Notices regarding the solicitation“NIJ FY23 Graduate Research Fellowship”

March 9, 2023: The transcript and presentation from a webinar discussing this 

opportunity are available for review. 

The original funding opportunity document begins on the next page.
OMB No. 1121-0329 

Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

NIJ FY23 Graduate Research Fellowship 

Assistance Listing Number #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2023-171521 

Solicitation Release Date:     January 25, 2023 2:00 PM ET  

Version:  2

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline:    April 25, 2023 11:59 PM ET  

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline:    May 02, 2023 8:59 PM ET 

Overview 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of 

Justice (NIJ) seeks applications for funding doctoral dissertation research that is relevant to 

preventing and controlling crime, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal and/ 

or juvenile justice in the United States. This program furthers the DOJ’s mission by increasing the 

pool of researchers who are engaged in providing science-based solutions to problems relevant to 

criminal and juvenile justice policy and practice in the United States. 

This solicitation incorporates guidance provided in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide 

which provides additional information for applicants to prepare and submit applications to OJP for 

funding. If this solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide, the applicant is to follow the guidelines in this solicitation as to that 

provision. 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Private institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 

An applicant entity may submit more than one application under this solicitation, but each 

application must propose sponsoring a different doctoral candidate’s dissertation research. 

Contact Information 

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the OJP Response Center at 

800-851-3420, 301-240-6310 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only), or grants@ncjrs.gov. The 

OJP Response Center operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time (ET) Monday–Friday, 

and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date. 

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O-NIJ-2023-171521 
Pre-application Information Session 

NIJ will hold a solicitation webinar on February 8, 2023 at 11:00am ET. This call will provide a 

detailed overview of the solicitation and allow an opportunity for interested applicants to ask 

questions. Preregistration is required for all participants. Register by clicking on this link https:// 

ojp.webex.com/ojp/onstage/g.php?MTID=e162022c6ac02bc41cd33b6b351a492b9 and following 

the instructions. To use the time most efficiently, NIJ encourages participants to review the 

solicitation and submit any questions they may have in advance and no later than February 6, 2023. 

Submit your questions to grf@usdoj.gov with the subject as “Questions for GRF Webinar.” 

Submission Information 

Registration: Before submitting an application, all applicants must register with the System for 

Award Management (SAM). You must renew and validate your registration every 12 months. If you 

do not renew your SAM registration, it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent 

application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants. Registration and renewal can take up to 10 

business days to complete. 

Submission: Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step process via 

Grants.gov and JustGrants. 

Step 1: The applicant must submit by the Grants.gov deadline the required Application for 

Federal Assistance standard form (SF-424) and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) 

form when they register in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Submit 

the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov 

deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, they will be unable to apply in JustGrants. 

For technical assistance with submitting the SF-424 and a SF-LLL in Grants.gov, contact the 

Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, Grants.gov Customer 

Support, or support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days 

a week, except on federal holidays. 

Step 2: The applicant must submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants at 

JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov by the JustGrants application deadline. 

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in JustGrants, contact the JustGrants 

Service Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. The JustGrants Service Desk 

operates 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday–Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and 

Federal holidays. 

OJP encourages applicants to review the “How To Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide and the JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training. 

Applicants should maintain all receipts and confirmations received from SAM.gov, Grants.gov, 

JustGrants systems. 

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Contents 

Overview 1 

Contact Information 1 

Pre-application Information Session 1 

Submission Information 2 

Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 8 

Priority Areas 9 

Federal Award Information 10 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 10 

Availability of Funds 10 

Type of Award 10 

Financial Management and System Controls 10 

Budget Information 11 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 11 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 11 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 12 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 12 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 12 

Grants.gov 

Information) 

(including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 

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Fellowship Terms 12 

Eligibility Information 13 

Application and Submission Information 13 

Content of Application Submission 13 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in 14 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 14 

Proposal Abstract 14 

Proposal Narrative 14 

Budget and Associated Documentation 16 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 17 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 17 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 17 

Consultant Rate 18 

Employee Compensation Waiver 18 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire 18 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 18 

Additional Application Components 18 

Letters of Support 18 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 18 
Bibliography/reference 18 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 

Application 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 18 

List of Individuals in the Application 19 

Human Subjects Protection 19 

Privacy Certificate 19 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 19 

Verification of Current Enrollment 19 

Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts 19 

Statement of Support 19 

Curriculum Vitae, Resumes, or Biosketches 20 

Personal Statement 20 

Project Timeline and Expected Milestones 20 

Current and Pending (Other) Support 20 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 20 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 20 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 20 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 20 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 20 

How to Apply 21 

Submission Dates and Time 21 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an 22 

Application Review Information 23 

Review Criteria 23 

Review Process 24 

Federal Award Administration Information 24 

Federal Award Notices 24 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 24 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 25 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 25 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 25 

Other Information 25 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 25 

Provide Feedback to OJP 25 

Performance Measures 25 

Application Checklist 26 

Standard Solicitation Resources 29 

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Program Description 

Overview 

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to 

justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens 

community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between 

law enforcement and the community. 

The Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) program provides grants to accredited academic 

institutions to support outstanding doctoral students whose dissertation research is relevant to 

criminal and/or juvenile justice. Applicant academic institutions are eligible to apply only if: 

1. The student is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the sciences or engineering. 

2. The student’s proposed dissertation research has demonstrable relevance to preventing 

and controlling crime, and/or ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal and/or 

juvenile justice, in the United States. 

NIJ will give special consideration to proposals with methods that include meaningful engagement 

with the people with lived experience of the subject of study, including but not limited to, justice 

practitioners, community members, crime victims, service providers and individuals who have 

experienced justice system involvement. Where applicable, NIJ also seeks proposals that include 

consideration and measurement of the issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, 

gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. 

Statutory Authority 

Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328, 136 Stat. 4459, 4538-4539 

and 4542-4543); Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (section 221); 28 U.S.C. 

530C. 

Specific Information 

Degree-granting academic institutions are encouraged to sponsor outstanding and promising 

doctoral students whose dissertation research has direct implications for preventing and controlling 

crime, and/or ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal and/or juvenile justice, in the 

United States. 

