Notices regarding the solicitation “Research and Evaluation on the 

Administration of Justice, Fiscal Year 2021” 

April 27, 2021: NIJ has extended both deadlines for this solicitation to: 

Grants.gov Deadline: April 29, 2021 11:59 p.m. 

Application JustGrants Deadline: May 13, 2021 11:59 p.m.

The deadlines for this solicitation has been extended due to planned system upgrades that 

will make the Justice Grants System (JustGrants) unavailable for users from Friday, May 7, 

2021, at 5:30 p.m. ET to Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 5:30 a.m. ET.

March 3, 2021: A separate project management plan is not required. However, the 

discussion of capabilities and competencies in the main body of the proposal narrative 

should outline the management plan and organization that connects the goals and 

objectives of the project.

February 1, 2021: NIJ has extended both deadlines for this solicitation to:

Grants.gov Deadline: April 26, 2021 11:59 p.m.

Application JustGrants Deadline: May 10, 2021 11:59 p.m.

January 15, 2021: The bold text below has been added under “Additional Information” on 

page 10. 

“The recent median NIJ grant award amount is approximately $600,000. Applicants are 

encouraged to propose budgets that match the research activities proposed, which may be 

more or less than the anticipated maximum dollar amount of awards.” 

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

Approval Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

Research and Evaluation on the Administration of Justice, Fiscal 

Year 2021 

Assistance Listing Number # 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: 

Solicitation Release Date: 

Version: 

Grants.gov Deadline: 

Application JustGrants Deadline: 

16.560 

O-NIJ-2021-60004

January 12, 2021 2:30 PM 

4

April 29, 2021 11:59 PM 

May 13, 2021 11:59 PM 

Overview 

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

Justice (NIJ), is seeking applications for funding to conduct rigorous, applied research and 

evaluation projects examining the impact of pretrial detention healthcare, data-driven 

interventions, prosecutorial discretion, decriminalization of certain offences, and bail reform on 

the administration of justice and public safety. This project furthers the Department’s mission 

by supporting the development of new knowledge and tools to address the challenges of 

crime and justice in the United States. 

This solicitation incorporates the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by reference. The 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants for the preparation 

and submission to OJP of applications 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: 

City or township governments, County governments, For profit organizations other than 

small businesses, Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments 

(Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally 

recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other 

than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with 

the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher 

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

authorities/Indian housing authorities, Small businesses, Special district governments, 

State governments, Other 

Other 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, 

Page 1 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virginia Islands, Guam, 

American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are 

not eligible to apply. Federal agencies are eligible to apply. (Any award made to a 

federal agency will be made as an inter-agency reimbursable agreement.) 

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, the Attorney General 

determined that all state, local, and university or college law enforcement agencies must be certified 

by an approved independent credentialing body or have started the certification process to be 

eligible for FY 2021 DOJ discretionary grant funding. To become certified, the law enforcement 

agency must meet two mandatory conditions: (1) the agency’s use of force policies adhere to all 

applicable federal, state, and local laws; and (2) the agency’s use of force policies prohibit 

chokeholds except in situations where use of deadly force is allowed by law. The certification 

requirement also applies to law enforcement agencies receiving DOJ discretionary grant funding 

through a subaward.  For detailed information on this new certification requirement, please visit 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO to access the Standards for Certification on Safe Policing for 

Safe Communities, Implementation Fact Sheet, and List of Designated Independent Credentialing 

Bodies. 

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

management fee. 

NIJ will consider applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal 

award; however, only one entity may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as 

subrecipients (subgrantees). For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future fiscal 

years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and on the 

availability of appropriations. 

Contact Information 

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

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

support webpage, or email at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. 

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ’s Justice Grants System 

(JustGrants), contact the JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or at 

833-872-5175. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov or JustGrants technical issues beyond 

its control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the 

National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center (Response Center) at 

grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to 

submit its application after the deadline. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center 

by telephone at 800–851–3420 or TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only) or by email at 

grants@ncjrs.gov. Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date. 

Submission Information 

In FY 2021, applications will be submitted to DOJ in a NEW two-step process. 

Page 2 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004
Step 1: Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. To register in Grants.gov, applicants will 

need to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award 

Management (SAM) registration or renewal. 

