Students should prepare a budget indicating all anticipated costs associated with the project. Potential categories of expense include supplies, photocopying, equipment, subject incentives and fees, telephone, postage, travel, (e.g., to remote data collection sites), equipment, and data collection and analysis expenses (e.g., reliability checkers). The budget must be approved by the mentor and submitted to the Human Studies Coordinator.  

As is the case with any credit-bearing coursework, students are expected to bear reasonable costs associated with St. Mary's Projects. The College has determined that it is reasonable for students to be responsible for $200 of project expenses (based on $100 per 4 credits). College grants are available for additional support. Submission of a budget, approved by the mentor, in excess of $200, serves as a grant application. The average grant is not expected to exceed $200.   Also be aware that there are other ways to obtain funding, such as applying for a grant under discipline associations for undergraduate research.   Please see your mentor for assistance in applying for outside grants.

Students must maintain accurate records, including receipts, of project expenses. Before students may receive reimbursement funds from a College grant for their project, they must submit a summary of their expenses and the original receipts to their mentor for review, who will forward them to the Human Studies Coordinator. A final budget report must be submitted and approved by the mentor and coordinator before a final grade is recorded for the project. The Human Studies Coordinator will receive final approval for all reimbursements from the Provost's Office.   Budgetary guidelines are explained in more detail in a separate document.