Proposed Budget Request & Justification
Proposed Budget Request & Justification
Proposed Budget
(Based on a 12-month budget)
Personnel
Total $ XXXXXX
Justification
Fringe Benefits
Total $ XXXXXX
(This category is appropriate when hiring an individual to give professional advice or services
(e.g., training, expert consultant, etc.) for a fee but not as an employee of the grantee
organization).
1. Name of Consultant
2. Organizational Affiliation (if applicable)
3. Nature of Services To Be Rendered
4. The Number of Days of Consultation (basis for fee)
5. The Expected Rate of Compensation (travel, per diem, other related expenses)--
list a subtotal for each consultant in this category
6. Method of Accountability
(If the above information is unknown for any consultant at the time the application is submitted,
the information may be submitted at a later date as a revision to the budget. In the body of the
budget request, a summary should be provided of the proposed consultants and amounts for
each.)
D. Equipment
Total $XXXX
Item Requested How Many Unit Cost Amount
(Example)
1. Hand-held 2 $1,000 $2,000
inspection tool
Justification
1. Hand-held inspection unit--Provide complete justification for all requested
equipment, including a description of how it will be used in the program.
E. Supplies
Total $XXXXX
(Individually list each item requested. Show the unit cost of each item, number needed, and total
amount. Provide justification for each item and relate it to specific project objectives. If
appropriate, Project Specific Office Supplies may be shown by an estimated amount per year
times the number of direct staff in the budget category.)
Example:
(Dollars requested in the travel category should be for Staff Travel Only. Travel for consultants
should be shown in the consultant category.
In-State Travel
Example
12 round trip cab fares x 2 staff members x $20 per round trip = $ 480
Justification
Out-of-State Travel
All out-of-state travel expenses are calculated per person on an average cost basis
determined in the following way:
Airfare $ 769
Accommodations 375 (average for 3-night stay)
Per diem 196 (average for 4-days at $49 per day)
Ground Transport. 60
Total $1,400
Justification
G. Other
Total $XXXX
(This category contains items not included in the previous budget categories, such as
telephone, postage, and printing. Individually list each item requested and provide
appropriate justification related to the project objectives.)
Project-specific Telephone
($ per year x # direct staff) = $XXXX
Project-specific postage
($ per year x # direct staff) = $ XXXXX
H. Contractual Costs
Total $ XXXX
(A summary should be provided of the proposed contracts and the amounts for
each.)
1. Name of Contractor
2. Method of Selection
3. Period of Performance
4. Scope of Work
5. Method of Accountability
6. Itemized Budget and Justification
J. Indirect Costs
Indicate method of calculating your indirect costs (e.g., Indirect costs = x% of Direct
Costs).
Total $ XXXX
Total Indirect Costs
INTRODUCTION
The budget is the financial expression of the project and should accurately reflect the costs of the
proposed research/education/service program. The budget justification provides the sponsor agency and
reviewers of the application with information such as why costs are programmatically necessary and how
they are calculated. Reviewers will analyze the financial data to determine if the proposed costs are
allocable to the program, allowable under federal cost principles or non-federal sponsor guidelines
(whichever is applicable), reasonable and treated consistently by the institution and similar organizations.
When the University receives an award, the approved budget items become part of the agreement
between the University and the sponsor. Only those costs that are included in the budget or re-budgeted
costs allowed by the sponsor should be directly charged to the award. If the cost requires prior
institutional and/or sponsor approval after the award is made, the approval must be secured before the
cost is incurred. Therefore, it is important to develop a budget that will enable the PI to fulfill all of the
programmatic requirements of the project.
FUNDING SOURCES
One of the first steps in developing a budget is a determination of the original source of funding –
federal/federal flow through, state and local government, private, etc. The Office of Research, College of
Public Health (COPH), will assist grant writers in identifying the source of funding.
Federal/Federal Flow-Through
If the funding source is federal in origin, budgets must comply with the sponsor agency budget
guidance and OMB Circular A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions. Additional
information is provided throughout this document to assist grant writers in determining if items of
cost are normally treated as direct costs or F&A. In addition, definitions are provided at the end
of this document for the following terms: direct costs, F&A costs, allocable, reasonable,
consistent treatment.
Non-Federal Sources
Budgets developed for non-federal funding sources must comply with the sponsor agency budget
guidance and University guidelines.
