Research and IPM

Grants Programs: Exotic/Invasive Pests and Diseases Research Program Budget Format and Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING BUDGET

NOTE: Each application must contain a budget for each year of funds requested and a cumulative budget for the full term of requested support.

BUDGET NARRATIVE: A narrative for each line item, along with any remarks and budget justifications, must be submitted on a separate page.

1. Salaries and Wages—Salaries of the project director(s) and other personnel associated directly with the project should constitute direct costs in proportion to their effort devoted to the project. Charges by academic institutions for work performed by faculty members during the summer months or other periods outside the base salary period are to be at a monthly rate not in excess of that which would be applicable under the base salary and other provisions of the applicable cost principles. All salaries requested must be consistent with the regular practices of the institution.
   
   Award funds may not be used to augment the total salary or rate of salary of project personnel or to reimburse them for consulting or other time in addition to a regular full-time salary covering the same general period of employment.
   
   All positions requested require a statement of justification as to why an individual(s) at this level is required. Explain the expertise and role of these senior level personnel. Are they to be hired or are they already identified? Attach their biographical sketch if available.
   
   Note: A paraprofessional is an individual who through formal education, work experience and/or training has the knowledge and expertise to assist a professional person.
   
   For other personnel (graduate students, technical, clerical, etc.), only the total number of persons and total amount of salaries per year in each category are required.
   
   
2. Fringe Benefits—If the usual accounting practices of the performing organization provide that the organizational contributions to employee "benefits" (social security, FERS, retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs, award funds may be requested to defray such expenses as a direct cost.
   
   No tuition remission may be paid.
   
   
3. Nonexpendable Equipment—Nonexpendable equipment is defined as tangible property, having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $1,500 or more. General-purpose equipment (equipment whose use is not limited only to research, medical, scientific, educational, or other technical activities) requires special justification.
   
   In the budget narrative, list each item of equipment with cost and justify why it is needed for the project. If appropriate, provide a lease versus purchase cost analysis.
   
   
4. Materials and Supplies—The types of expendable materials and supplies required should be indicated in general terms with estimated costs. (See also "Other Direct Costs" for clarification.)
   
   
5. Travel—The type and extent of travel and its relationship to the project should be specified. In the budget narrative, for both domestic and foreign travel, provide the purpose, the destination, method of travel, number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for each trip. If details of each trip are not known at the time of proposal submission, provide the basis for determining the amount requested. For example, conduct 100 producer interviews in two states: 10 people, 4 days each, traveling by car = $5,200.
   
   Travel and subsistence should be in accordance with organizational policy. Irrespective of the organizational policy, allowances for airfare will not normally exceed round trip jet economy air accommodations.
   
6. Publication Cost/Page Charges—Costs of preparing and publishing the results of a project conducted under the award, including costs of reports, reprints, page charges or other journal costs, and necessary illustrations, may be included. Photocopying should be included under All Other Direct Costs.
   
   
7. Computer (ADPE) Costs—The cost of computer services, including computer-based retrieval of scientific and technical information, may be requested. A justification based on the established computer service rates at the proposing organization should be provided. Internet connection costs may be requested, as appropriate, in this category.
   
   
8. All Other Direct Costs—Other anticipated direct costs not included above should be included in this category and itemized in the budget narrative. Examples are subcontracts, space rental at establishments away from the performing organization, service charges for use of equipment and user fees for procedures or processes charged to the grantee, lease of equipment, equipment maintenance, photocopying, and analyses. Reference books and periodicals may be charged to the award only if they are related specifically to the project. Consultant services should be included in this section.
   

Proposed subcontracts should be disclosed in the proposal, including a statement of the work to be performed. For each subcontract, a separate budget must be included to show the breakdown of costs, along with a budget narrative.

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