In prior years, NIJ posted separate solicitations for applicants in the social and behavioral sciences 

(GRF-SBS) and for those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (GRFSTEM). All eligible applicants are now invited to apply under this single funding opportunity 

(GRF), without distinction between SBS and STEM. NIJ anticipates continued support for 

graduate research from all branches of the sciences, and invites applications from eligible 

applicants regardless of degree program. Proposals will continue to be reviewed by panels of 

experts appropriate to the field of study. Clearly indicating the student’s degree program on the 

proposal narrative cover page will facilitate assignment to appropriate reviewers. 

To learn more about the program, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, go to https:// 

www.nij.ojp.gov/GRF. Look for information on a webinar scheduled for February 8, 2023. Webinar 

slides and a transcript will be posted after the event. 

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Awards are anticipated to be made to successful applicant institutions in the form of grants to cover 

fellowships for the sponsored doctoral students. Each fellowship provides up to three years of 

support usable within a five-year period. For each year of support, NIJ provides the degree-granting 

institution $40,500 for Salary and Fringe, up to $12,000 in Cost of Education Allowance, and up to 

$3,000 in Research Expenses (see Federal Award Information section). The award will be made for 

the entire cumulative fellowship amount (up to three years of funding). Although the award is made 

for the full amount, after the first year, each annual funding increment is withheld pending annual 

demonstration of continued enrollment and adequate progress towards the degree. 

Successful applicants must demonstrate clearly how the proposed dissertation research will 

advance criminal and/or juvenile justice practice and/or policy in the United States. Applicants 

contemplating research relevant to the forensic sciences may consider the problem areas 

highlighted by NIJ’s Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG), which identifies current 

technology challenges encountered in operational forensic science laboratories, as well as NIJ’s 

Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan. Additional research needs of the forensic science 

community can be found at the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) website. 

Applicants contemplating research on topics relevant to the other sciences, mathematics, or 

engineering in the areas of criminal or juvenile justice, victimization, or victims services, may 

consider the information provided here: Search | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov). 

Although the above priorities are provided as possible focus areas for proposed research, they 

should not be considered as limiting the range of eligible research. All eligible applicants proposing 

research with demonstrated relevance to criminal and/or juvenile justice practice and/or policy in the 

United States are invited to apply. 

Applicant Information 

The applicant under this solicitation will be a degree-granting academic institution in the United 

States or its territories. To be eligible, the academic institution of record must be fully accredited by 

one of the regional institutional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of 

Education. An applicant institution sponsoring a doctoral student is eligible to apply only if the 

doctoral student satisfies the Doctoral Student Eligibility Requirements. 

Applications from students who apply as individuals will be removed from consideration. 

The academic institution’s institution-wide research office (e.g., office of sponsored research) must 

submit an application electronically. The applicant institution must demonstrate that the sponsored 

graduate student is enrolled in a qualifying doctoral degree program at the time of application. This 

should take the form of a document from the Office of the Registrar, or an equivalent university- or 

college-wide office with the authority to verify status. A transcript may be accepted if it clearly 

indicates the student’s current full-time enrollment in the qualifying doctoral degree program. 

Doctoral Student Eligibility Requirements 

The graduate student must: 

1. Be currently enrolled full-time in a doctoral degree program in the sciences or engineering 

at the eligible academic institution. 

2. Propose a dissertation research topic that is relevant to addressing the challenges of crime, 

and/or the fair and impartial administration of criminal and/or juvenile justice, in the United 

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States. 

The doctoral student need not have a dissertation committee at the time the application is 

submitted, nor is it necessary for the student’s dissertation topic to have been accepted by the 

committee. However, if the application is selected for award, grant funds will be withheld until the 

applicant academic institution submits proof that the student’s dissertation topic has been accepted 

by the committee, and that it is substantively the same as that proposed in the application. 

If the doctoral student has an approved topic at the time of application, then it should be noted in a 

statement of support from the doctoral student’s dissertation committee chair (see Dissertation 

Committee Chair Requirements). 

If the doctoral student does not yet have a dissertation committee, or the dissertation topic has not 

yet been approved at the time of application, then the expected dates by which the doctoral student 

will meet these requirements should be indicated in the project timeline (see “Project Timeline and 

Expected Milestones” under Additional Application Components). In addition, the doctoral student’s 

faculty advisor, department chair, departmental director of graduate studies, or an individual with 

similar responsibilities, must submit a statement of support at the time of application. That statement 

of support should generally follow the outline provided below for the statement of support from the 

dissertation committee chair, including all relevant elements. 

Even though an award may be made, access to award funds will be withheld until the required 

documentation is received and approved by NIJ. NIJ anticipates that award notifications will be 

made on or before September 30, 2023. The applicant academic institution and the doctoral student 

are cautioned not to anticipate the availability of fellowship funds for meeting any necessary or 

required expenses until the requirements stipulated above have been met in full. Awarded 

applicants may receive fellowship funding only while the student is actively enrolled in the doctoral 

degree program and is carrying out research for the dissertation identified in the applicant’s funding 

application. 

Dissertation Committee Chair Requirements 

Although a fellowship may be awarded based on consideration of a letter of support from the faculty 

advisor, department chair, departmental director of graduate studies, or individual with similar 

responsibilities, NIJ must receive a signed statement of support from the sponsored student’s 

dissertation committee chair prior to authorizing the disbursement of award funds. If the dissertation 

committee has accepted the student’s topic at the time of application, that statement of support 

must be submitted as part of the application. If the topic has not been accepted by the time of 

application, it must be submitted as soon as is reasonable after the topic has been approved. The 

approved dissertation topic must remain substantively similar to that initially proposed. 

The statement of support should: 

Evaluate the student’s proposed project. 

Describe the current status of the proposed work. 

Outline any pending work — academic or otherwise — toward completion of the degree. 

Comment on the student’s potential to complete the dissertation. 

Describe the committee chair’s role in monitoring the project, and verify that the committee 

chair will review and approve all performance reports prior to submission to NIJ. 

An application that does not include the statement of support from (1) the dissertation 

committee chair or (2) the doctoral student’s faculty advisor, department chair, departmental 

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director of graduate studies, or individual with similar responsibilities, will be removed from 

consideration. 

