• Have you listed all the positions and names (if known) of individuals who will be working on this project?
• Have you listed salary and wage amounts for each individual and designated whether it is a FY (fiscal year), AY (academic year), or PT (part-time assignment)?
• Have you indicated the number of months or percentage of effort for each position? Summer effort should be noted for faculty with nine-month appointments.
• If this is a multiple-year budget, have you estimated future years' salaries based on increases of 3 percent?

Fringe Benefits

• The fringe benefit rate for all Ball State University employees is 32 percent. Benefits for faculty summer and supplemental salaries are calculated at 21 percent.
• Benefits are normally not calculated for student employees who are enrolled in classes. If a student is employed during the summer months and is not enrolled at least 6 hours, then FICA will be withheld at the current rate of 7.65 percent.

Equipment

• The University classifies an item with a unit cost of at least $5000 and a useful life of at least one year, as equipment.
• Determine the cost of the equipment based on the latest catalog or a vendor quote.

Supplies

• Have you listed each subclass of consumable supply along with an estimate of cost?

Travel

• Have you listed the purpose and destination of each trip?
• Have you obtained reasonable price quotes for airfare?
• Have you designated the number of individuals traveling, the number of days traveling, the per diem at the current rate, the lodging at the current rate, and estimated mileage? 
• Remember to use the correct, current University rates for in-state and out-of-state travel:

As of May 1, 2008:

 Per diem rate

• In-state travel: $26/day
• Out-of-state travel: $32/day

  Lodging (maximum allowable reimbursement)

• In-state travel: $79, plus tax, per day
• Out-of-state: Actual lodging expense not to exceed the single occupancy room charge, including taxes.

Mileage (personal vehicle allowances)

• In-state travel: $.40 per mile
• Out-of-state travel
  First 500 miles: $.40 per mile
  Next 2,500 miles: $.20 per mile
  Over 3,000 miles: $.10 per mile
• Will you need to rent a University car or van? Will you require a rental car at your destination?

Other Costs

• What other direct costs will you incur?
• Identify the names (if known) of consultants along with an estimated cost for their services.
• Have you listed any participant costs (travel, fees, meals, etc.)?
• What services will you need and what are the costs (teleplex, computer services, satellite feeds, etc.)?
• What about publication costs, long-distance telephone and fax, postage, etc.?

Facilities and Administrative Costs (Indirect Costs)

• Have you included the correct facilities and administrative cost calculation? Ball State University currently uses a modified total direct cost base and a rate of: 44.5% for on-campus programs and 24% for off-campus programs.