Sample Budget

Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) Sample Research Budget

When estimating project expenses, applicants should include all anticipated costs related to supplies, equipment, and technology needed to complete the project. Budget items generally fall into three categories:

• Consumable materials are items that are used up during the project and cannot be reused afterward. Examples include reagents, buffers, solvents, food and beverages, paint, wood, and other expendable supplies.
• Non-consumable materials are durable items that can be reused multiple times beyond the project. Examples include microscopes, glass beakers, safety goggles, and recording devices. Any durable equipment purchased through a URSA award will become the property of SMSU.
• Technological services and software include subscriptions, licenses, or platforms needed to conduct the project, such as advanced statistical software or online survey platforms.

Although URSA awards are limited to $1,000, students are encouraged to include all anticipated project expenses in their application. Listing the full project cost helps the committee better understand the project's needs and provides an opportunity to award the maximum available funding. Even if some expenses are ultimately deemed ineligible for funding, including them in the budget gives reviewers a more complete picture of the project's scope.

Budget Information