For information on application elements designated as critical by NIJ under this solicitation, see 

Application and Submission Information. 

Evaluation Research 

If an application includes an evaluation research component (or consists entirely of evaluation 

research), the application is expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate 

for the research questions to be addressed. If the primary purpose of the evaluation is to determine 

the effectiveness or impact of an intervention (e.g., program, practice, or policy), the most rigorous 

evaluation designs may include random selection and assignment of participants (or other 

appropriate units of analysis) to experimental and control conditions. In cases where randomization 

is not feasible, applicants should propose a strong quasi-experimental design that can address the 

risk of selection bias. 

Applications that propose evaluation research should also include an implementation evaluation 

component to ensure that implementation fidelity metrics are collected and analyzed. Applicants are 

encouraged to propose research methods that give interim feedback on implementation fidelity to 

enable program providers to make ongoing improvements in program delivery. 

If an application proposes research (including research and development) and/or evaluation, the 

applicant must demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity through discussion of 

potential risks (if any) to independence and integrity, and appropriate safeguards, as required. 

NIJ also encourages applicants to consider the feasibility of including a cost/benefit analysis. In 

cases where evaluations find that interventions have produced the intended benefit, cost/benefit 

analysis provides valuable and practical information for practitioners and policymakers that aids 

decision-making. Evaluation research projects may also address a wide range of research 

questions beyond those focused on the effectiveness or impact of an intervention. Different 

research designs may be more appropriate for different research questions and at different stages 

of program development. The intervention strategies, setting, other contextual factors, and 

resources should be considered when selecting an evaluation design. 

In all cases, applications are expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate 

for the research questions to be addressed. Applicants are encouraged to review evidence-rating 

criteria at https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/about/how-we-review-and-rate-program-start-finish for 

further information on high-quality evaluation design elements. 

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 

Goals 

The ultimate goal of this program is to increase the pool of researchers who are engaged in 

providing solutions to problems relevant to criminal and/or juvenile justice policy and practice in the 

United States. Through the GRF program, NIJ supports the research of promising doctoral students 

as they train to become the creators of future innovation. This is consistent with the following 

national research and development (R&D) priorities: 

STEM Education and Engagement 

The training of the American workforce, a critical component of maintaining American 

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competitiveness, is a national priority. This program supports the training of young scientists 

capable of meeting future science and technology workforce demands. NIJ’s GRF program seeks to 

engage these emerging researchers to help meet the needs of America’s criminal and/or juvenile 

justice practitioners, while simultaneously developing their skills to contribute broadly to America’s 

research and development enterprise. 

Objectives 

The objective of this solicitation is to support Ph.D. students who are engaged in research relevant 

to NIJ’s mission to the successful completion of their degree programs. The fellowship stipend, cost 

of education allowance, and research expenses allowance are intended to provide the financial 

resources to allow these students to devote maximum effort to the completion of their degrees. 

Deliverables and Expected Scholarly Products 

Recipients of awards made under this solicitation will be required to submit annual and final 

performance reports, and quarterly financial reports, to NIJ by specified deadlines (see Federal 

Award Administration Information section). The final deliverables for awards under this solicitation 

are: 

A copy of the doctoral student’s defended dissertation. 

A list of scholarly products resulting from the dissertation research, as well as products 

developed for broad dissemination to informal audiences. 

Such scholarly products may take the form of peer-reviewed journal articles, indexed conference 

abstracts, book chapters or books in the academic press, technological prototypes, software, 

patented inventions, or similar scientific products. Products developed for broad dissemination to 

informal audiences may take the form of websites, webinars, podcasts, informational documents, 

online tools, or other similar products. 

NIJ may forward the dissertation for public archiving or abstracting at the National Criminal Justice 

Reference Service (NCJRS) Virtual Library. Any request for an embargo period on public archiving 

of the full text dissertation, or for abstracting only with a link to a full-text resource (such as a 

dissertation repository), must be made to the grant manager at the time of dissertation submission. 

GRF fellows are encouraged, but are not required, to archive their dissertation data in venues 

appropriate to their scientific communities. Applicants are encouraged to review NIJ’s Data 

Archiving page for information on archiving study datasets and appropriate data repositories, 

including the NIJ funded National Archive of Criminal Justice Data. 

The goals, objectives, and deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that show 

the completed work’s results, as discussed in the “Application and Submission Information” section. 

Priority Areas 

NIJ will give special consideration in award decisions to proposals from Minority Serving Institutions 

(MSIs). 

MSIs include: 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 

Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSI) 

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) 

Alaska Native-serving Institutions or Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (ANNH) 

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Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) 

Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institutions (AANAPISI) 

Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) 

Whether an institution is an MSI is based on the original purpose of its establishment or its current 

enrollment thresholds and is designated as such by the federal government for various purposes 

under specific statutes. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of Education's 

definitions and lists of institutions. (The lists are provided for reference purposes only; MSI status is 

not an eligibility criterion for this solicitation.) 

Note: Addressing this priority area is one of many factors that NIJ considers in making funding 

decisions. Receiving priority consideration for this priority area does not guarantee an award. 

Federal Award Information 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

20 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

$166,500.00 

Period of Performance Start Date Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

1/1/24 60 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded 

Under Solicitation 

$2,500,000.00 

Availability of Funds 

This solicitation, and awards under this solicitation, are subject to the availability of appropriated 

funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by the agency or by 

law. In addition, nothing in this solicitation is intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, 

substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its 

departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. 

Type of Award 

NIJ expects to make awards under this solicitation as grants. See the “Administrative, National 

Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for a 

brief discussion of important statutes, regulations, and award conditions that apply to many (or in 

some cases, all) OJP grants. 

Financial Management and System Controls 

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through 

entities) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, 

comply with standards for financial and program management. See the OJP Grant Application 

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Resource Guide for additional information. 

Budget Information 

The applicant’s budget should reflect the entire proposed project timeline of up to three years of 

funding, in discrete 12-month increments. The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) should 

reflect the cumulative funding request. 

Each year of support includes: 

1. $40,500 Salary and Fringe Benefits. 

