Budget Development
Budget Templates
Every grant proposal must include a budget and a budget justification—together, these documents help you present an accurate accounting of your project's financial needs.
Though producing a project budget may seem intimidating, the dynamic tools below practically calculate your budget for you!
For more information about the costs automatically added to these budgets, review our reference materials on facility & administrative costs, UNO's payroll benefits rate, and how to budget for student workers and graduate assistants.
NOTE: Some funding agencies have standardized budget and justification formats. Always follow the sponsor's guidelines.
Option One: Generator
| Budget & Justification Generator | |
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| This new webtool automatically generates a PDF budget and editable Word justification—then, it emails you a link where you can make changes and generate new documents! | |
| Budget Generator |
Option Two: Templates
| Budget Spreadsheets | |
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| These Excel workbooks are color-coded manuals that help you categorize and total every dollar accurately. We recommend downloading a new budget template every time you require it—because if you save the file to your computer and re-use it, you will miss important updates! | |
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Internal Grant Program (IGP) Spreadsheet |
| Justification Template | |
| To develop a budget justification, download this Word document and itemize your project costs. Add any budget category relevant to you; delete any budget category that is not relevant to you. Then, elaborate! Explain what work or product the requested funds will support, provide the pay rates that inform your figures, and break down any supplies, equipment, or travel costs. | |
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You may also download and complete a letter of commitment for your packet.
Board of Regents (BoR)
If you are vying for a Board of Regents grant, please use the above template based on their specific requirements.
The altered template is necessary because the Board of Regents limits the F&A costs to 25% of the total salary and benefits. More information is given in the budget template.