The budget and budget justification must adhere to the guidance provided by the sponsor agency.
The following information is intended to assist principal investigators and project personnel develop
budget justifications that will enable reviewers to analyze the budget request in relation to the program
selection criteria. It is presented for the following general budget areas:
A. Salaries and Wages
B. Fringe Benefits
C. Consultant Costs
D. Equipment
E. Supplies
F. Travel
G. Other
H. Contractual Costs
I. Facilities & Administration (F&A) or Indirect Costs
RESOURCES
Additional resources appear at the end of this document:
Definitions: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions OMB Circular A-21
Examples of a major project where direct charging of administrative staff salaries may be appropriate
References
Provide the following information for each position identified on the budget:
1. Name
2. Degree(s)
3. Title
4. Time commitment
5. Duties and responsibilities in relation to the program goals and objectives
Federal/Federal Flow-Through: Administrative and clerical positions are normally treated as Facilities
and Administration (F&A), but may be charged to a sponsored project when ALL of the following
conditions are met:
1. The cost can be readily identified specifically with the project with a high degree of accuracy.
2. The cost is incurred for a different purpose or circumstance as compared to administrative and
clerical services that are normally treated as F&A. The budget justification should state that the
costs are normally treated as F&A by the institution, but are requested due to a special purpose
or circumstance. The special purpose or circumstance should be clearly outlined in the budget
justification.
a. The work to be performed is different from the administrative and clerical services that
are required for routine departmental and administrative support.
b. The work to be performed is required to meet the exceptional requirements of the project.
Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate where a major project or activity
explicitly budgets for administrative or clerical services. “Major project” is defined as a
project that requires an extensive amount of administrative or clerical support which is
significantly greater than the routine level of such services provided by academic
departments. Examples of “major projects” where direct charging of administrative or
clerical staff salaries may be appropriate are provided at the end of this document.
3. The cost is explicitly budgeted, with a reasonable justification given for direct charging due to a
special purpose or circumstance, and approved by the sponsor agency.
Examples:
Although normally treated as an F&A cost, the nature of the work described for the Program Assistant
represents administrative or clerical support which is different from and significantly greater than the
routine level of support services provided by the institution. In addition, the Maternal and Child Services
Workforce Development program may be defined as a “major project” as follows:
Large, complex programs, such as General Clinical Research Centers, Primate Centers, Program
Projects, environmental research centers, engineering research centers, and other grants and
contracts that entail assembling and managing teams of investigators from a number of
institutions.
Projects that require making travel and meeting arrangements for large numbers of participants,
such as conferences and seminars.
Individual projects requiring project-specific database management, individualized graphics or
manuscript preparation; human or animal protocol, IRB preparations and/or other project specific
regulatory protocols; and multiple project-related investigator coordination and communication.
B. Fringe Benefits
Indicate how fringe benefit costs are calculated, based on the types of positions for which funding is
requested. Refer to the Division of Research Grants web site for current USF fringe benefit rates
NOTE: Fringe benefit rates are updated periodically. Check the DRG web site prior to
calculating fringe benefit costs.
Example:
Fringe benefits are calculated at 16.5% of requested salary dollars and include: FICA, Medicare, workers
compensation, unemployment compensation, and retirement. In addition, health insurance is calculated
as follows: Individual coverage - $289/month; Family coverage - $590/month.
Fringe benefits for non-student OPS (Other Personnel Services) are calculated at 8% and include: FICA,
workers compensation, and unemployment compensation.
Fringe benefits for student OPS (including Graduate Assistants/Associates) are calculated at 1% and
include: workers compensation and unemployment compensation.
Personnel/fringe benefit costs may also include employment termination costs, i.e., accrued leave
payments, severance pay allocable to the project and in compliance with USF policies and procedures.
C. Consultant Costs
Professional services may be obtained from individuals who are not employees of the grantee institution.
The following information should be provided:
Name, Degree(s)
Funds are requested to conduct up to 10 training sessions pertaining to KidCare Program eligibility. The
target audience includes enrollment personnel located in health departments, public health clinics, and
other settings. Training sessions will be offered in locations throughout the state of Florida. Training
programs will include: Basic Eligibility (4 sessions/year @ 6 hours/session), Advanced Training (4
sessions/year @ 4 hours/session), or Refresher (2 sessions/year@ 4 hours/session). Preparation and
follow-up for each training course will not exceed 12 hours and will include consultation with HHS, INS,
ORR or other offices or individuals.