2. Up to $12,000 Cost of Education Allowance. 

3. Up to $3,000 Research Expenses. 

The $40,500 Salary and Fringe Benefits budget category may include fringe benefits (if applicable) 

and health insurance, at the applicant institution’s discretion. Where possible, in accordance with 

institutional policy, academic institutions should account for the full amount of $40,500 when 

justifying the personnel expenses of the doctoral student. The Salary and Fringe category may not 

include support for any person other than the doctoral student. 

The $12,000 Cost of Education Allowance may include any combination of the doctoral student’s 

tuition, student fees, or university administrative or indirect costs. If the university elects not to use 

the entire $12,000 Cost of Education Allowance for tuition, fees, or administrative or indirect costs, 

the remaining portion may be used to supplement allowable expenses under the Research 

Expenses category. 

The $3,000 Research Expenses category may include research supplies, instrumental user facility 

time, incentives for human subjects participation, undergraduate research assistants, data collection 

site travel, conference travel, or professional society membership fees, among other allowable 

expenses during the award period of performance. 

All travel should be relevant, reasonable, and justified. As the goal of the GRF program is to support 

the development of new scholars, some conference travel early in the project period to attend and 

observe, rather than present original research, may be acceptable. International travel requires 

additional justification and prior approval. 

What will not be funded: 

Applications primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies, or to provide direct 

services. (A budget may include these items if they are necessary to conduct research, 

development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

Applications for dissertation research by doctoral students who are not pursuing research 

relevant to crime, and/or the fair and impartial administration of criminal and/or juvenile justice, 

in the United States. 

Applications that are not responsive to the purposes of this specific solicitation. 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

This solicitation does not require a match. 

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Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on pre-agreement costs (also 

known as pre-award costs). 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Limitation on Use of Award 

Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver. 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Prior Approval, Planning, and 

Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs. 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Costs Associated with Language 

Assistance. 

Fellowship Terms 

Each fellowship award will be for the entire fellowship term, as requested — up to a 60-month (five 

year) project period. The amount requested may not exceed three years of funding ($166,500 

maximum). Although the full amount is awarded up front, after the first year each annual funding 

increment is withheld pending receipt and approval by NIJ of: 

1.  Continued active enrollment in the doctoral degree program. 

2.  Verification (in the form of a signed letter from the dissertation committee chair) that the 

doctoral student is actively carrying out research and is making satisfactory progress toward the 

dissertation topic originally proposed (or substantively similar to that originally proposed). 

In general, award funding may be received only while the fellow is actively enrolled in the initially 

identified doctoral degree program and actively carrying out research toward their dissertation. 

Nevertheless, NIJ recognizes that maintaining career-life balance may sometimes require the 

temporary suspension of active research. Should such circumstances arise, including child birth, 

adoption, dependent care, elder care, and serious illness, the NIJ grant manager should be notified 

with a request approved by the university’s authorized representative. Award funds may be 

temporarily suspended, and the award period extended at no cost, at the discretion of NIJ. 

Dependent care expenses or paid time off for dependent care responsibilities may be chargeable to 

the award only under fringe benefits or indirect cost categories, and only in accordance with 

university institutional policy, submitted for review and approval by the NIJ grant manager. Direct 

cost charges for salary or dependent care expenses are generally not permitted while the fellowship 

is temporarily suspended. 

Fellowship funds may be used to support only the student who was the subject of the initially 

reviewed and awarded application and are not transferable to any other student. 

Students do not directly receive awards. The academic institution, as the grant recipient, will be 

responsible for, among other things, the administration of grant funds and for distributing payments 

to the fellowship recipient. When an award becomes active, it is expected that the academic 

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institution will draw down funds based on immediate disbursement/reimbursement requirements. 

Funds should not be paid to the doctoral student in a lump sum, but rather should be disbursed over 

time as project costs are anticipated or incurred. Recipients should time their drawdown requests to 

ensure that federal cash-on-hand is the minimum needed for disbursements/reimbursements to be 

made immediately, or within 10 days. 

To allow time for (among other things) any necessary post-award review and financial clearance of 

the proposed budget, and for any associated responses or other action(s) that may be required of 

the recipient, applicants should propose an award start date of January 1, 2024. Although NIJ 

anticipates that funds awarded under this solicitation will be made available on January 1, 2024, the 

applicant academic institution and doctoral student are cautioned not to anticipate the availability of 

funds for meeting any necessary or required expenses for the 2024 Winter Quarter or Spring 

Semester until the requirements stipulated under Doctoral Student Eligibility Requirements have 

been met in full. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the solicitation cover page. 

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see the “Federal Award Information” 

section. 

Eligible applicants are degree-granting academic institutions in the United States and its territories. 

To be eligible, the institution must be fully accredited by one of the regional institutional 

accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Under this solicitation, the 

applicant institution must apply as the sponsoring institution for the doctoral candidate conducting 

dissertation research relevant to NIJ’s criminal and/or juvenile justice mission. 

Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are not eligible to 

apply. 

All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or 

management fee. 

Application and Submission Information 

Content of Application Submission 

The following application elements must be included in the application to meet the basic minimum 

requirements to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding: 

1. Proposal Narrative 

2. Budget Web-Based Form (The web-based form includes the budget details and the budget 

narrative.) 

3. Verification of Current Enrollment in a qualifying degree program. 

4. Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts (official or unofficial). 

5. Statement of Support from the dissertation committee chair (or, if the student does not yet 

have a committee, the student’s faculty advisor, department chair, departmental director of 

graduate studies, or an individual with similar responsibilities). 

6. Curriculum Vitae, Resumes or Biosketches for Key Personnel. (For purposes of this 

solicitation, “key personnel” means the student and the person providing the Statement of 

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Support.) 

If NIJ determines that an application does not include these elements, it will neither proceed to peer 

review, nor receive further consideration. 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov 

The SF-424 must be submitted in Grants.gov. It is a required standard form used as a cover sheet 

for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information on completing the SF-424. 

In Section 8F of the SF-424, please include the name and contact information of the individual who 

will complete the application in JustGrants. JustGrants will use this information (email address) 

to assign the application to this user in JustGrants. 

