget prepared according to the agency's guidelines?
2. Have budget computations been double-checked for accuracy and do all of your budget figures balance?
3. Have you itemized each category of expenditure and are appropriate items described and/or justified in the budget justification page?
4. Have you itemized each contribution to the project, both cost-sharing and matching funds? Have these items been approved and allocated by the appropriate administrator (budgetary head for direct cost contributions and Director of Research for indirect cost contributions)?
5. Have you consulted with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs on the most recent indirect costs and fringe benefits rates?
6. Have all of the following items been considered (if relevant)?
   -Salaries for principal investigators(s), salaries and tuition for graduate students, salaries for undergraduate assistants and secretarial and technical assistance;
   -payments to consultants and the need for subcontract effort;
   -travel and per diem costs for project completion and professional conferences;
   -cost of equipment purchase; including the cost of delivery, installation, auxiliary parts, maintenance costs, and service agreements;
   -cost of expendable supplies and expenses (postage, long-distance telephone costs, duplication costs, publication costs);
   -cost of supplies unique to your program, i.e., magnetic tape, film, batteries, lab animals, and human subjects.
7. Have you considered normal inflationary costs for salaries, travel, supplies, tuition, if the project period extends to more than one year?

1. Are salary rates compatible with current salary ranges?
2. Does the budget provide for salary increases after the first year?
3. Does the budget include fringe benefits?
4. Will the program require personnel overload or premium pay overtime?
5. Can administrative and clerical support be justified on the program?

1. Is equipment purchase allowed by the sponsor agency?
2. Have you checked with appropriate sources for information on equipment costs, vendors, procedures for purchase, etc.?
3. Have you included the cost of delivery, installation and auxiliary parts in the purchase price?
4. Have you included the cost of maintenance, service agreements?
5. Have you included an itemized listing of equipment that includes the type of equipment, specific name, model number, vendor, etc.?

1. Have you provided for adequate supplies to complete the project?
2. If pertinent, have you itemized expenses for items such as:
   Shipment costs
   Books, publications
   Communication costs (long distance telephone charges, postage, express mail
   expenses, etc.)
   Publication in professional journals
   Cost of purchase/care of laboratory animals
   Payments to human subjects
   Stipends

1. Have you included adequate travel in your budget to complete the project, including possible travel to professional meetings or conferences?
2. Have you itemized your planned travel, including destination and purpose?
3. Have you allowed for future increases in costs for transportation?
4. Have you included all types of travel expenses: air fare, etc., per diem, and local transportation?

1. Have you determined if non-University effort will be necessary to complete the program?
2. Have you identified the institution to provide this outside effort?
3. Have you requested a proposal from the potential subcontractor?
4. If you have not identified a specific subcontractor, be aware that a formal bid process may be necessary to establish an appropriate subcontractor.

Consultants

1. Have you determined if non-University personnel effort will be necessary to complete the program?
2. Have you identified the individual that will be performing the consulting effort?
3. Is that individual truly an independent contractor (consultant) or should they be classified as a short-term hourly employee? Contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to determine the appropriate classification for these individuals.