Basic Eligibility: 6 hrs trng + 12 hrs prep = 18 hrs/session x 4 sessions x $50/hr = $3,600
Advanced Training: 4 hrs trng + 12 hrs prep = 16 hrs/session x 4 sessions x $50/hr = $3,200
Refresher: 4 hrs trng + 12 hrs prep = 16 hrs/session x 2 sessions x $50/hr = $1,600
$8,400
Travel to training site locations will be reimbursed including airfare, mileage, lodging, meals, parking, and
other travel related expenses. Travel costs are estimated as follows:
$500/session x 10 sessions = $5,000
D. Equipment
Example:
Spectronic Genesys 2 Spectrophotometer: The Spectrophotometer measures the amount of light that the
sample absorbs by passing a beam of light through the sample and recording the intensity of light
reaching the detector. This instrument will be used to analyze samples generated from exhaled breath
condensate, in particular, ammonia and amylase levels. The Spectrophotometer will be allocated solely
to this project. 1 unit @ $6,450
High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with Fluorescence (HPLC) and UV-NIR: The HPLC will be
used to evaluate the level of various breath condensate components including glutathione, ethane and
ethylene. In addition, when coupled with a mass spectrometer, it is capable of measuring overlapping
volatile components also found in breath condensate. Use of the HPLC will be solely allocable to this
project. 1 unit @ $44,345
E. Supplies
Example:
MycoMeter sample kits: MycoMeter kits are necessary to periodically monitor the fungal growth on
painted gypsum drywall. The generation of trimethylstibine is believed to be linked to the growth of fungi.
Measurements of an indicator of fungal biomass should correlate with the generation rates of
trimethylstibine. 175 kits @ $25/kit = $4,375
The following supplies are required to create a registration packet, program syllabus and training
materials to be distributed to participants of the training program, “Hearing Conservation in Industry.” The
estimated attendance is 150. A CD will be distributed to each attendee to be used during training
sessions conducted in the computer lab. A writing pad and pencil will be provided to facilitate note taking.
In addition, each attendee will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.
Examples:
1. The Research Associate will travel to six pilot sites, twice per year, to supervise data collection and
conduct quality assurance monitoring.
2. The Project Director will travel to Washington, DC twice per year to meet with the program officer and
other grantees to review program progress and issues related to implementation and evaluation.
Out-of-State Travel: Three days/two nights: $1,026/Person
Air Fare $400/person
Lodging $175/night x 2 nights = $350
Meals $21/day x 3 days = $63 ($3-Breakfast, $6-Lunch, $12-Dinner)
Rental Car $40/day x 3 days = $120
On-Site Parking $20/day x 3 days = $60
Airport Parking $7/day x 3 days = $21
Mileage to Airport 40 mi RT x $.29/mi = $11.60
$1,026/person/trip x 2 trips = $2,052
G. Other
This category contains items not included in the previous budget categories. Individually list each item
requested and provide appropriate justification related to the program objectives.
Examples:
Long-distance toll calls: Project personnel will communicate with pilot sites, sponsor agency, other
program grantees, advisory committee and other constituents. Costs are estimated as follows:
Subject Fee Payments: Incentives will be provided to solicit participation in three focus group meetings.
The focus group sessions will be designed to ascertain barriers encountered by consumers who seek
prenatal health care services.
Tuition: Funding is requested for two Graduate Research Assistants (GA) under the “Personnel” budget
category. In addition to salary support, in-state tuition costs will be provided as follows:
$209.53/credit hour x 9 hours/semester x 3 semesters x 2 GAs = $11,314.62
The PI/Project Staff may request tuition waivers for Graduate Assistants, if allowable per the sponsor
budget guidance and sufficient funding is available.
H. Contractual Costs
If a portion of the scope of work will be assigned to another institution or organization, the following
information should be provided:
1. Name of subrecipient
2. Period of performance
3. Scope of work
4. Itemized budget and budget justification (Each proposed subrecipient must provide a
budget and budget justification in compliance with the sponsor agency budget guidance.)