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is not subject to Executive 

Order (E.O.) 12372. In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting 

“Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.” 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 

The “Standard Applicant Information” section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the 

SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. The applicant will need to review the Standard Applicant 

Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed. Within this section, the applicant will need to 

add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their Authorized Representative; and verify 

and confirm the organization’s unique entity identifier, legal name, and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

A Proposal Abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project—including its 

purpose, primary activities, and expected outcomes — must be completed in the JustGrants webbased form. This abstract should be in paragraph form without bullets or tables, written in the third 

person, and exclude personally identifiable information. Abstracts will be made publicly available on 

the OJP and USASpending.gov websites if the project is awarded. See the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for an example of a proposal abstract. 

Proposal Narrative 

The Proposal Narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The document should 

be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not 

exceed 12 numbered pages. If the Proposal Narrative fails to comply with these length restrictions, 

NIJ may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in the final award decision. 

If included in the main body of the proposal narrative, any tables, charts, figures, and other 

illustrations do count toward the 12-page limit. Title page, resubmit response (if applicable), table of 

contents, and any appendices do not count toward the page limit. 

The proposal narrative is expected to be the intellectual product of the student. Although the 

involvement of graduate advisors and others is encouraged in the development of research ideas 

and in the revision of drafts, the student should be the primary author of the research proposal. 

The Proposal Narrative should include the following sections: 

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a. Title Page (not counted against the proposal narrative page limit) 

The title page should include: 

Project title. 

Submission date. 

Funding opportunity number. 

Name and contact information (address, telephone number, and e-mail address) for the 

sponsored doctoral student 

Unique author identifier (e.g., ORCID, ResearcherID, Scopus Author ID), if available. 

Name of the enrolled doctoral program (degree field). 

Key words. 

b. Resubmit Response (if applicable) (not counted against the proposal narrative page limit.) 

If an applicant is resubmitting an application presented previously to NIJ, but not funded, the 

applicant should indicate this. A statement should be provided, no more than two pages, 

addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJ-assigned application number of the previous 

application, and (2) a brief summary of revisions to the application, including responses to previous 

feedback received from NIJ. 

c. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the proposal narrative page limit) 

d. Main Body 

The main body of the proposal narrative should describe the proposed project in depth. The 

following sections should be included as part of the proposal narrative: 

1. Statement of the Problem and Research Questions 

The statement of the problem should address the need for research in the area of study. 

Applicants should discuss current gaps in data, research, and knowledge. As part of this 

discussion, applicants should present a review of previous literature and discuss previous 

research related to these problems. 

This section should also identify the proposed research questions and discuss the purpose, 

goals, and objectives of the proposed project. The relevance of the proposed research to 

criminal and/or juvenile justice in the United States should be clearly articulated, as well as the 

potential significance of the proposed research to the particular field of study. 

Discussion of potential risk or harm (if applicable) 

Applicants should discuss potential risks and harms to individuals or groups associated with 

the use and/or misuse of any practice or technology proposed as a part of the research and 

evaluation, as well as any ethical considerations that may factor into its use. In addition, 

applicants should be aware of all relevant statutes, regulations, and/or governing judicial 

decisions (e.g., established case law, prevailing court rulings) related to the practice or 

technology’s proposed use. Any limitations that may impede the lawful use or implementation 

of any practice or technology proposed should be described, and a realistic approach to 

mitigate such limitations in the context of the proposed research should be discussed. 

2. Project Design and Implementation 

Applicants should provide a detailed description of the methods to be used to address the 

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research questions. Applicants should describe the data acquisition methodology in detail, and 

demonstrate the validity and relevance of the data to be collected. Applicants should justify the 

methods of data analysis planned, address the feasibility of the project overall, speculate on 

potential challenges that may arise, and discuss plans to mitigate difficulties that may be 

encountered. 

This section should include a discussion of the deliverables, including planned scholarly 

products and a plan for dissemination to appropriate audiences. Applicants should also 

identify plans, if appropriate, to make the results available to interested criminal and/or juvenile 

justice practitioners and the broader public in a form that is readily accessible and useful to 

them. 

3. Capabilities and Competencies 

This section should describe the experience and capability of the doctoral student, the 

research advisor or committee chair (if applicable), and the academic environment, 

highlighting previous experience implementing similar research. Applicants should address: 

The preparation and qualifications of the doctoral student. 

The academic environment and supporting resources. 

Experience producing and disseminating research deliverables (publications and 

presentations). 

Applicants should also outline a management plan. This should identify the people involved in 

the execution of the project, their specific roles, and any framework to be used for ensuring 

that their tasks are fulfilled. 

Additionally, applicants should include, if applicable, a description contextualizing the 

proposed doctoral work relative to, or within, any other work being conducted under an 

existing NIJ award, which must be specifically identified. 

Note: An applicant is not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, 

performance measure information is included as a notification that award recipients will be required 

to submit performance data as part of each award’s reporting requirements. Some measures are 

presented as examples, while others are the exact measures that every recipient will be expected to 

address. 

OJP will require each award recipient to submit regular performance data that show the project’s 

progress. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in 

the “Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” section. 

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found in the ‘Performance 

Measures’ section below. 

Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for an 

overview of performance measurement activities at OJP. 

NIJ will require award recipients to submit performance measure data in quarterly financial reports, 

annual performance reports, and a final performance report in JustGrants. NIJ will provide further 

guidance on the post-award submission process, if the applicant is selected for award. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

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Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

The applicant will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. For additional information, see 

the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the Complete the Application in JustGrants – 

Budget training. 

The following are sample budget narrative descriptions of relevant cost items that might be used by 

an applicant: 

Salaries and Wages — Personnel 

The Principal Investigator (i.e., the doctoral student), Mr./Ms. xxx, will devote xxx summer months 

and xxx academic months per year toward the project. One summer month effort is equivalent to 

xxx hours. One academic month’s effort is equivalent to xxx hours. Therefore, the salary paid to Mr./ 

Ms. xxx in each academic month will be xxx, and in each summer month will be xxx. (Note that if a 

stipend will be allocated in equal disbursements each month, please provide such a description with 

the corresponding monthly breakdown.) 

The fringe benefit rate during the academic year for the graduate student is ___ %. The summer 

fringe benefit rate is ___ %. The benefits included in this rate cover __________. 

