How should you write the time allocation for project staff in the Budget section of the grant proposal?

When writing the time allocation for project staff in the Budget section of a grant proposal, using Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) is often the most effective approach. FTE provides a standardized way to quantify the amount of time a staff member will dedicate to a project based on a full-time workload. It allows for a clear representation of resources needed for the project, making it easier for reviewers to understand the commitment involved.

FTE expresses the allocated time as a fraction of a full-time position, which simplifies budgeting for multiple staff members with varying time commitments. This method helps to ensure that the proposal reflects a comprehensive and organized staffing plan, giving funders confidence that appropriate resources have been allocated adequately for the project's success.

Using percentages of time could also communicate staff allocation but lacks the clarity and standardization that FTE offers, especially when scaling up or down based on the number of hours worked. Hourly estimates and daily rates can be less preferred as they may lead to ambiguity in the allocation process and fail to present a cohesive picture of the staff workload in relation to the project's full scope. These measures can complicate budget calculations and may not align as directly with grant expectations for clarity in staffing allocations.