Step 2: Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at 

JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the 

JustGrants application deadline. 

OJP encourages applicants to review, the “How to Apply" section in the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

Page 3 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004 
Contents 

Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Program Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Statutory Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Specific Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

OJP Policy Priority Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Federal Award Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Awards, Amounts and Durations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Continuation Funding Intent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Availability of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Types of Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Budget Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

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 

Eligibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Application and Submission Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) .13 

Information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Proposal Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Proposal Narrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Budget and Associated Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) . . . . . . . . . 16 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

high-risk status) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Additional Application Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Timeline Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Letters of Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement . . . . . . 17 

Bibliography/reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps . . . 17 

Page 4 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004 
List of Individuals in the Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if 

Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in Qualified Opportunity 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 

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

Human Subjects Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Privacy Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Zones (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Project Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Data Archiving Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Disclosures and Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements . 20 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

How to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Submission Dates and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Application Review Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Review Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Review Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Federal Award Administration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Federal Award Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements . . . . . . . 23 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements . 23 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

552a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Provide Feedback to OJP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Performance Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Application Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

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O-NIJ-2021-60004
Program Description 

Overview 

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is authorized to conduct or authorize multiyear 

and short-term research and development concerning the criminal and civil justice 

systems. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects 

examining the impact of pretrial strategies on the administration of justice and public 

safety. Specifically, NIJ seeks applications for projects examining the impact on the 

administration of justice and public safety of pretrial detention healthcare, data-driven 

interventions, prosecutorial discretion, decriminalization of certain offences, and bail 

reform. 

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal justice or other 

agencies, should include a strong letter of support, signed by an appropriate decisionmaking authority from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support should 

include the partnering agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, 

provided to, or obtained through this project will be archived by the grant recipient with 

the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. 

Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to review the NACJD’s policies 

and protections at (NACJD). If selected for award, grantees will be expected to have a 

formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2022. That formal 

agreement must include a provision to meet the data archiving requirements of the 

award. 

In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple 

partnering agencies to carry out the proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency 

may be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in response to this 

solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. 

This solicitation supports DOJ Strategic Objective 3.1: Combat violent crime, promote 

safe communities, and uphold the rights of victims of crime. It also supports Objective 

III.B: Research the Impact of Court Strategies on the Administration of Justice and 

Public Safety, of the National Institute of Justice Courts Strategic Research Plan 

2020-2024. 

Statutory Authority 

Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 

202). 

Specific Information 

The role of criminal courts is crucial to the fair administration of justice. NIJ’s Courts 

Research Portfolio[1]  sponsors research, development, and evaluation to identify court 

tools, programs, and policies that satisfy criminal justice goals, including public safety, 

cost-efficiency, and fair and equitable treatment of victims and defendants. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for grant funding to conduct rigorous, 

applied research and evaluation projects examining the impact on the administration of 

justice and public safety of (1) pretrial detention healthcare, (2) data-driven 

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O-NIJ-2021-60004 
interventions, (3) prosecutorial discretion and/or decriminalization of certain offences, 

and (4) bail reform. 

Pretrial Detention Healthcare. The prohibition on State and local inmates from receiving 

healthcare benefits under Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance 

Program, and Veterans Affairs health services often makes no distinction between pretrial detainees and convicted inmates. NIJ is interested in receiving applications for 

projects examining the impact of the resulting interruption of medical, mental health, and 

addiction treatment coverage in pre-trial settings on individuals’ health coverage, 

reentry, and on State and local criminal justice budgets. 

Data-Driven Interventions.  Increased utilization of data by State and local governments 

can deliver an improved and more cost-effective criminal justice system. However, there 

is a need to make sure data is used fairly and correctly, as well as to develop systems 

to standardize court and corrections data. NIJ is interested in receiving applications from 

educational institutions for research projects increasing utilization of data interventions 

proven effective and backed by research findings at the State and local level, and on 

developing systems to standardize courts and corrections data. Proposals must 

demonstrate an applicant’s excellence in criminal justice data-driven analysis and 

decision-making, implementation science, and training. Successful applicants should 

propose how they would work with surrounding States to develop a regional profile on 

crime and criminal justice and serve as a repository for data that can be readily used for 

program solving, analysis, and evaluation. (Proposals addressing this topic from 

applicants who are not educational institutions will not be accepted.)  