Travel 

Attendance at the xxx Annual Meeting will provide an opportunity to disseminate the results of my 

work within the relevant academic community. The meeting will be held in xxx. The expected 

lodging rate is $xxx, based on xxx source, for a total of xxx nights ($xxx total). The meal allowance 

is $xxx per day, based on xxx source. (Note that whether the appropriate source is the federal per 

diem rate or a lower rate stipulated by the academic institution, is at the institution’s discretion.) The 

expected transportation cost is $xxx, based on xxx source. Other anticipated costs include an 

anticipated baggage fee of $xx. The total requested funding for this travel event is $xxx. 

The following paragraph (on “Cofunding”) expressly modifies the “Cost Sharing or Matching 

Requirement” provisions in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. The applicant is to follow 

the guidance in the following paragraph instead of the guidance stated under the “Cost Sharing or 

Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Cofunding: An award made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 percent of the 

total cost of the project. The application should indicate whether it is feasible for the applicant to 

contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-federal support for the project. The application should 

identify generally any such contributions that the applicant expects to make and the proposed 

budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported with non-federal contributions. 

For additional match information, see the “Cost Sharing or Match Requirement” section under 

Federal Award Information. 

If a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the 

total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit. 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 

See the section on Costs Requiring Prior Approval in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide Post Award 

Requirements for more information. 

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Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

If applicable, the applicant will upload their indirect cost rate agreement as an attachment in 

JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for more information on indirect costs. 

Consultant Rate 

See the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for information on the consultant rates which require prior 

approval from OJP. 

Employee Compensation Waiver 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Limitation on Use of Award 

Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards over $250,000; Waiver. 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including applicant 

disclosure of high-risk status) 

The applicant will download the questionnaire, complete it, and upload it as an attachment in 

JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for the link to the questionnaire and 

additional information. 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 

This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating 

its “Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation” provisions. Applicants to this 

solicitation are not required to provide this disclosure. 

Additional Application Components 

The applicant will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Letters of Support 

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations collaborating in the 

project, such as law enforcement and correctional agencies (if applicable). 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

If an application proposes research (including research and development) and/or evaluation, the 

applicant must demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate 

safeguards, before it may receive award funds. The applicant will upload documentation of its 

research and evaluation independence and integrity as an attachment in JustGrants. For additional 

information, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Bibliography/reference 

Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Proposal Narrative. 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 

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Any tables/charts/graphs, questionnaires, or maps pertaining to the proposed project that are 

supplemental to such items included in the main body of the narrative. (Tables, charts, graphs, or 

other relevant illustrations that are essential for comprehension of the project design should be 

included in the main body of the narrative.) 

List of Individuals in the Application 

To assist OJP in assessing actual or apparent conflicts of interest (including such conflicts on the 

part of prospective reviewers of the application), provide a complete list of the individuals named or 

otherwise identified anywhere in the application (including in the budget or in any other attachment) 

who will or may work (or advise or consult) on the proposed project. This should include the student 

and the student’s dissertation committee (if known). The dissertation chair should be clearly 

identified. 

Applicants should use the “Proposed Project Staff, Affiliation, and Roles” form available on the NIJ 

webpage to prepare this list. 

Human Subjects Protection 

Human Subjects Protection paperwork as a separate attachment (documentation and forms related 

to Institutional Review Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjectsprotection. Note: Final IRB approval is not required at the time an application is submitted. 

Privacy Certificate 

Privacy Certificate as a separate file (for further guidance go to https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/ 

confidentiality-and-privacy-protections and https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate). 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

Applicants proposing to use incentives or stipends payments as part of their research project 

design, must submit an incentive or stipend approval request, as a separate document, according to 

the requirements set forth at https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/participant-support-costs-and-incentivessocial-science-research. 

Verification of Current Enrollment 

Verification of full-time enrollment in a qualifying doctoral program at the time of application 

(CRITICAL COMPONENT). 

Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts 

Undergraduate and graduate transcripts, official or unofficial (CRITICAL COMPONENT). 

Statement of Support 

Statement of support from the dissertation committee chair or the doctoral student’s faculty advisor, 

department chair, departmental director of graduate studies, or individual with similar 

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responsibilities, as applicable (CRITICAL COMPONENT). 

Curriculum Vitae, Resumes, or Biosketches 

Curriculum vitae, resumes, or biosketches for the student and the person providing the Statement of 

Support (CRITICAL COMPONENT). NIJ encourages use of the SciENcv standard format biosketch 

((https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/). 

Personal Statement 

Personal statement from the student discussing their academic background, research experience, 

career goals, and the anticipated role of the fellowship in their professional trajectory, not to exceed 

two pages. 

Project Timeline and Expected Milestones 

The timeline should include details about student progress milestones, including, but not limited to: 

the date by which the student is expected to advance to candidacy (if applicable), any major dates 

in the dissemination plan, the writing of the dissertation, and an expected dissertation defense date. 

Any steps that are specifically required by the sponsoring institution for successful completion of the 

doctoral degree should be clearly noted. The project timeline should also allow for time to complete 

edits to the dissertation manuscript and for submission of the final dissertation to NIJ. 

Current and Pending (Other) Support 

List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this application has been 

submitted, including, but not limited to, other fellowships which the doctoral student has received, 

and the dates during which those fellowships will be active (if applicable). 

The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. Once the applicant submits in Grants.gov, this 

information will pre-pend into JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

Review and accept the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

Complete the JustGrants web-based Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items form. See 

the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 

Review and accept the DOJ Certified Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension 

and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and 

Community Policing. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

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Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 

If applicable, submit the DOJ High Risk Disclosure and Justification as an attachment in JustGrants. 

A DOJ High Risk Grantee is an award recipient that has received a DOJ High Risk designation 

based on a documented history of unsatisfactory performance; financial instability; management 

system or other internal control deficiencies; noncompliance with award terms and conditions on 

prior awards or is otherwise not responsible. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. 

How to Apply 

Registration: Before submitting an application, all applicants must register with the System for 

Award Management (SAM). You must renew and validate your registration every 12 months. If you 

do not renew your SAM registration, it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent 

application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants. Registration and renewal can take up to 10 

business days to complete. 

Submission: Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step process via 

Grants.gov and JustGrants. 

