Budget and Budget Narrative (maximum of ten pages per state. Applicants should submit a budget with appropriate budget line items, as well as a narrative that identifies and describes the funding needed to accomplish the cooperative agreement’s goals. While developing their budgets, applicants should be cognizant of spending grant funds efficiently on higher-cost activities such as the one-to-one consumer interactions. For the budget recorded on form SF-424A, applicants should outline the total amount requested by line item category, as well as provide an overall total requested. The costs should be separately shown for the entire 12-month period of performance (See Appendix I, Guidance for Preparing a Budget Request and Narrative for more specific guidance on completing the SF-424A form (Budget Information – Non Construction)). The SF-424A must be fully completed. The Budget Narrative should provide a detailed cost breakdown for each line item outlined in the SF-424A, including a breakdown in costs for each activity/cost within the line item. The breakdown in the budget narrative should coincide with the breakdown in costs on the SF-424A. The proportion of the requested funding designated for each activity during the 12-month period of performance should be clearly defined and justify the applicant’s readiness to receive funding. This will include providing complete explanations and justifications for the proposed activities. Applicants must include specific salary rates, if planning to use cooperative agreement funds to pay for salaries27. The budget must separate out funding that is administered directly by the lead individual or entity from funding that will be provided to subrecipients, including consortium partners. If the applicant intends to serve multiple states, a separate Budget Narrative should be submitted for each state; however, only one SF-424A may be submitted and should include the total funds requested for each line item category for all Exchange states/service areas, as well as an overall total cooperative agreement request for all Exchange states/service areas. The costs for the full 12-month period of performance (including all Exchange states/service areas) shown on the SF- 424A should mirror the total requested on the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance. The Budget Narrative for each state should be no more than 10 pages in length. Additionally, all applicants should be prepared to revise their project scope and budget upon award if they are not funded to serve in all proposed Exchange ...