Prosecutorial Discretion and/or Decriminalization. NIJ is interested in applications for 

projects examining the impact on crime of a prosecutor’s use of their discretion to not 

pursue charges for certain offenses, such as drug possession, larceny, shoplifting, and 

resisting arrest, and to not seek incarceration for other offences: for example, by placing 

an individual in a diversion program in gun possession cases. NIJ is also interested in 

projects examining the impact on crime of the decriminalization of certain offences such 

as the possession of limited amounts of narcotics. 

Bail Reform. NIJ is interested in projects examining the impact on crime of limited 

detention, expanded pretrial release, and the elimination of money bail. Studies 

involving cross-jurisdictional comparisons are encouraged to help identify best 

practices. In addition, when applicable, grantees are advised to consider outcomes in 

relation to not only offenders, but also crime victims and the broader community.[2] 

New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity 

NIJ is interested in supporting researchers who are early in their careers and new to 

NIJ’s research grant portfolios, specifically non-tenured assistant professors, or 

equivalent full-time staff scientist positions in a research institution, who propose 

research on topics relevant to NIJ’s Office of Research, Evaluation and Technology 

(ORET). To that end, NIJ may, in appropriate circumstances, give special consideration 

in award decisions to applications proposing such researchers as principal investigators 

(PIs). To qualify, the proposed PI must at the time of application submission: 

Hold a non-tenured assistant professor appointment at an accredited institution of 

higher education in the United States or an equivalent full-time staff scientist 

position at a research institution in the United States. 

Have completed a terminal degree or post-graduate clinical training within the four 

(4) years prior to September 30, 2021. 

Have never previously received NIJ funding as a PI on a research project with the 

exception of Graduate Research Fellows or Data Resources Program grantees. 

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O-NIJ-2021-60004 
  

If seeking to be considered for the New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity, the 

applicant should identify that they are submitting a New Investigator/Early Career 

proposal on the title page of the application. 

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. 

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies are a powerful, much needed tool for building 

scientific evidence about what works. Therefore, studies employing RCT methods to 

assess the effectiveness of programs and practices will be given higher priority 

consideration. RCT applications with strong designs measuring outcomes of self-evident 

policy importance are strongly encouraged. A strong RCT design should include low 

sample attrition, sufficient sample size, close adherence to random assignment, valid 

outcome measures, and statistical analyses. Taking RCT costs into consideration, 

applicants may want to consider studies using privacy protected administrative data that 

are already being collected or implementing an intervention into a program already 

funded. 

NIJ is interested in research applications that address cost-efficiency. Cost-efficiency 

analysis indicates what impact the program has on public resources and expenditures 

and whether the investment yields savings over the status quo or an alternative. See 

NIJ’s website for more information and publications on cost-efficiency in the context of 

evaluation research.[3] 

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 taken into account 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://www.crimesolutions.gov/about_starttofinish.aspx for further information on highquality evaluation design elements. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Goals 

The ultimate goal of this solicitation is to provide objective and independent knowledge 

and tools that support prosecutors and others in their efforts to advance justice and 

reduce violent and other crime. 

Page 8 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004 
Objectives 

The objective of this solicitation is to support applied research that examines the impact 

of pretrial detention healthcare, data-driven interventions, prosecutorial discretion, 

decriminalization of certain offences, and bail reform on the administration of justice and 

public safety. 

Deliverables 

Final Research Report. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected 

to submit a final research report. Additional information on the final research report 

requirement for the solicitation is posted on NIJ’s webpage. 

Required Data Sets and Associated Files and Documentation. Any recipient of an award 

under this solicitation will be expected to submit to the National Archive of Criminal 

Justice Data (NACJD) all data sets that result in whole or in part from the work funded 

by the award, along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future 

efforts by others to reproduce the project’s findings and/or to extend the scientific value 

of the data set through secondary analysis. 

In addition to these deliverables (and the required reports and data on performance 

measures), NIJ expects scholarly products to result from each award under this 

solicitation, taking the form of one or more published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal 

articles, and/or (if appropriate) law review journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in 

the academic press, technological prototypes, patented inventions, or similar scientific 

products. NIJ expects that there will be an equal effort to make the research findings 

accessible to practitioner and policymaker audiences. 

The Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables are directly related to the performance 

measures that demonstrate the results of the work completed, as discussed under 

Application and Submission Information. 

OJP Policy Priority Areas 

In FY 2021 and in addition to executing any program-specific prioritization that may be applicable, 

OJP will give priority consideration to applications as follows: 

Applications that address specific challenges that rural communities face. 

Applications that demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the 

requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties. 

Applications that offer enhancements to public safety in economically distressed communities 

(Qualified Opportunity Zones). 

To receive priority consideration under the rural priority, applicants must describe what makes the 

geographic service area rural (using U.S. Census or other appropriate government data; for 

assistance, applicants may wish to refer to https://www.census.gov/programssurveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html), how isolated the area is from needed 

services, and how they will address specific challenges in rural communities. 

To receive priority consideration under the poverty priority, the applicant must provide information to 

demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in highpoverty areas or persistent poverty counties.  For purposes of this priority consideration, the term 

‘‘high-poverty area’’ means any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as 

measured by the 2013–2017 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of 

the Census Bureau (applicants may search by census tract at 

https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/narrative-profiles/2017/) and the term 

Page 9 of 28 

O-NIJ-2021-60004
‘‘persistent poverty counties’’ means any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population 

living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and 

the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (applicants may search by county at 

https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/census-poverty.html and at 

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe.html). 

To receive priority consideration under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority, applicants must 

include information that specifies how the project will enhance public safety in the specified QOZs. 

For resources on QOZs, and for a current list of designated QOZs, see the U.S. Department of the 

Treasury’s resource webpage, accessible at https://www.cdfifund.gov/pages/opportunity-zones.aspx 

OJP policy priority consideration will consist of receiving additional points in the application scoring 

process. Receipt of priority consideration does not guarantee that an application will be funded; nor 

will the failure to receive priority consideration necessarily mean that an application will not be 

funded. 

Federal Award Information 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

6 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

$600,000.00 

Period of Performance Start Date 

1/1/22 12:00 AM 

Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

60 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

$3,000,000.00 

Additional Information 

Maximum dollar amount for each award: The recent median NIJ grant award amount is 

approximately $600,000. Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that match the 

research activities proposed, which may be more or less than the anticipated maximum 

dollar amount of awards. Period of performance duration: To be determined by the 

period of performance of awarded applications. Successful applicants will be expected 

to complete the work proposed within a five-year period of performance. Total number 

of awards NIJ expects to make: 1 to 6. 

Continuation Funding Intent 

NIJ may, in certain cases, provide additional funding in future years to awards made under 

this solicitation, through continuation awards. NIJ will consider, among other factors, NIJ’s 

strategic priorities, a recipient’s overall management of the award, and progress of award 

funded work, when making continuation award decisions. 

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Availability of Funds 

This solicitation, and awards (if any are made) 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. 

Types of Awards 

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 (and cooperative agreements). 

Financial Management and System of Internal 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. The “Part 200 Uniform 

Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R. Part 2800, which adopts (with certain 

modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. 

Budget Information 

If the applicant is proposing a project that reasonably could be conducted in discrete 

phases, with each phase resulting in completion of one or more significant, defined 

milestones, then NIJ strongly recommends that the applicant structure the application — 

specifically including the narrative, expected scholarly products, timelines/milestones, 

and budget detail worksheet and budget narrative — to clearly define each phase. (This 

is particularly the case if the applicant proposes a project that will exceed — in cost or 

the length of the period of performance — the amount or length of time anticipated for 

an individual award (or awards) under this solicitation.) Given limitations on the 

availability to NIJ of funds for awards for research, development, and evaluation, this 

information will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of applications would be 

productive. (If, in FY 2021, NIJ elects to fund only certain phases of a proposed project, 

the expected scholarly products from the partial-funding award may, in some cases, 

vary from those described above.) 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future 

fiscal years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications 

and on the availability of appropriations. 

What will not be funded: 

Applications primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (A budget 

may include these items if they are necessary to conduct research, development, 

demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

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

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Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

See “Cofunding” paragraph under item 5 (“Budget and Associated Documentation”) under 

“Content of Application Submission” in Application and Submission Information. 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide 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 information on 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. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the title page. 

