Budget and budget narratives

Often, you'll be required to include a budget narrative to explain the costs you've identified in your budget.

For information on developing a budget at Charles Sturt, refer to the website.

The Budget Narrative (Rationale)

The budget narrative needs demonstrate a link between each budget item and activities within the project. This includes:

  • Staffing (i.e. what is the role and why is it crucial to the project? Does the person have particular skills which are needed for the project? If asking for specific RA HEW levels, state why that level is needed - what activities will they be undertaking?).
  • Travel (i.e. where are you going, why, and for how long? How did you calculate the costs - km's travelled, etc? Why is travel needed instead of emails or online meetings?).
  • Equipment (i.e. what equipment is needed for the project, and why?).
  • Any other expenses eligible for funding.

And remember, funders are after projects which are value for money and cost effective.

Resources

How to build credibility with your budget narrative Grants.gov (USA) offer some great tips for developing an effective budget narrative. It also discusses the importance of connecting the budget to the project's goals and objectives. The website includes links to budget narrative examples.

Grant proposals (or Give me the money!) The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina have published a handout which includes example budgets and budget narratives (scroll down the bottom of the webpage).

How to develop a project budget: A complete guide 2024 The ProposalsforNGOs website offers advice on developing grant application budgets and budget narratives. Examples are included.

Episode 4: Project budgets (4:29 mins)
This short podcast by Strategic Grants provides information on different types of budget items which might be included in a grant application, particularly for projects which are intervention-based. It also includes suggestions for budget narratives for each budget item.

Creating a well justified budget (5:39 mins)
This short video by EPISCenter provides information on different types of budget items which might be included in a grant application, particularly for projects which are intervention-based. It also includes suggestions for budget narratives for each budget item.