We are pleased to introduce the Grant Application Budget Instrument (GABI). GABI is a Windows-based computer program designed to simplify and expedite the grant application process. 

The Head Start Bureau, as part of an ACYF-wide initiative to consolidate their grant approval systems, has revised its grant application process. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will make annual grant awards for 12-month periods to Head Start and Early Head Start grantees on a three-year grant application cycle. Applicants should submit a full project description, a budget and a budget narrative in the first year of each three-year grant cycle. Applicants should submit an abbreviated project description, a budget and a budget narrative in each of the subsequent two years. Contact your Regional Office to determine which grant cycle your agency has been assigned.

The Grant Application Budget Instrument (GABI) mirrors the paper application and allows grantees to submit their applications electronically. GABI can be used for both the full and abbreviated applications.

The GABI software is intended to assist grantees in several ways. It checks the application for possible errors and alerts grantees to aspects of their program which may not fit with the Head Start philosophy of best practices.

GABI was written in Borland Delphi 5, which uses Paradox tables, and reports are programmed using Report Builder. The software requires approximately 15 MB of hard disk space.

Updates to the GABI software are regularly posted on this site. Please wait until you are ready to begin your application before downloading the software so you can be sure to get the most recent version. If you have any questions about GABI, please call the Help Desk at 1-800-277-8552.