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see “Content of Application 

Submission” in Application and Submission Information. 

Application and Submission Information 

The following application elements MUST be included in the application submission for an 

application to meet the basic minimum requirements (BMR) to advance to peer review and receive 

consideration for funding: 

Proposal Narrative. 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form). 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel. (Curriculum Vitae for key personnel 

(For purposes of this solicitation, “key personnel” means the principal investigator, 

and any and all co-principal investigators.) 

See the “Application Elements and Formatting Instructions” section of the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the 

specified elements or that is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation. 

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Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance 

(SF-424) 

The SF-424 will be submitted in Grants.gov. The SF-424 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. 

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

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

response that the “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. Applicants will need to review the Standard Applicant 

Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed. Within this section, applicants will need to: add 

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

organization's legal name and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

A proposal abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project including primary 

activities, products and deliverables, the service area, and who will benefit from the proposed 

project, will be completed in the JustGrants Web-based form. 

Proposal Narrative 

The proposal narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The 

attached document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point Times New 

Roman font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 30 pages. Pages 

should be numbered and submitted as an attachment. If the proposal narrative fails to 

comply with these length-related restrictions, NIJ may negatively consider such 

noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions. 

The following sections must be included as part of the proposal narrative: 

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

The title page should include: 

Project title. 

Submission date. 

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Funding opportunity number. 

Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators). 

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

available. 

Requests for consideration under “new investigator” and/or “priority areas of 

research” areas. 

Key words, including science focus areas. 

Contact information (that is, name, address, telephone number, and e-mail 

address) for both the applicant and the principal investigator. 

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 

1. Statement of the Problem. 

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

Applicants should discuss current gaps in data, research, and knowledge, 

including those for particular justice sectors, for certain populations, and to answer 

questions relevant to current policy and practice needs and public interests. It is 

not uncommon for multiple problems to exist simultaneously (for example, there 

may be a criminal justice problem affecting public safety, a current technical 

challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well as a 

scientific/technology gap between the current state of the art and a desired 

solution) and applicants should discuss each of these clearly and justify the 

importance of the separate issues. As part of this discussion, applicants should 

present a review of previous literature and discuss previous research related to 

these problems. 

2. Project Design and Implementation. 

Applicants should provide a detailed description of the strategies to implement this 

research project and address the research questions. Design elements should 

follow directly from the research project’s goals and objectives and address the 

program-specific information noted in the solicitation. Applicants should describe 

the research methodology and analysis plan in detail and demonstrate the validity 

and usefulness of the data they will collect. Applicants should consider the rigor 

and soundness of the methodology and analytical and technical approaches for 

the proposed research and address the feasibility of the proposed project and 

potential challenges or problems in carrying out the activities. 

3. Potential Impact. 

Applicants should describe the potential impact of the research and how it may 

inform or improve criminal or juvenile justice-related policy, practice, or theory in 

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the United States. The applicant should include a discussion of the proposed 

dissemination plan to produce scholarly products and to make information 

available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal justice practitioners or 

policymakers. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies. 

This section should describe the experience and capability of the applicant 

organization, key staff, and any proposed subgrantees (including consultants) that 

the applicant will use to implement and manage this effort and the federal funds 

under this award, highlighting any previous experience implementing projects of 

similar scope, design, and magnitude. Applicants should address: 

Experience and capacity to work with the proposed data sources in the 

conduct of similar research efforts. 

Experience and capacity to design and implement rigorous research and 

data analysis projects. 

Experience producing and disseminating meaningful deliverables. 

Applicants should also outline the management plan and organization that 

connects to the goals and objectives of the project. 

5. Appendices (not counted against the proposal narrative page limit) include: 

If the application (including the budget) identifies any proposed noncompetitive agreements that are or may be considered procurement 

"contracts" (rather than subawards), for purposes of federal grants 

administrative requirements, the applicant also must list the entities with 

which the applicant proposes to contract. 

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

application has been submitted (if applicable). 

Note: applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. 

Rather, performance measures information is included as an alert that successful 

applicants will be required to submit performance data as part of the reporting 

requirements under an award. 

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that 

demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award. The performance data 

directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified under “Goals, 

Objectives, and Deliverables” on page 8.   

