PDS Budget Narrative Sample Template_ASVN.xlsx

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FY26 American Spaces Vietnam Programming
Opportunity number
SVM300-26-PDS-AS
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About this file

This file is a budget narrative sample template designed to guide applicants in preparing detailed budget justifications for grant proposals under the ECA – American Spaces program (CFDA 19.441). The template provides instructions and examples across ten budget categories: Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Construction (not allowable), Other Direct Costs, Total Direct Costs, and Indirect Costs. Each category includes sample line items with calculations, columns for federal request and cost-share amounts, and narrative justification sections. The template demonstrates how to document salary allocations with level-of-effort percentages, fringe benefit rates (FICA, workers compensation, health benefits), international and local travel expenses with itemized per diem costs, equipment purchases exceeding $10,000, supplies under $10,000, consultant and sub-award contractual arrangements, and miscellaneous direct costs such as telephone and facility rental. The example budget shown totals $140,372.93 in federal request and cost-share combined, with indirect costs calculated at 13.75% using a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) agreement.

The template requires applicants to delete blue instructional text before submission and emphasizes that vague responses such as "Not Applicable" are unacceptable without substantive explanation. All budget line items must clearly connect to project activities and goals. The template includes cross-references to SF-424a federal forms and notes that organizations without existing NICRA agreements may request indirect costs using a 15% de minimis rate applied to modified total direct costs. This template serves as a standardized tool for applicants proposing workforce development and innovation programs through American Spaces in Vietnam, targeting university students, educators, and early-career professionals in areas such as English proficiency, artificial intelligence, coding, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.

Budget Narrative

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Applicant Organization Information (AOI) Survey_Optional.docx DOCX document
Proposal Template_ASVN.docx DOCX document
FY26 American Spaces Vietnam NOFO.pdf PDF

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Sheet5

Instructions: This Budget Narrative Sample Template should be filled out in its entirety. Any information that is included in blue text should be deleted prior to submitting this document as the "Budget Narrative" attachment. It is only included as guidance for sample text or suggested information. Costs listed in any category below should include an explanation of how the requested funds will be used to support the proposed project, whether it be federal or a non-federal/match cost. Please note that the response “Not Applicable,” or “N/A,” is generally not acceptable. Instead, a sufficient explanation should be provided in either the proposal narrative or within each field to explain why an item is not applicable.
Organization Name, Period of Performance
1. Personnel

(Description: An employee of the organization whose work is tied to the proposed project. Please indicate the full monthly or yearly salary, pro rate amount based on % of time to be devoted to the project, and your or another organization's input (if any).

PositionName of EmployeeAnnual Salary/ RateLevel of Effort (%)Amount requested
(Salary x LOE)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Ex: Program DirectorJohn Doe$164,89010.00%$16,489$ 16,489.00
Ex: Project CoordinatorTBD$46,276100.00%$46,276$ 46,276.00
1.a Personnel Sub-Total$ 62,765.00$ - 0$ 62,765.00
Narrative Justification Enter a description of the Personnel funds requested and how their use will support the purpose and goals of your proposal. Be sure to describe the role, responsibilities, and unique qualification of each position.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 1.a in Section B Column 1 line 6a of the form.

2. Fringe Benefits (Description: May include contributions for social security, employee insurance, pension plans, etc. Only those benefits not included in an organizations indirect cost rate agreement (i.e., NICRA) may be shown as direct costs)

Item DescriptionWageRateAmount requested
(Wage x Rate)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Ex: FICA$ 62,765.007.65%$4,802$4,802
Ex: Workers Compensation$ 62,765.002.50%$1,569$1,569
Ex: Health Benefits$ 62,765.002.50%$1,569$1,569
2.a Fringe Benefits Sub-Total$ 7,939.77$ - 0$7,940
Narrative Justification: Enter a description of the Fringe funds requested, how the rate was determined, and how their use will support the purpose and goals of this proposal.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 2.a in Section B Column 1 line 6b of the form.

3. Travel (Description: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. Must follow U.S. Government regulations. The lowest available commercial fares for coach or equivalent accommodations must be used. Local travel policies prevail.)
Purpose of TravelItem DescriptionUnit of MeasureCost Per Unit/RateNumber of UnitsAmount requested (Federal share)
(Cost Per Unit x No. of Units)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Ex: Leadership TrainingAirfare--Origin: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Yemen, and/or Oman; Destination: Amman, JordanRoundtrip Airfare$ 500.0020$10,000$ 10,000.00
Lodging in Amman for 20 participants for 3 days (U.S. Government allowable rate)day$ 183.0060$10,980$ 10,980.00
Meals and Incidentals for 20 participants for 3 days (M&IE--U.S. Government allowable rate))day$ 127.0060$7,620$ 7,620.00
Ex: Local TravelLocal travel in Amman, Jordan for 20 participants for 3 daysday$ 500.003$1,500$ 1,500.00
3.a Travel Sub-Total$ 30,100$ - 0$ 30,100.00
Narrative Justification:

Describe the Purpose of Travel and how costs were determined.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 3.a in Section B Column 1 line 6c of the form.