Step 1: After registering with SAM, the applicant must submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in 

Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html by the Grants.gov deadline. Submit 

the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov 

deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, they will be unable to apply in JustGrants. 

Step 2: The applicant must then submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants 

at JustGrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants deadline. 

Within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the individual in Section 8F of 

the SF-424 will receive an email from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov with instructions on how to 

create a JustGrants account. Register the Entity Administrator and the Application Submitter with 

JustGrants as early as possible but no later than 48-72 hours before the JustGrants deadline. Once 

registered in JustGrants, the Application Submitter will receive an emailed link to complete the rest 

of the application in JustGrants. The Entity Administrator also will need to log into JustGrants to 

review and invite the applicant’s Authorized Representative(s) before an application can be 

submitted. 

Submit the complete application package in JustGrants at least 24 – 48 hours prior to the 

JustGrants deadline. Some of the application components will be entered directly into JustGrants, 

and others will require uploading attached documents. Therefore, applicants will need to allow 

ample time before the JustGrants deadline to prepare each component. Applicants may save their 

progress in the system and revise the application as needed prior to hitting the Submit button at the 

end of the application in JustGrants. 

For additional information, see the “How to Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide and the DOJ Application Submission Checklist. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 

25, 2023. 

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. eastern time on May 2, 2023. 

OJP urges applicants to submit their Grants.gov and JustGrants submissions prior to the due dates 

with sufficient time to correct any errors and resubmit by the submission deadlines if a rejection 

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notification is received. To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in 

JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline. Failure to begin the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or 

JustGrants registration process in sufficient time (i.e., waiting until the date identified in this 

solicitation) is not an acceptable reason for late submission. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application 

OJP will only consider requests to submit an application after the deadline when the applicant can 

document that a technical issue with a government system prevented application submission. 

If an applicant misses a deadline due to unforeseen technical issues with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or 

JustGrants, the applicant may request a waiver to submit an application after the deadline. 

However, the waiver request will not be considered unless it includes a tracking number generated 

when the applicant contacts the applicable service desks to report technical difficulties. Tracking 

numbers are generated automatically when an applicant emails the applicable service desks; and 

for this reason applicants are encouraged to email the appropriate service desk, even if they also 

intend to call the service desk for phone support. Experiencing  wait times for phone support does 

not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of getting a tracking number. 

An applicant experiencing technical difficulties must contact the associated service desk indicated 

below to report the technical issue and receive a tracking number: 

SAM.gov - contact the SAM Help Desk (Federal Service Desk), Monday – Friday from 8 

a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 866-606-8220. 

Grants.gov - contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a 

week, except on federal holidays, at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, or 

support@grants.gov. 

JustGrants - contact the JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 

833-872-5175, Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday, Sunday, and 

Federal holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. 

If an applicant has technical issues with SAM.gov or Grants.gov, the applicant must contact the OJP 

Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours of the Grants.gov deadline to request 

approval to submit after the deadline. 

If an applicant has technical issues with JustGrants that prevent application submission by the 

deadline, the applicant must contact the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 

hours of the JustGrants deadline to request approval to submit after the deadline. 

Waiver requests sent to the OJP Response Center must -

describe the technical difficulties experienced, 

include a timeline of the applicant's submission efforts (e.g., date and time the error 

occurred, date and time of actions taken to resolve the issue and resubmit; and date and

 time support representatives responded), 

include an attachment of the complete grant application and all the required 

documentation and materials, 

include the applicant's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and 

include any SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants Service Desk tracking numbers 

documenting the technical issue. 

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OJP will review each waiver request and the required supporting documentation and notify the 

applicant whether the request for late submission has been approved or denied. An applicant who 

does not provide documentation of a technical issue or who does not submit a waiver request within 

the required time period will be denied. 

For more details on the waiver process, OJP encourages applicants to review the “Experiencing 

Unforeseen Technical Issues” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

Merit Review Criteria 

Applications that meet the basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers on how 

the proposed project/program addresses the following criteria: 

Statement of the Problem and its Significance (30%) 

Clarity of the problem statement and research questions. 

Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research. 

Connection between the problem and the proposed research. 

Demonstrated relevance of the proposed research to criminal and/or juvenile justice in 

the United States. 

Potential significance of the proposed research to the field of study. 

Project Design and Implementation (40%) 

Detailed and complete discussion of proposed research methods. 

Soundness of the research methods and appropriateness to the proposed study. 

Feasibility of the proposed project, awareness of potential pitfalls, and proposed 

practical solutions. 

Strength of the proposed dissemination plan to produce scholarly products as well as to 

make summary information available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal 

and/or juvenile justice practitioners or policymakers. 

Capabilities and Competencies (25%) 

Qualifications of the doctoral student, including: 

a. Undergraduate record 

b. Graduate coursework completed 

c. Relevant work and/or research experience 

d. Leadership roles 

e. Publication record 

Academic environment and supporting resources of the applicant institution, degree 

program, and graduate advisor (if applicable). 

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Budget (5%) 

In addition, reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional items in the 

context of scientific and technical merit. 

Appropriateness of requested research expenses and related costs to the proposed 

dissertation research. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

Other Review Criteria/Factors 

Other important considerations for NIJ include available funding, geographic diversity, strategic 

priorities, and the extent to which the Budget Web-Based Form accurately explains project costs 

that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal 

cost principles. 

Review Process 

Applications submitted under this solicitation that meet the basic minimum requirements will be 

evaluated for technical merit by a peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review policy 

and procedures using the review criteria listed above. 

OJP screens applications to ensure they meet the basic minimum requirements prior to conducting 

the peer review. Although specific requirements may vary, the following are common requirements 

applicable to all OJP solicitations: 

The application must be submitted by an eligible type of applicant. 

The application must request funding within programmatic funding constraints (if applicable). 

The application must be responsive to the scope of the solicitation. 

The application must include all items necessary to meet the basic minimum requirements. 

Pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, before award decisions are made, OJP also 

reviews information related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant entity. Among other things 

to help assess whether an applicant with one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record 

of performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks whether the applicant entity is listed in 

SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award. 

Important Note on FAPIIS: An applicant may review and comment on any information about its 

organization that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP 

will consider such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in its 

assessment of the risk posed by the applicant entity. 