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 24. 

Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page 

at www.ojp.gov/performance for an overview of performance measurement activities at 

OJP. 

Award recipients will be required to submit performance measure data in quarterly 

financial reports, semi-annual progress reports, and the Final Research Report. Further 

guidance on the post-award submission process will be provided, if selected for award. 

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Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Applicants will submit the project's goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines in the JustGrants 

Web-based form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for additional information. 

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. 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

Applicants will submit their indirect cost rate agreement by uploading the agreement as an 

attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure 

of high-risk status) 

Applicants will download the questionnaire in JustGrants and submit by uploading the completed 

questionnaire as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. 

Additional Application Components 

Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

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Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

Curriculum vitae or resume of the principal investigator and any and all co-principal 

investigators. In addition, curriculum vitae, resume, or biographical sketches of all other 

individuals (regardless of “investigator” status) who will be significantly involved in 

substantive aspects of the proposed project (including, for example, individuals such as 

statisticians used to conduct proposed data analysis). 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

If applicable, applicants will submit the Tribal Authorizing Resolution by uploading the resolution as 

an attachment in JustGrants. An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of 

information related to a tribal authorizing resolution as an attachment. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for information on tribal authorizing resolutions. 

Timeline Form 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

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. Applicants will submit a description of their research 

and evaluation independence and integrity by uploading the document as an attachment in 

JustGrants. For additional information regarding demonstrating research/evaluation independence 

and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Bibliography/reference 

Bibliography/references. Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Project 

Narrative. 

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

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/charts/graphs, or maps pertaining to the 

proposed project that are supplemental to such items 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 research, 

O-NIJ-2021

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-60004 
development, or evaluation project. 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 (documentation and forms related to Institutional 

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

Privacy Certificate 

Privacy Certificate (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-incentives-social-scienceresearch. 

Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) 

As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications 

that address specific challenges that rural communities face. Each applicant proposing to 

receive priority consideration under the rural priority must provide a sufficient narrative to 

include what makes the geographic service area rural (using U.S. Census or other appropriate 

government data), how isolated the area is from needed services, and how it will address 

specific challenges in rural communities. Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the 

document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty 

Counties (if applicable) 

As mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications 

that demonstrate that the individuals who will benefit from the requested grant reside in highpoverty areas or persistent-poverty counties as defined above. Each applicant proposing to 

receive consideration under the High-Poverty Areas or Persistent Poverty Counties priority 

must provide a sufficient narrative explanation to identify each specific High-Poverty Area (by 

census tract number(s)) and/or each specific Persistent-Poverty County where individuals are 

intended to benefit from the requested grant and how the requested grant will address specific 

challenges in each such identified area and/or county. Applicants will submit the narrative by 

uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in Qualified Opportunity 

Zones (if applicable) 

As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to designated 

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). Each applicant proposing to receive priority 

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consideration under the under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority must provide a 

sufficient narrative explanation in order for OJP to identify clearly the public safety benefit the 

applicant anticipates that its project will have on a specified QOZ(s). The narrative and the list 

of affected QOZs (by census tract number) must be included as an attachment that is clearly 

labeled as addressing QOZs. The applicant may also include tables, charts, graphs, or other 

relevant illustrations that may be useful in comprehending the manner in which the proposed 

project is anticipated to benefit a QOZ(s). Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the 

document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 

Project Management Plan 

The project management plan. 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

Consortium/contractual arrangements. Explain the programmatic, fiscal, and administrative 

arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the consortium 

organization(s). 

Data Archiving Plan 

Data archiving plan. Applicants should anticipate that NIJ will require, through special award 

conditions, that data sets resulting in whole or in part from projects funded under this 

solicitation be submitted for archiving with the NACJD. See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/data- archiving-plans-nij-funding-applicants. 

Applications should include as an appendix a brief plan — labeled “Data Archiving Plan” — 

to comply with data archiving requirements. The plan should provide brief details about 

proposed data management and archiving, including submission to NIJ (through NACJD) of 

all files and documentation necessary to allow for future efforts by others to reproduce the 

project’s findings and/or to extend the scientific value of the data set through secondary 

analysis. Pertinent files and documentation include, among other things, qualitative and 

quantitative data produced, instrumentation and data collection forms, codebook(s), any 

specialized programming code necessary to reproduce all constructed measures and the 

original data analysis, description of necessary de-identification procedures, and (when 

required) a copy of the privacy certificate and informed consent protocols. 

