How to Develop a Budget
Please be advised that the training content reflects EPA grants policy at the time of the training development prior to the October 1, 2024 revisions to the 2 CFR 200 guidance.
This online training course is designed to introduce EPA grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of grant budget development. The training may be used by applicants and recipients of EPA funds when preparing proposed work plans, budgets, and budget narratives for EPA grants. Throughout this training, the term grant is used as a general term to refer to both grants and cooperative agreements.
The course is divided into separate modules that can be completed individually. If you need to leave a module, the last slide to be completed will be saved, and you will be able to return to that location later.
The current course, published in February 2024, features audio.
Course Modules
Module 1: General Principles and Considerations
Provides an introduction to key principles that must be considered when developing a budget for an EPA financial assistance award opportunity, including details about required forms and cost allowability.
Approximately 35 minutes | Launch
Module 2: Direct Costs
Summarizes the different direct cost categories on the Standard 424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs) Form and outlines the procedures that must be followed when preparing and calculating direct costs for proposed work plans, budgets and budget narratives for EPA financial assistance agreements.
Approximately 60 minutes | Launch
Module 3: Other Direct Costs
Provides guidance on how to identify and calculate the other direct costs that do not fit into any of the specific budget categories on the SF-424A Form for an EPA financial assistance agreement.
Approximately 20 minutes | Launch
Module 4: Indirect Costs
Defines and provides examples of indirect costs and explains how to calculate them for inclusion in the budget for an EPA financial assistance agreement.
Approximately 15 minutes | Launch
Text Versions
Each of the modules is also available as a text version.
- Module 1: General Principles and Considerations (docx)
- Module 2: Direct Costs (docx)
- Module 3: Other Direct Costs (docx)
- Module 4: Indirect Costs (docx)
Related Training
EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients: This online training course is designed to introduce EPA grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of the entire grant life cycle, from preparation of an application through grant closeout.