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2015 National Service and Civic Engagement Research Competition 

Deadline: July 16th, 2015

OMB Control Number 3045-0129 Expiration Date: 1/31/2018

IMPORTANT NOTICES 

These application instructions conform to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) 

online grant application system, eGrants. All CNCS funding announcements are posted on 

www.nationalservice.gov and www.grants.gov. 

Public Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to 

average 8 hours per submission, including reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data 

needed, and completing the application and reporting forms. Comments on the burden or content of this 

instrument may be sent to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Attn: Amy Borgstrom, 

1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20525. CNCS informs people who may respond to this 

collection of information that they are not required to respond to the collection of information unless the 

OMB control number and expiration date displayed on page 1 are current and valid. (See 5 C.F.R. 

1320.5(b)(2)(i).) 

Privacy Act Notice: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C § 552a) requires that the following notice be 

provided to you: The information requested on the these Application Instructions is collected pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. 12592 and 12615 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended, and 42 

U.S.C. 4953 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended. Purposes and Uses - The 

information requested is collected for the purposes of reviewing grant applications and granting funding 

requests. Routine Uses - Routine uses may include disclosure of the information to federal, state, or local 

agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. In some programs, the information may also be 

provided to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to determine the existence of any prior 

criminal convictions. The information may also be provided to appropriate federal agencies and 

contractors that have a need to know the information for the purpose of assisting the to respond to a 

suspected or confirmed breach of the security or confidentiality or information maintained in this system 

of records, and the information disclosed is relevant and unnecessary for the assistance. Effects of 

Nondisclosure - The information requested is mandatory in order to receive benefits. 

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act: Award recipients will be required to report at 

www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over $25,000 and may be required to report on executive compensation 

for recipients and subrecipients. Recipients must have the necessary systems in place to collect and report 

this information. See 2 C.F.R. Part 170 for more information and to determine how these requirements 

apply. 

Universal Identifier: Applications must include a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System 

(DUNS) number and an Employer Identification Number. All award recipients are required to maintain a 

valid registration with the System for Award Management (SAM), which must be renewed annually. 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

I. Application Resources ................................................................................................................2

II. Submitting your Application in eGrants ................................................................................2

III. Application Components ........................................................................................................3

IV. Reporting Requirements ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Certifications and Assurances ......................................................................................................7

Budget Worksheet ....................................................................................................................... 15

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

I. Application Resources

Use these instructions in conjunction with the Notice of Federal Funding Availability (Notice).

The Notice includes deadlines, eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and other 

information that changes year-to-year for CNCS grant programs. 

If there is any inconsistency between the Notice and the Application Instructions, the Notice 

takes precedence over the Application Instructions. 

II. Submitting your Application in eGrants

Applicants need to establish an eGrants account by accessing this link: 

https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp and selecting “Don’t have an eGrants account? 

Create an account.” If you need help establishing a new organization account in eGrants, or a 

new user account for an existing organization account, contact the National Service Hotline at 

800-942-2677. 

After you create your eGrants account, begin by selecting “New” under the Creating an 

Application heading on your Home Page. Select “Other” as the Program Area and click “Go.” 

You will then be asked to select the appropriate competition. Choose: 2015 National Service 

and Civic Engagement Research Competition. Once you create an application, you will be 

allowed to edit as needed until you are ready to submit. 

Do not use the New button again as this will start a brand new application. Once you have 

initiated an application, it will be listed in the View My Grants/Applications section of the 

homepage under the status: Grantee Edit of Application or Report. If you exit and then return to 

eGrants and wish to continue entering or editing your application, please open your saved 

version by selecting View My Grants/Applications in the status Grantee Edit of Application or 

Report.
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III. Application Components

The completed application will consist of the following components, described in more detail 

below: 

A. Standard Form 424 

B. Executive Summary 

C. Narratives: 

1. Program Design 

a.Research Objectives, Background, and Conceptual Framework 

b.Research Design and Work Plan 

c.Dissemination Plan 

2. Organizational Capability 

3. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 

D. Budget 

E. Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications 

A. Standard Form 424 

You can find the Standard Form (SF) 424 and instructions here: 

http://www.grants.gov/agencies/forms_instruction_information.jsp. 

