05 - 030ADV26R0020 - NOFO - LHI Continuing - Budget Plan Narrative Template.docx

BUDGET PLAN NARRATIVE

Lewis-Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative Continuing Awards for 2026-2029

Notice of Funding Opportunity 030ADV26R0020

< Institution Name > < Project Title > < Submission Date: XX-XX-XXXX >

Instructions:

1. Please complete the Budget Plan Narrative using the template and instructions provided below, then DELETE this Box and all Instructions text from the document prior to submission.

2. Cost Matching: If including cost shared or third-party in-kind costs, please detail them in each budget category as applicable. Specify if each applicable expense is cost shared, or in-kind. See 2 CFR 200.1 for definition of Third-party in-kind contributions.

Personnel (Salaries & Wages): $________ Instructions: Describe in detail the people/positions that will be involved in the project, including their pay rates or calculation of wages and stipends. The applicant’s budget must include the position title, salary rate, number of hours, and salary escalation factors for each position as applicable. The Budget Narrative must demonstrate that the proposed compensation is reasonable for the services rendered and consistent with what is paid for similar work in other activities of the applicant. Applicants must provide their established written policies on personnel compensation. If the applicant’s written policies do not address a specific element of compensation that is being proposed, the Budget Narrative must describe the rationale used and supporting market research. For applicants proposing to use a percentage of the proposed personnel’s salary, applicants must explain how the percentage was derived.

· Note: If cost share is being provided by unpaid volunteers, in this section, applicant must explain how they arrived at the dollar amount used to represent the value of their services.

Fringe Benefits: $________ Instructions: As stated in §200.431, costs of fringe benefits are allowable provided the benefits are required by law, non-federal entity employee agreement or an established policy of the non-federal entity. If the Applicant has a fringe benefit rate that has been approved by an agency of the U.S. Government, such rate could be used and evidence of its approval should be provided. If a fringe benefit rate has not been so approved, the application should propose a rate and explain how the rate was determined. If the latter is used, the narrative should include a detailed breakdown comprised of all items of fringe benefits (e.g., unemployment insurance, workers compensation, health and life insurance, retirement, etc.) and the costs of each, expressed in dollars and as a percentage of salaries.

Travel: $________ Instructions: Provide a detailed description of any travel costs for project staff and/or participants, including transportation, lodging, and per diem. For all travel costs, applicants must follow the requirements stated in 2 CFR 200.475. (Note: Travel for consultants must be categorized as “Contractual” costs.) The detailed description of travel should explain the purpose of the trips, the number of trips, the origin and destination for each trip, the number of individuals traveling and the duration of the trips. The specific names and dates for TPS/LHI meetings, workshops, conferences, and other events must be provided, if known, with all names spelled out (do NOT use acronyms). Per Diem and associated travel costs must be based on the applicant’s normal travel policies. When appropriate, please provide supporting documentation as an attachment, such as your organization’s travel policy, and explain assumptions in the Budget Narrative.

Equipment: $________ Instructions: Describe in detail the costs of equipment purchased specifically for the proposed project, including the unit quantities and cost per unit as applicable. Include specific brands and product names, if known. Identify the purpose of all budgeted equipment and provide vendor quotes or price lists as appendices to the proposal as applicable. Equipment is generally tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds $5,000. (See also 2 CFR 200.313.)

· Note: If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

Supplies: $________ Instructions: Describe in detail the costs of supplies and materials purchased specifically for the proposed project, including the unit quantities and cost per unit as applicable. Identify the purpose of all budgeted supplies and provide vendor quotes or price lists as appendices to the proposal as applicable. Include specific brands and product names, if known. Supplies are tangible personal property other than equipment (See also 2 CFR 200.314.)

Contractual: $________ Instructions: Describe in detail the costs of each third party that will undertake specific project activities such as partners, consultants, collaborators and/or service providers. Identify each third party by name (if known), describing their role on the project and providing relevant supporting documents in the appendices of the proposal as applicable. Include a breakdown of itemized costs for each line item as applicable. (See 2 CFR 200.331(b).) This does not apply to the acquisition of supplies, materials, or equipment.

Other Direct Costs: $________ Instructions: Describe in detail costs that cannot be assigned to other categories. Include a breakdown of itemized costs for each line item as applicable. Other Direct Costs includes communications, report preparation costs, office rent, etc. The Applicant should indicate the subject, venue and duration of any proposed conferences and seminars, and their relationship to the objectives of the program, along with estimates of costs. The narrative should provide a breakdown and support for all and each other direct costs.

Total Direct Costs – $_________

Total Indirect Costs – $_________ Instructions: As defined in 2 CFR 200 Appendix IV, Indirect Costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular final cost objective. Indirect costs are applied equitably across all of the business activities of the organization, according to benefits each gains from the indirect cost. Provide details and explain Indirect Costs assigned to the project. Indirect Costs are expenses incurred for common or joint objectives that cannot be easily allocated to a particular project, such as centralized administrative services, utilities, general insurance, local telephone services, or the salaries of the management and administrative personnel of the institution. See 2 CFR 200 for additional guidance. If using Indirect Cost rates, they may not exceed 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs.

· Note: The Library of Congress does not adhere to the Indirect Cost rates negotiated by other Federal agencies pursuant to OMB regulations.

Budget Plan Total: $_________ Instructions: This is the sum of direct and indirect costs.

Cost Matching Total (as applicable): $_________ Instructions: Please enter the total of all cost shared and third-party in-kind costs.

Total Project Costs: $_________ Instructions: This is the sum of direct costs, indirect costs, and cost matching (if applicable).

Questions? Email the TPS Program: tps-grant@loc.gov image1.jpeg