The proposal budget reflects the principal investigator’s best estimate to complete the proposed scope of work. Proposal budgets are defined partly by the organizations involved in the project, sponsor budget limits, institutional policies, and federal regulations. OSP will work with the PI to develop the proposal budget and ensure compliance with all requirements. For indirect cost information, please see Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs
Budget Templates
- RAMP Budget Tool (Updated 7/15/2024)
- RAMP Budget Tool User Guide
- RAMP Budget Justification (Updated 8/1/2024)
Salary Cap Information and Rates
- 2024 Salary Cap Calculator (Updated 2/1/2024)
- 2024 Summer Salary Cap Calculator (Updated 2/1/2024)
- 2024-Salary-Cap-Calculator-NIFA (Updated 2/1/2024)
- 2024 Salary Cap Information and Rates
As a general policy, the National Science Foundation (NSF) policy limits the salary compensation requested in the proposal budget for senior personnel to no more than two months of their regular salary in any one year. Mason defines a year from beginning of the academic year until the start of the next, beginning 8/25. This limit includes salary compensation received from all NSF-funded grants. This effort must be documented in accordance with 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E, including 2 CFR § 200.430(i). Proposal budgets submitted to NSF should generally not include funding for senior personnel which exceeds two months. If additional time beyond two months is required to accomplish the proposed statement of work, the request for additional time must be included in the proposal budget and explained in the budget justification and must be specifically approved by NSF in the award notice budget.
Proposal Checklists
Cost Accounting Exemption Request
Costs normally considered indirect costs – administrative salaries, postage and express mail, telephone, copier expenses, general office supplies, and space-related costs – may be allowable as direct costs if the cost can be associated with a specific project with a high degree of accuracy. In these cases, we request a cost accounting exemption form be completed and included in the file.
Fringe Benefit Rates
Fringe benefits, also known as Employee related expenses, is a normal and required direct cost category for most educational institutions. These costs need to be estimated for all employees proposed to work on a project.
Tuition Rates
Tuition is typically considered the amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged on a per-term, per course, or per-credit basis. Tuition can be charged as a direct expense to a sponsored project.
Compensation/Hours for GRAs
Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs)
| STATUS (on research) | WEEKS | DAYS | HOURS | HOURS/WEEK | HOURS/DAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year (Full-Time) | 39 | 195 | 780 | 20 | 4 |
| Academic Year (Part-Time) | 39 | 195 | 390 | 10 | 2 |
| Summer (Full-Time) | 13 | 65 | 520 | 40 | 8 |
| Summer (Part-Time) | 13 | 65 | 260 | 20 | 4 |
- Compensation Rates and Appointment Dates for GTAs, GPAs, and GRAs
- Subsidized Graduate Health Insurance