Applications must include a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 

number on the Standard Form 424. 

Please note that the SF-424 is automatically generated by completing the data elements in the 

eGrants system. When completing the application in eGrants, many of the fields will be 

populated with information entered during the organization’s registration process.

1. Applicant Info 

Please note that the Authorized Representative name is blank. You cannot select a name for this 

field. Instead, the Authorized Representative must establish his/her own account to click on the 

Assurances and Certifications at the end of the application, as well as sign the documents 

electronically. The Authorized Representative is the person within your organization authorized 

to accept and commit funds on behalf of the organization. 

Under Project Information select, “Enter New” and choose a title for the proposed project. It is 

possible to enter another address for the project, which may or not be the same as that of the 

Legal Applicant. 

Select a Project Initiative: Choose the model which best describes your 2015 National Service 

and Civic Engagement Research Competition application from the options provided.

To select an individual as the Project Director, choose a name from the pull-down menu or add a 

new contact. 
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2. Application Info 

Areas affected by the project: Enter N/A 

Enter the dates for the proposed project start and end dates. Your project period is up to 3 years 

and must begin no later than October 1, 2015

Delinquent on any federal debt: Check the appropriate box. This question applies to the 

applicant organization, not the person who signs as the Authorized Representative. Categories of 

debt include delinquent audit allowances, loans, and taxes. If 'Yes', type your explanation in the 

text box provided. 

State Application Identifier: Enter N/A. 

B. Executive Summary 

Summarize your proposed project in 2,000 characters or less. Executive summaries for all 

applications will be made public and posted to the CNCS website. 

C. Narratives 

The page count for the application will be specified in the Notice. CNCS strongly encourages 

applicants to print out the application from the “Review and Submit” page before submitting it, 

in order to make sure it is within the page limit. 

Please include the following elements in your narrative: 

Program Design 

 Research Objectives, Background, and Conceptual Framework: 

Describe the objectives of the research project and any hypotheses to be tested or 

relationships and concepts to be explored. Describe how the objectives are aligned with 

the funding priorities described in the Notice, and how the objectives are relevant 

practitioners, policymakers, and existing research. Describe background information and 

prior research, including relevant citations, to provide adequate context for the research 

objectives. CNCS does not have a preferred citation method. Describe the theoretical or 

conceptual framework that guides the research. 

 Research Design and Work Plan: 

Describe a design and work plan that includes: 

o Definition of the population under study. 

o Data sources and data collection methods, including proposed sampling strategy if 

primary data will be collected, and any anticipated challenges or limitations to the 

data. 

o Quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies to analyze the data, how the 

methods will address the objectives, and limitations to the methods. 

o Estimated schedule of major steps in the study. 

 Dissemination Plan: 

Describe the plan to disseminate research findings, including potential venues for 

publications and presentations. Applicants are encouraged to consider a range of venues 

including traditional academic journals and conferences. 
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Organizational Capability

Describe relevant experience of the project director and project staff, including their 

experience with the data collection methods and research methods, and any background 

work related to the research objectives. Please submit by the application deadline the 

curricula vitae and a list of publications of the principal investigator(s)/project director(s) 

and key project staff as additional documents to NationalServiceResearch@cns.gov.

Describe the experience of the project team in managing research projects of similar size 

and scope as the proposed project. Describe experience in disseminating research results 

through a variety of formats and venues, and engaging policymakers, practitioners, 

researchers, and the general public. Describe the ability of the applicant to manage 

Federal grants, financial management practices, and experience managing previous 

research grants. 

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 

Describe how the budget supports the research design and work plan. Describe how the 

project represents a cost effective means to address the research objectives and the 

funding priorities outlined in this Notice. A detailed budget is not required for years two 

and three (if applicable), however, a budget estimate for each year of the project is 

required. Describe any funding match, including sources and amounts. 

Matching Funds: The Notice includes specific information about match. If you plan on 

having a match, list your planned sources of match.

D. Budget

Please see Budget Instructions in Attachment B.

E. Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications.

