Budget Preparation (UQ Research and Innovation)

Timing of Budget Preparation

Budgets for research projects should be calculated at the grant application stage, or for contract research, during the early discussions with the sponsor.

NB. If budgets are not calculated correctly prior to submission of grant applications or contract negotiations, and the indirect costs have not been included appropriately, the University will need to consider the viability of the research project. In some circumstances, the University may not be willing to subsidise the research project and funds may need to be relinquished.

Budget Preparation in Practice

Research budgets should be prepared following careful consideration of the both University policy and the funding body/sponsor’s requirements. Please use the guidelines below when preparing the budget for your research project:

Determine what level of indirect cost recovery is required for the research project (see Indirect Cost Recovery at UQ).
If indirect cost recovery does apply to the project, complete the preliminary budget calculations using the UQ Research Budget Spreadsheet.
Before submission of your grant application, ensure your budget is presented in the format requested by the granting body/sponsor. Please note that your research project budget must not be presented to the granting body/sponsor on the UQ Research Budget Spreadsheet.
If a budget justification is required, ensure all budget items are justified in terms of both need and cost.

NB. Where applicable, completed UQ Research Budget Spreadsheets and any approvals to vary the indirect cost recovery rate, must be submitted to R&ID, along with your project proposal documentation, prior to submission to the grantor, or commencement of contract negotiations with the project sponsor.

Further Advice on Budget Preparation

For research grant budgets, please contact the R&ID Research Administration Officer responsible for your Faculty/Institute. Contact details are available on the R&ID website at http://www.uq.edu.au/research/rid/grants-contact-us
For contract research budgets, please contact your Faculty/Institute Manager, Innovation and Commercial Development. Contact details are available on the UniQuest website at: https://www.uniquest.com.au/micd-contacts

Next: Indirect Cost Recovery at UQ