Scope of Work: The Centre for Women/Family Service Association will provide the services of a
Benefits Coordinator and Licensed Mental Health Worker to consumers of the Central
Hillsborough Healthy Start Program (CHHS). This organization is well respected in the
community for its culturally competent and respectful service provision. The Centre for Women
will: a) provide individual and group therapy services, b) coordinate clinical and non-clinical
mental health services; c) provide psycho-educational and support groups, d) participate in the
evaluation of quality and quantity of services of the maternal depression program as required by
CHHS; e) participate in data collection, and f) provide monthly written reports on the activities and
progress towards the achievement of project goals to the Project Director.
PERSONNEL
Role on Inst. Salary Fringe
Name Project FTE Mo Base Requeste Benefits Total
s Salary d
TBA Licensed Social 1.0 12 $40,000 $40,000 $10,400 $50,400
Wrk
TBA Benefits Coord .50 12 $25,000 $12,500 $3,250 $15,750
Travel
The Licensed Social Worker may provide therapy services in public health clinics, consumer homes, and
other settings. In addition, this position is required to attend two project-related meetings per month and
conduct training programs throughout the year, to be determined in conjunction with the Project Director.
1,800 miles x $.29/mile = $522
F&A: The F&A rate specified in the budget guidance provided by Health Resources and Services
Administration, PHS, DHHS, is 10% of total direct costs.
F&A or indirect costs must be calculated in compliance with the budget guidance provided by the sponsor
agency. If the sponsor does not specify a rate, refer to the following USF web site or contact the COPH
Office of Research for assistance in determining the appropriate F&A or indirect cost rate.
USF web site for indirect cost rates
DEFINITIONS
OMB Circular A-21
Cost Principles for Educational Institutions
Direct Cost:
Costs that can be identified specifically with a particular sponsored project, an instructional
activity, or any other institutional activity, or that can be directly assigned to such activities
relatively easily with a high degree of accuracy. Costs incurred for the same purpose in like
circumstances must be treated consistently as either direct or F&A costs. Where an institution
treats a particular type of cost as a direct cost of sponsored agreements, all costs incurred for the
same purpose in like circumstances shall be treated as direct costs of all activities of the
institution.
F&A Costs:
Costs that are incurred for common or joint objectives and, therefore, cannot be identified readily
and specifically with a particular sponsored project, an instructional activity, or any other
institutional activity.
Reasonable:
A cost is considered reasonable if the nature of the goods or services acquired and the amount
involved reflect the action that a prudent person would have taken under the circumstances
prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost.
Allocable:
A cost is allocable to a particular sponsored project if the goods or services involved are
chargeable or assignable to the project in accordance with the relative benefits received.
Large, complex programs, such as General Clinical Research Centers, Primate Centers, Program
Projects, environmental research centers, engineering research centers, and other grants and
contracts that entail assembling and managing teams of investigators from a number of institutions.
Projects which involve extensive data accumulation, analysis and entry, surveying, tabulation,
cataloging, searching literature, and reporting, such as epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and
retrospective clinical records students.
Projects that require making travel and meeting arrangements for large numbers of participants,
such as conferences and seminars.
Projects whose principal focus is the preparation and production of manuals and large reports, books
and monographs (excluding routine progress and technical reports).
Projects which are geographically inaccessible to normal departmental administrative services, such
as seagoing research vessels and other research field sites that are remote from the campus.
Individual projects requiring project-specific database management, individualized graphics or
manuscript preparation; human or animal protocol, IRB preparations and/or other project specific
regulatory protocols; and multiple project-related investigator
These examples are not an exhaustive list, nor do they imply that direct charging of administrative or
clerical salaries would always be appropriate for the situations illustrated in the examples. For instance,
the examples would be appropriate when the costs of such activities are incurred in unlike circumstances,
i.e., the actual activities charged direct are not the same as the actual activities normally included in the
institution’s F&A cost pools. It would be inappropriate to charge the cost of such activities directly to
specific sponsored agreements if, in similar circumstances, the costs of performing the same type of
activity for other sponsored agreements were included as allocable costs in institution’s F&A cost pools.
REFERENCES
A Guide to Managing Federal Grants for Colleges and Universities, J.T. Norris and J.A. Youngers, F.
Fernald (Exec Editor), National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and
the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) in conjunction with Atlantic
Information Services, Inc. (AIS), 2003.
Revised 12/15/03