Authorize and certify your application in eGrants. eGrants requires that you review and verify 

your entire application before submitting, by completing the following sections in eGrants: 

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Review 

Authorize 

Assurances 

Certifications 

Verify 

Submit 
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Read the Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications carefully (Attachment A). The person 

who authorizes the application must be the applicant’s Authorized Representative or his/her 

designee and must have an active eGrants account to sign these documents electronically. An 

Authorized Representative is the person in your organization authorized to accept and commit 

funds on behalf of the organization. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this 

official representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.

Be sure to check your entire application to make sure that there are no errors before submitting it. 

eGrants will also generate a list of errors if there are sections that need to be corrected prior to 

submission when you verify the application. If someone else is acting in the role of the 

applicant’s Authorized Representative, that person must log into his/her eGrants account to 

proceed with Authorize and Submit. After signing off on the Authorization, Assurances, and 

Certifications, his/her name will override any previous signatory that may appear and show on 

the application as the Authorized Representative.

Note: Anyone within your organization who will be entering information in the application at 

any point during application preparation and submission in the eGrants system must have 

their own eGrants account. Individuals may establish an eGrants account by accessing this link: 

https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp and selecting “Don’t have an eGrants account? 

Create an account.”
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ATTACHMENTS 

Attachment A. Certifications and Assurances 

Instructions 

By signing and submitting this application, as the duly authorized representative of the applicant, you certify that the 

applicant will comply with the Assurances and Certifications described below. 

a) Inability to certify 

Your inability to provide the assurances and certifications listed below will not necessarily result in denial of a grant. You 

must submit an explanation of why you cannot do so. We will consider your explanation in determining whether to enter 

into this transaction. However, your failure to furnish an explanation will disqualify your application. 

b) Erroneous certification or assurance 

The assurances and certifications are material representations of fact upon which we rely in determining whether to enter 

into this transaction. If we later determine that you knowingly submitted an erroneous certification or assurance, in addition 

to other remedies available to the federal government, we may terminate this transaction for cause or default. 

c) Notice of error in certification or assurance 

You must provide immediate written notice to us if at any time you learn that a certification or assurance was erroneous 

when submitted or has become erroneous because of changed circumstances. 

d) Definitions 

The terms “covered transaction”, “debarred”, “suspended”, “ineligible”, “lower tier covered transaction”, “participant”, 

“person”, “primary covered transaction”, “principal”, “proposal”, and “voluntarily excluded” as used in this clause, have the

meanings set out in the Definitions and Coverage sections of the rules implementing Executive Order 12549. An applicant 

shall be considered a “prospective primary participant in a covered transaction” as defined in the rules implementing 

Executive Order 12549. You may contact us for assistance in obtaining a copy of those regulations. 

e) Assurance requirement for subgrant agreements 

You agree by submitting this proposal that if we approve your application you shall not knowingly enter into any lower tier 

covered transaction with a person who is debarred, suspended, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation 

in this covered transaction, unless authorized by us. 

f) Assurance inclusion in subgrant agreements 

You agree by submitting this proposal that you will obtain an assurance from prospective participants in all lower tier 

covered transactions and in all solicitations for lower tier covered transactions that the participants are not debarred, 

suspended, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the covered transaction. 

g) Assurance of subgrant principals 

You may rely upon an assurance of a prospective participant in a lower-tier covered transaction that is not debarred, 

suspended, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the covered transaction, unless you know that the assurance is erroneous. 

You may decide the method and frequency by which you determine the eligibility of your principals. You may, but are not 

required to, check the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs. 

h) Non-assurance in subgrant agreements 

If you knowingly enter into a lower tier covered transaction with a person who is suspended, debarred, ineligible, or 

voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction, in addition to other remedies available to the federal government, 

we may terminate this transaction for cause or default. 

i) Prudent person standard 

Nothing contained in the aforementioned may be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render 

in good faith the assurances and certifications required. Your knowledge and information is not required to exceed that 

which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings. 

ASSURANCES 

 

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the applicant: 
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Has the legal authority to apply for federal assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability 

(including funds sufficient to pay the non-federal share of project costs) to ensure proper planning, management, and 

completion of the project described in this application. 

Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States, and if appropriate, the state, through any 

authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the 

award; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or 

agency directives. 

Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their position for a purpose that constitutes or presents the 

appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain. 

Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency. 

Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards 

for merit systems for programs funded under one of the nineteen statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of 

OPM’s Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 CFR 900, Subpart F). 

Will comply with all federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: Title VI of the 

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin; (b) 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686). which prohibits 

discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), 

which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability (d) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 

U.S.C. 6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; (e) The Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act 

of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) The Comprehensive 

Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, 

relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) sections 523 and 527 of the Public Health 

Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. 290dd-3 and 290ee-3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug 

abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to 

nondiscrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the National 

and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended; and (j) the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) 

which may apply to the application. 

Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance 

and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of 

persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of federal or federally assisted programs. These 

requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of federal participation in 

purchases. 

Will comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political 

activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds. 

Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C 276a and 276a-77), the Copeland 

Act (40 U.S.C 276c and 18 U.S.C. 874), and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327-333), 

regarding labor standards for Federally assisted construction sub-agreements. 

Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster 

Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires the recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the 

program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more. 

Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of 

environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and 

Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands 

pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of 

project consistency with the approved state management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act 

of 1972 (16 U.S.C 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under 

Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground 

sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-523); and (h) protection of 

endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93-205). 

Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C 1271 et seq.) related to protecting components or 

potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. 
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Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 

1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the 

Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16U.S.C. 469a-l et seq.). 

Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development, and 

related activities supported by this award of assistance. 

Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) 

pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other activities 

supported by this award of assistance. 

Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use 

of lead based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures. 

Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 

1984, as amended, and OMB Uniform guidance at 2 CFR 200 and CNCS’s implementing regulations. 

Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, application 

guidelines, and policies governing this program. 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Certification – Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters 

This certification is required by the government-wide regulations implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment 

and Suspension, 2 CFR Part 180, Section 180.335, What information must I provide before entering into a covered 

transaction with a Federal agency? 

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that neither 

the applicant nor its principals: 

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Is presently excluded or disqualified; 

Has been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in § 180.800(a) or 

had a civil judgment rendered against it for one of those offenses within that time period; 

Is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, 

State, or local) with commission or any of the offenses listed in § 180.800(a); or

Has had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated within the preceding three 

years for cause or default. 

Certification – Drug Free Workplace 

This certification is required by the Corporation’s regulations implementing sections 5150-5160 of the Drug-Free Workplace 

Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-690), 45 CFR Part 2545, Subpart B. The regulations require certification by grantees, prior to award, 

that they will make a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, to maintain a drug-free workplace. The certification set out 

below is a material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed when the agency determines to award the 

grant. False certification or violation of the certification may be grounds for suspension of payments, suspension or 

termination of grants, or government-wide suspension or debarment (see 2 CFR Part 180, Subparts G and H). 

As the duly authorized representative of the grantee, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the grantee will 

provide a drug-free workplace by: 

A. Publishing a drug-free workplace statement that: 

a. Notifies employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled 

substance is prohibited in the grantee’s workplace;

b. Specifies the actions that the grantee will take against employees for violating that prohibition; and 

c. Informs employees that, as a condition of employment under any award, each employee will abide by the 

terms of the statement and notify the grantee in writing if the employee is convicted for a violation of a 

criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace within five days of the conviction; 

B. Requiring that a copy of the statement described in paragraph (A) be given to each employee who will be engaged in 

the performance of any Federal award; 
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C. Establishing a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about: 

a. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace; 

b. The grantee’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace; 

c. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and 

d. The penalties that the grantee may impose upon them for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace; 

D. Providing us, as well as any other Federal agency on whose award the convicted employee was working, with written 

notification within 10 calendar days of learning that an employee has been convicted of a drug violation in the 

workplace; 

E. Taking one of the following actions within 30 calendar days of learning that an employee has been convicted of a drug 

violation in the workplace: 

a. Taking appropriate personnel action against the employee, up to and including termination; or 

b. Requiring that the employee participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program 

approved for these purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate 

agency; 

F. Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of paragraphs (A) 

through (E). 

