Applicants are encouraged to review all budget items carefully, and when possible, find economical ways to accomplish their goals. Check multiple sources to determine the cost of each significant expenditure. Investigate if there is a more cost-effective alternative to reaching your goal.

Supplies and Materials

Think about all the supplies and materials you’ll need at each stage of your project. Creating a timeline can help you plan when each step will happen and estimate how much everything will cost. For every step, list the items you need, then research where to buy them and how much they cost.

Examples of supply and material categories:

• Laboratory supplies
• Art supplies
• Research supplies and materials
• Teaching supplies
• Building or prototyping materials
• Books (only if not available through the UConn Library or borrowing is not feasible)
• Publicity materials
• Printing expenses

Project supplies should be budgeted using reasonable estimates, documented to current costs. Applicants should consult their project mentor to determine what supplies and materials are available through the university or department that they can use for their projects, if applicable.

Mileage/Travel

Travel away from your home during the semester or the summer may be budgeted as part of a proposal if the travel is necessary for the proposed project work.

• Airfare: Search the web to get an estimate of costs and use an average number for your budget.
• Transportation, including mileage, parking fees, taxi/shuttle/train or bus fare: Review information on the UConn Travel Services website for current mileage reimbursement rates.
  • Do not include commuting from home to campus during fall or spring semester as part of your travel expenses.

• Lodging: Review information on per-diem reimbursement rates on the Travel Services website to help you determine a reasonable estimate. You can also review travel booking websites to determine the average rates and lodging options during the period you intend to travel.
• Meals: Review information on per-diem reimbursement rates on the Travel Services website to help you determine a reasonable estimate.
• International Travel: If you plan to travel outside the U.S. you will need to research and factor in the costs for visas and immunizations (if applicable), and health insurance while abroad. Also consider how much you may need for expenses such as phone and internet access.

Please note that funding cannot be used to cover fees for study abroad programs, internship placement programs, or volunteer placement programs.

Printing and/or Presentation Expenses

Printing costs may be covered by the Change Grant. This includes items such as publication materials, marketing pieces, posters, and other printed materials. Printing services are available through the UConn Document Production Center—check their pricing guide to estimate your costs: https://dpc.ubs.uconn.edu/.
In addition, supplies and materials needed for presentations, exhibitions, or screenings may also be eligible for funding.

Participant Compensation for Applied Research Projects

Participant compensation or incentives can be covered by the Change Grant. If your project requires research approvals, such as IRB, you must receive approval before funding for participant compensation or incentives is disbursed.

Stipend

Important note for financial aid recipients: If you are a financial aid recipient (including tuition waivers, residential assistant waivers, loans, grants, work-study employment), your financial aid package may be revised because of receiving a UConn IDEA Grant. Please contact One Stop Student Services at (860) 486-1111 to discuss how this might affect your financial aid package.

Equipment Rental Costs

The cost of renting equipment that is not available through your department or on campus is possible through the Change Grant funding. Please discuss your project needs with the Change Grant program coordinator to determine what can be covered.

Equipment Use Fees

The cost of using equipment on campus can be covered by the Change Grant. This cost should be, at most, no more than half your Change Grant budget. If your project requires additional funding for equipment use fees, please contact the Change Grant program coordinator to discuss your needs.

Low-Cost Equipment Purchases

Equipment purchases are limited and must be approved in advance. They may also need to follow university purchasing policies, and any items purchased may become University property after the project ends. Before requesting equipment, students should check with their project mentor to see what is already available through their department or the University.

Applicants must also speak with the Change Grant program coordinator to confirm whether the equipment they want to purchase is eligible.

Books and Software Purchases

Books can be purchased if they are not already available through the UConn Library. Software purchases are only allowed if there is no suitable option available through existing campus resources. Students should review the UConn Software Catalog to see what is already provided by UConn ITS. The Change Grant can fund university-licensed software (such as Adobe Creative Cloud) through UConn ITS for student use.

Event Planning Expenses

Event-related costs—such as room rentals, audiovisual (AV) equipment, and food—may be covered. However, these expenses should be discussed with the Change Grant program coordinator to understand any limitations or requirements.