The Site Enablement League (SEL) is a cross-industry initiative committed to improving clinical trial processes through collaboration. Its Budgets Working Group brought together representatives from sites, sponsors, CROs, and vendors to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in research: budget negotiations.
Too often, startup delays stem not from lack of effort—but from a lack of shared understanding. Each stakeholder operates within different systems, assumptions, and pressures. The working group’s goal was to bring greater transparency, shared understanding, and practical solutions to budgeting during trial startup.
The working group created three best practices documents that aim to:
- Increase transparency into site startup workflows and budget processes
- Highlight the interdependence of budgeting with other startup processes
- Foster better communication and alignment from the start
- Illustrate how all stakeholders can support faster, smoother negotiations
These aren’t just tools for sites—they’re guides to help everyone in the process work smarter, together.
📄 Best Practices for Study Startup
📄 Best Practices for Budget Estimations
📄 Best Practices for Budget Justification
👉 Explore the documents and share them with your team.
Together, we can reduce delays, make clinical research more efficient and accelerate site activation.
Disclaimer:
These best practices were developed through cross-industry collaboration and are intended to support shared understanding and continuous improvement in clinical trial budgeting. However, every research organization operates within its own unique structures, policies, and regulatory requirements. These materials should be used as a reference and adapted in accordance with your institution’s internal guidance, standard operating procedures, and applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