 

 

Certification - Lobbying Activities 

As required by Section 1352, Title 31 of the U.S. Code, as the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I certify, to the best 

of my knowledge and belief, that: 

 No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the applicant, to any person for 

influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer of 

Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract, the making of any federal loan, the entering into 

of any cooperative agreement, or modification of any federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; 

 If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or 

attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of 

Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this federal contract, grant, loan, or 

cooperative agreement, the applicant will submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in 

accordance with its instructions; 

 The applicant will require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all 

subcontracts at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans and cooperative 

agreements) and that all subrecipients will certify and disclose accordingly. 

 

Certification - Grant Review Process (State Commissions Only) 

I certify that in conducting our review process, we have ensured compliance with the National and Community Service Act of 

1990, the Corporation's peer review requirements, and all state laws and conflict of interest rules. 

ASSURANCES AND CERTIFICATIONS

NOTE: Sign this form and include in the application. 

ASSURANCE SIGNATURE 

By signing this assurances page, you certify that you agree to perform all actions and support all 

intentions in the Assurances section. 

Organization Name:

Program Name: 

Name and Title of Authorized Representative: 

Signature: 

Date: 
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NOTE: Sign this form and include in the application. 

CERTIFICATION SIGNATURE 

By signing this certification page, you certify that you agree to perform all actions and support all 

intentions in the Certification sections of this application. The three Certifications are: 

Certification: Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters 

Certification: Drug-Free Workplace 

Certification: Lobbying Activities 

Organization Name:

Program Name: 

Name and Title of Authorized Representative: 

Signature: 

Date: 
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Attachment B: Budget Instructions

Before You Begin: In eGrants, the preparation of a detailed budget provides the data that creates the 

summary budget and the budget narrative. Your detailed budget should provide a full explanation of 

associated costs including their purpose, justification, and the basis of your calculations. Where 

appropriate, your calculations should be presented in an equation format, identifying the number of 

persons involved with the event, the per person/unit cost, and/or the annual salary cost. 

Use the Budget Worksheet as a guide as you prepare your budgets. 

SECTION I 

A. Personnel Expenses – Include the portion of principal staff time attributed directly to the 

operation of the project. List each staff position and a brief statement of responsibilities for each 

in the ‘Position/Title’ field. For each position, also include the annual salary, and the percentage 

of staff time that will apply to the grant. 

B. Personnel Fringe Benefits – Include costs of benefit(s) for your project staff. You can identify 

and calculate each benefit or show cost as a percentage of all salaries. 

C. Project Staff Travel - Describe the purposes for staff travel. Costs allowable are transportation, 

lodging, subsistence, and other related expenses for local and outside the project area travel. 

D. Equipment – Equipment is defined as tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful 

life of more than one year AND an acquisition cost of $5,000 (five thousand) or more per unit 

(including accessories, attachments, and modifications). Include items that do not meet this definition 

in E. Supplies below. Purchases of equipment are limited to 10% of the total grant amount, i.e., the 

federal share of all budget line items. If applicable, show the unit cost and number of units you are 

requesting. 

E. Supplies – Include the funds for the purchase of consumable supplies and materials that does not fit 

the definition above. You must individually list any single item costing $1,000 (one thousand) or 

more. 

F. Contractual and Consultant Services - You may include costs for consultants related to the 

project’s operations. Consultants used for evaluation should be included in H. Evaluation

below. Where applicable, indicate the daily rate for consultants. 

G. Training – You may include the costs associated with training of staff working directly on the 

project, especially training that specifically enhances staff project implementation and 

professional skills. 

H. Evaluation - Include costs for project evaluation activities, such as use of evaluation 

consultants, purchase of instrumentation and other costs specifically for this activity. Indicate 

daily rates of consultants, where applicable. 