4. Equipment (Description: Permanent equipment is defined as non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more.)
Item DescriptionCategoryUnit of MeasureCost Per Unit/RateNumber of UnitsAmount requested (Federal share)
(Cost Per Unit x No. of Units)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
None
4.a Equipment Sub-Total$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Narrative Justification:

Enter a description of the Equipment and how its purchase will support the purpose and goals of this proposal.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 4.a in Section B Column 1 line 6d of the form.

5. Supplies (Description: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. Materials costing less than $10,000 per unit and often having one-time use.)
Item DescriptionUnit of MeasureCost Per UnitNumber of UnitsAmount requested (Federal share)
(Cost Per Unit x No. of Units)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Ex: General Office Suppliesmonth$ 50.0012$600$ 600
Ex: Laptop1$ 900.001$900$ 900
5.a Supplies Sub-Total$ 1,500$ 1,500
Narrative Justification: Enter a description of the Supplies match provided and how their purchase will support the purpose and goals of this proposal. Be sure to describe how your matching funds will help sustain and enhance your federal budget request.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 4.a in Section B Column 1 line 6d of the form.

6. Contractual (Description: The costs of project activities to be undertaken by a third-party contractor should be included in this category as a single line item charge. A complete itemization of the cost should be attached to the budget. If there is more than one contractor, each must be budgeted separately and must have an attached itemization.)
Item DescriptionUnit of MeasureCost Per UnitNumber of UnitsAmount requested (Federal share)
(Cost Per Unit x No. of Units)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Consultant - Ex: Jane Smith/Leadership Training Expertday$35012$4,200$ 4,200
Consultant - Ex: TBD/Monitoring and Evaluation Expertday$27512$3,300$ 3,300
Contract - Ex. Sub-Award to Jordanian NGO (budget and terms TBD)award agreement$10,0001$10,000$ 10,000
6.a Contractual Sub-Total$ 17,500$ 17,500
Narrative Justification: Explain the need for each agreement and how their use will support the purpose and goals of this proposal. For those contracts already arranged, please provide the proposed categorical budgets. For those subcontracts that have not been arranged, please provide the expected Statement of Work, Period of Performance and how the proposed costs were estimated and the type of contract (bid, sole source…etc).
7. Construction: Not Allowable
SF-424a Note: Leave this section blank in Section B Column 1 & 2 line 6g of the form

8. Other Direct Costs Describe other costs directly associated with the project, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Item DescriptionUnit of MeasureCost Per UnitNumber of UnitsAmount requested (Federal share)
(Cost Per Unit x No. of Units)Non-Federal Match or Cost ShareTotal cost
Ex: Office Telephonemonth$10012$1,200$ 1,200.00
Ex: Amman hotel conference room rental for trainingday$8003$2,400$ 2,400.00
8.a Other Direct Costs Sub-Total$ 3,600$ - 0$ 3,600.00
Narrative Justification:

Explain the need for each item and how their use will support the purpose and goals of this proposal. Be sure to break down costs into cost/unit and explain the use of each item requested.

SF-424a Note: Enter the total cost of 8.a in Section B Column 1 line 6h of the form.

Amount RequestedCost-ShareTotal Direct Costs
9. Total Direct Costs$ 123,404.77$ - 0$ 123,404.77

10. Indirect Costs Description: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the project activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

TypeRate%Applicable ToTotal Indirect Costs (Federal Share of Total Direct Costs x indirect cost rate)
Ex. Predetermined, fixed, or provisional (NICRA)13.75%All Programs$ 16,968.16
Ex. 15% de minimis rate15%Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC)

11. Total Costs (Sum of the Total Direct and Indirect Costs) $ 140,372.93 $ - 0 $ 140,372.93

BUDGET SUMMARY

Budget CategoriesFederal Request (Cost)Official Cost Share OnlyTotal
1. Personnel$ 62,765.00$ - 0$ 62,765.00
2. Fringe Benefits$ 7,939.77$ - 0$ 7,939.77
3. Travel$ 30,100.00$ - 0$ 30,100.00
4. Equipment$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
5. Supplies$ 1,500.00$ - 0$ 1,500.00
6. Contractual$ 17,500.00$ - 0$ 17,500.00
7. Constructionnot allowednot allowednot allowed
8. Other Direct Costs$ 3,600.00$ - 0$ 3,600.00
9. Total Direct Costs (lines 1-8)$ 123,404.77$ - 0$ 123,404.77
10. Indirect Costs (reflect provisional, pre-determined rate and allocation base)$ 16,968.16$16,968.16
11. Total Costs (lines 9-10)$ 140,372.93$ - 0$ 140,372.93

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