Some funding sources specify page limits. Budget and budget justification . The budget represents the PI's best estimate of the costs of doing the work described in the proposal. The general rule of thumb is that a budget should include all costs necessary to carry out the project in a cost-effective manner. An artificially small budget may seem to indicate a PI who doesn't have enough knowledge to know what resources will be necessary to complete the work.
Direct costs are costs that can be specifically identified with a particular project.
They include items such as salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, travel, and publication charges. Indirect costs are costs that can not be directly associated with a particular project. They include general operating costs such as library services, maintenance, etc. Direct costs should be explained in the budget justification, which usually follows the budget itself. Justification of indirect costs is not necessary in each proposal, since the appropriate rate is negotiated with the federal government or is determined by the guidelines of the funding agency.