Budget Formats & Submission

Developing budgets for grant applications is a difficult and time consuming process. Many factors must be considered. Match requirements, indirect funds for the institution, and personnel costs are but a few. The following information is designed to provide a rudimentary introduction to the budgeting process and the components that must be considered.

The Budget Summary details the overall costs of the proposed project. You will notice it falls into a few distinct categories: Personnel, Supplies and Materials, Other Operating Expenses and Services, Capital Outlay, and Other Outgo. These categories are contained (in some form or fashion) in virtually every grant application. The example here is from the State of California, and thus uses the code numbers at the left of the form. Federal and private grants will also have these general categories, but with other numbering systems. Effort should be made to understand the categories, and what budget amounts go where.

Likewise, the Budget Detail Sheet demonstrates how the costs in the Budget Summary were calculated. Most funders will request this information, and it will most often pertain to calculation of salaries and benefits.

The Budget Narrative is an explanation of what the funds are used for. Some funders require this information while others do not. It is the funder’s intent to determine whether or not the costs are reasonable to the proposed project. For example, a grant proposal that centers on equipment should not include costs for curriculum development or cross-country travel.

We hope this information will be of some use in guiding you through the budgeting process. Please feel free to call the Grants Office if you have any questions on developing a grant budget. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

• Sample Budget Summary (intranet)
• Sample Budget Details (intranet)
• Sample Budget Narrative (Intranet)

More About

Grants Newsletter (intranet)	Elements of a Grant
Available Resources	The Team Approach & Group Process
The Grant NOI Process	Monthly Questions & Answers
Budget Formats & Submission	Contact the Grants Office

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