Tribal Courts Assistance Program, FY 2004

Attachments

Budget Detail Worksheet (Attachment #1)

The applicant must provide a budget that (1) is complete, allowable, and cost effective in relation to the proposed activities, (2) shows cost calculations that demonstrate how the applicant arrived at the amount requested, and (3) provides a brief supporting budget narrative that links costs with project implementation. Please note that the budget should indicate the amount of any in-kind contributions or indirect donations to be contributed to the program.

Applicants must submit the budget worksheet and budget narrative in one file. The worksheet provides the detailed computation for each budget item (often in spreadsheet format). The narrative justifies or explains each budget item and relates it to project activities.

• Budget Worksheet. The budget worksheet must list the cost of each budget item and show how the cost was calculated. For example, costs for personnel should show the annual salary rate and the percentage of time devoted to the project for each employee to be paid through grant funds. Note: Total costs specified in the budget detail worksheet must match the total amount requested.
  
  
• Budget Narrative. The budget narrative should closely follow the content of the budget worksheet and justify all proposed costs. For example, the narrative should explain how fringe benefits were calculated, how travel costs were estimated, why particular items of equipment or supplies must be purchased, and how overhead or indirect costs (if applicable) were calculated. The budget narrative should justify the specific items listed in the budget worksheet (particularly supplies, travel, and equipment) and demonstrate that all costs are reasonable.

Tribes are encouraged to give special consideration to three budgetary items: travel, information technology, and personnel costs.

• Travel. Tribes are encouraged to allocate at least $20,000 over the project period to cover travel and miscellaneous costs associated with BJA-sponsored trainings and other meetings. BJA expects grant recipients to establish project advisory teams. Typically, three to five advisory team members participate in training seminars hosted by BJA and its technical assistance providers.
  
  
• Information Technology. If a tribe is planning to enhance its information technology system, all purchased equipment and software must be capable of supporting information sharing among justice systems and must be compliant with appropriate national standards.
  
  
• Personnel Costs. If a court-related position is established under the program, a tribe may charge 75 percent of the salary and fringe benefits for that position to the grant. In turn, the tribe or applicant is responsible for a cash match that provides 25 percent of the salary and fringe benefits. Total costs associated with salary and fringe benefits may not exceed 50 percent of the amount of the grant.

Use the sample budget detail worksheet as a guide to assist applicants in the preparation of the budget worksheet and budget narrative.

Program Narrative (Attachment #2)

The program narrative must be double spaced, use a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman preferred) with 1-inch margins, and not exceed 20 pages. (Please number pages "1 of 20," "2 of 20," and so forth.) The program narrative must respond to the selection criteria for the appropriate category. Submissions that do not adhere to the format will be deemed ineligible.

Other Program Attachments (Attachment #3)

This file must include the following materials:

• A project timeline containing each project goal, related objective, activity, expected completion date, and responsible person or organization.
  
  
• Letters of support and commitment or memorandums of understanding, where appropriate. If letters of support cannot be uploaded as part of Attachment #3, they may be faxed to 202-354-4147 by February 2, 2004. The applicant must include the application number that is assigned by GMS (e.g., 2004-F001-DC-IC) on all faxed documents.