Research Budget Planner

Typically ALLOWED: personnel salaries/benefits, equipment directly used for research, consumable supplies, participant compensation, data collection costs, travel to research sites or conferences, publication fees, professional services (transcription, statistical consulting), software licenses. Typically NOT ALLOWED: entertainment, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, equipment for general use, indirect costs beyond specified rates, expenses already covered by other funding, pre-award costs (unless approved). Funders have specific guidelines - NIH, NSF, foundations have different rules. Entertainment rules vary by funder. Always check funder-specific allowable cost policies and institutional policies before budgeting.