I. Other – These costs may include office space rental, utilities, and telephone and Internet 

expenses that are specifically used for participants, directly involve project staff, and are not part 

of the organization’s indirect cost/admin cost. If shared with other projects or activities, you 

must prorate the costs equitably. List each item and provide a justification in the budget. 
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J. Indirect Costs 

1. Definitions 

Administrative costs are general or centralized expenses of overall administration of an organization 

that receives Corporation funds and does not include particular project costs. For organizations that 

have an established indirect cost rate for federal awards, administrative costs mean those costs that 

are included in the organization’s indirect cost rate. Such costs are generally identified with the 

organization’s overall operation and are further described in Office of Management and Budget 

Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR Parts 200. For organizations that do not have an established indirect 

cost rate for federal awards, administrative costs include: 

1. costs are financial, accounting, auditing, contracting or general legal services, except in 

unusual cases whether they are specifically approved in writing by the Corporation as project 

costs; 

2. costs for internal evaluation, including overall organization’s management improvement costs 

(except for independent and internal evaluations of the project evaluations that are 

specifically related to creative methods of quality improvement); and 

3. costs for general liability insurance that protects the organization(s) responsible for operating 

a project, other than insurance costs solely attributable to the project. 

Administrative costs may also include that portion of salaries and benefits of the project’s director 

and other administrative staff not attributable to the time spent in support of a specific project. The 

principles that pertain to the allocation and documentation of personnel costs are set out in the OMB 

cost circulars and regulations referenced above, which are incorporated in the Corporation’s 

regulations at 45 CFR 2541.220(b) and 2543.27. 

Administrative costs do not include the following allowable expenses directly related to a project 

(including their operations and objectives), such as: 

1. allowable direct charges for AmeriCorps members (if applicable), including living 

allowances, insurance payments made on behalf of members training and travel; 

2. costs for staff (including salary, benefits, training and travel) who recruit, train, place or 

supervise AmeriCorps members (if applicable) or who develop materials used in such 

activities, if the purpose is for a specific project objective; 

3. costs for independent evaluations and any internal evaluations of the project that are related 

specifically to creative methods of quality improvement; 

4. costs, excluding those already covered in an organization’s indirect cost rate, attributable to 

staff that work in a direct project support, operational, or oversight capacity, including, but 

not limited to: support staff whose functions directly support project activities; staff who 

coordinate and facilitate single or multi-site project activities; and staff who review, 

disseminate and implement Corporation guidance and policies directly relating to a project; 

5. space, facility and communications costs that primarily support project operations, excluding 

those costs that are already covered by an organization’s indirect costs rate; and 

6. other allowable costs, excluding those costs that are already covered by an organization’s 

indirect cost rate, specifically approved by the Corporation as directly attributable to a 

project. 

2. Calculating Administrative/Indirect Costs 
14

Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate Method 

If you have a federally approved indirect cost (IDC) rate you must use it unless authorized by the 

Corporation to use another method. Specify the Cost Type for which your organization has current 

documentation on file, i.e., Provisional, Predetermined, Fixed, or Final indirect cost rate. Supply 

your approved IDC rate (percentage). It is at your discretion whether or not to use your entire IDC 

rate to calculate administrative costs. If you choose to claim a lower rate, please include this rate 

under the Rate Claimed field. 

Determine the amount of direct costs to which you will apply the IDC rate, including both the 

Corporation and Grantee’s shares, as proscribed by your organization (i.e., based on salaries 

and benefits, total direct costs, or other). 

K. Source of Funds. If applicable, describe the grantee match contribution for Section II by clearly 

indicating the source(s), the type of contribution (cash/in-kind), the amount (or estimate), and the 

intended purpose of the match. You may enter this information in any category in the PurposeCalculation field. 
15

Budget Worksheet 

A. Personnel Expenses 

Position/Title/Description Qty Annual Salary % Time Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

B. Personnel Fringe Benefits 

Purpose/Description Calculation Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

C. Travel 

Purpose Calculation Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

D. Equipment 

Item/ Purpose/Justification Qty Unit Cost Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

E. Supplies 

Purpose Calculation Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

F. Contractual and Consultant Services 

Purpose Calculation Daily Rate Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

G. Training 
16

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

H. Evaluation 

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

I. Other Costs 

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

J. Administrative Costs 

Purpose Calculation Daily 

Rate Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share

Totals

Budget Total: Validate this budget

Required Match Percentages:

Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee 

Share

K. Source of Match 

Source(s), Type, Amount, Intended Purpose

Private State and/or Local Federal Sources

In-kind $ $ $ .

Cash $ $ $

Total $ $ $