All final award decisions will be made by the Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), who 

may take into account not only peer review ratings and NIJ recommendations, but also other factors 

as indicated in this section. 

Federal Award Administration Information 

Federal Award Notices 

Generally, award notifications are made by the end of the current Federal fiscal year, September 

30th. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on award notifications and 

instructions. 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

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If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJPapproved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions and all applicable 

requirements of federal statutes and regulations, including the applicable requirements referred to in 

the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance. For additional 

information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal 

Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to 

information technology security. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for more 

information. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in the “Program Description” section, all award recipients 

under this solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data. 

Required reports. Award recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, annual 

performance reports, final financial and performance reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit 

report in accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Future 

awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP 

may require additional reports. 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award 

reporting requirements, including performance measure data. 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For questions directed to the Federal Awarding Agency, see OJP Response Center contact 

information on cover page. 

For OJP contact(s), contact information for Grants.gov, and contact information for JustGrants, see 

the solicitation cover page. 

Other Information 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Freedom of Information and 

Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a). 

Provide Feedback to OJP 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on how to provide feedback to OJP. 

Performance Measures 

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Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct dissertation 

research having clear 

implications for criminal 

and/or juvenile justice 

policy and practice in the 

United States. 

Quality of the research as 

demonstrated by the scholarly 

products that result in whole or in part 

from work funded under the NIJ 

award, such as published, peerreviewed, scientific journal articles, 

and/or (as appropriate for the funded 

project) law review journal articles, 

book chapter(s) or book(s) in the 

academic press, technological 

prototypes, patented inventions, or 

similar scientific products. 

1. A copy of the doctoral student’s 

successfully defended and accepted 

final dissertation. 

2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly 

products that resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded under the NIJ 

award. 

3. Quarterly financial reports, annual 

and final performance reports. If 

applicable, an annual audit report. 

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Application Checklist 

NIJ FY23 Graduate Research Fellowship 

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. For more 

information, reference the OJP Application Submission Steps in the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide and the DOJ Application Submission Checklist. 

Pre-Application 

Before Registering in Grants.gov: 

Acquire or renew your Entity’s System Award Management (SAM) Registration Information 

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Register in Grants.gov 

Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov username and 

password (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Find the Funding Opportunity 

Search for the funding opportunity in Grants.gov using the opportunity number, assistance listing number, or keyword(s) 

Access the funding opportunity and application package (see Step 7 in the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov 

Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting available at 

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#6g3y8 (see OJP 

Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Review the Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements 

Review the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements - FY 2023 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Review the Scope Requirement 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of $166,500. 

Review Eligibility Requirement: 

Review the Eligibility section on the cover page and Eligibility Information section in the solicitation. 

~~~~ 

Application Step 1 

Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov 

In Section 8F of the SF-424, include the name and contact information of the individual who 

will complete the application in JustGrants and the SF-LLL in Grants.gov 

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Within 48 hours after the SF-424 and SF-LLL submission in Grants.gov, receive four (4) Grants.gov email notifications: 

a submission receipt 

a validation receipt 

a grantor agency retrieval receipt 

an agency tracking number assignment 

If no Grants.gov receipt and validation email is received, or if error notifications are received: 

Contact OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov or 800-851-3420 or TTY: 301-240-6310 

(hearing impaired only) or Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 

606-545-5035, Grants.gov customer support, or support@grants.gov regarding technical difficulties (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the individual in Section 8F of 

the SF-424 will receive an email from JustGrants with login instructions. 

Proceed to Application Step 2 and complete application in JustGrants 

Application Step 2 

Submit the following information in JustGrants: 

Application Components 

Standard Applicant information (SF-424 information from Grants.gov) 

Proposal Abstract 

Proposal Narrative* 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Web-Based form* 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Additional Application Components 

Letters of Support 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

Bibliography/reference 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 

List of Individuals in the Application 

Human Subjects Protection 

Privacy Certificate 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

Verification of Current Enrollment* 

Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts* 

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Statement of Support* 

Curriculum Vitae, Resumes, or Biosketches* 

Personal Statement 

Project Timeline and Expected Milestones 

Current and Pending (Other) Support 

Request and Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if applicable) (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Disclosures and Assurances 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)  (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide 

) 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) (see OJP 

Grant Application Resource Guide) 

*Note: Items designated with an asterisk must be submitted for an application to meet the

basic minimum requirements review. If OJP determines that an application does not include 

these designated items, it will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further 

consideration. 

Review, Certify and Submit Application in JustGrants 

Any validation errors will immediately display on screen after submission. 

Correct validation errors, if necessary, and then return to the “Certify and Submit” screen to 

submit the application. Access the Application Submission Validation Errors Quick Reference 

Guide for step-by-step instructions to resolve errors prior to submission. 

Once the application is submitted and validated, a confirmation message will appear at the top of the page. Users will also receive a notification in the “bell” alerts confirming submission. 

If no JustGrants application submission confirmation email or validation is received, or if error 

notification is received: 

Contact the JustGrants Service Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov 

regarding technical difficulties. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. 

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Standard Solicitation Resources 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide provides guidance to assist OJP grant applicants in 

preparing and submitting applications for OJP funding. 

DOJ Grants Financial Guide serves as the primary reference manual to assist award recipients in 

fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to safeguard grant funds and to ensure funds are used for the 

purposes for which they were awarded. It compiles a variety of laws, rules and regulations that 

affect the financial and administrative management of DOJ awards. This guide serves as a starting 

point for all award recipients and subrecipients of DOJ grants and cooperative agreements in 

ensuring the effective day-to-day management of awards. 

JustGrants Resources Website is an entryway into information about JustGrants and the grants 

management system itself. Through this portal both award recipients and applicants can access 

training resource and user support options, find frequently asked questions and sign-up for the 

JustGrants Update e-newsletter. 

JustGrants Application Submission Training Page offers helpful information and resources on the 

application process. This training page includes e-learning videos, reference guides, checklists and 

other resources to help applicants complete an application. 

Virtual Q&A Sessions are advertised here and provide opportunities for users to receive topicspecific training, direct technical assistance and support on JustGrants system functionality. 

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