The plan should be one or two pages in length and include the level of effort associated with 

meeting archiving requirements. 

Note that recipients are strongly encouraged to submit required data sets at least 90 days 

before the end of the period of performance. 

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Disclosures and Assurances 

Applicants will complete the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Applicants will complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. See the OJP Grant Application

Resource Guide for additional information. 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

See the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

Applicants will 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 

Applicants will review and accept the DOJ Certified 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) 

If applicable, applicants will submit as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is a 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, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is 

otherwise not responsible. 

How to Apply 

Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. 

Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at 

JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

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

Guide. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL will be submitted in Grants.gov by11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 29, 

2021. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date 

to allow time for the applicant to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from 

Grants.gov and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a rejection 

notification. 

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The full application will be submitted in JustGrants by11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 13, 2021. 

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants 

application deadline. 

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

a. Scored Review Criteria

Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers. 

Applications will be evaluated on how the proposed project/program addresses the 

following criteria: 

1. Statement of the Problem (understanding of the problem, (10%).

Demonstrated understanding of the problem. 

Demonstrated importance of research questions, goals and objectives, 

including alignment with the aims of the solicitation. 

Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research. 

2. Project Design and Implementation (quality and technical merit) (50%).

Feasibility of proposed project. 

Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach to addressing 

the stated aim(s) of the proposed project. 

Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design and feasibility of 

proposed actions to minimize and/or mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

3. Capabilities and Competencies (capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and

experience of the applicant organization and proposed project staff) (20%).

Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (that is, the principal 

investigator, any and all co-principal investigators, and all other individuals 

(and organizations) identified in the application (regardless of “investigator” 

status) who will be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the 

proposed project). 

Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to implement the proposed 

strategies and manage the effort. 

Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project 

staff (including the applicant organization) and the scope and strategies of 

the proposed project. 

4. Potential Impact (20%).

Potential for a significant scientific or technical advance(s) that will improve 

criminal/juvenile justice in the United States. 

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Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated 

criminal/juvenile justice problem. 

Potential for innovative solution to address (all or a significant part of) the 

stated criminal/juvenile justice problem. 

Strength and feasibility of the proposed dissemination plan to produce 

scholarly products (such as published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal 

articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, technological 

prototypes, patented inventions, databases, standards or similar scientific 

products) as well as make summary information available to broader 

interested audiences, such as criminal justice practitioners or policymakers. 

5. Budget (0%).

In addition, peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following 

additional items in the context of scientific and technical merit. 

Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities. 

Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit (cost effectiveness). 

Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

b. Additional Review Criteria

Other important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities 

(specifically including, but not limited to, those mentioned above relating to addressing 

specific challenges that rural communities face, high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty 

counties, demonstrable potential enhancement to public safety in one or more federally 

designated Qualified Opportunity Zones), available funding, past performance, and the 

extent to which the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form) 

accurately explain 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 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 stated review criteria above. 

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

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

applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs: 

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. 

The application, if submitted by an applicant that is a DOJ High Risk Grantee, or is 

designated “high risk” by a federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ, must not 

have been determined by the NIJ Director to pose a substantial risk of program 

implementation failure, based on 1) the applicant’s lack of sufficient progress in 

addressing required corrective actions necessary for removal of the DOJ High Risk 

Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) designation, 2) the nature and severity of the issues 

leading to or accompanying the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) 

designation, and/or 3) the applicant’s expected ability to manage grant funds and 

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achieve grant goals and objectives. 

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. Among other things to help 

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

respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks whether the applicant is listed in 

SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award. 

In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $250,000 in federal funds, OJP also must 

review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public segment of 

the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee 

Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS). 

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant, may review and comment on any information about itself 

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

any such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in its assessment 

of the risk posed by the applicant. 

All final award decisions will be made by Director of the National Institute of Justice, 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 

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

instructions. 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

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 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 information on 

information technology security. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting 

Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in the Program Description section, any recipient of an 

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

Required reports. Recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, quarterly, semi-annual 

progress reports, final financial and progress reports, final research 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 measures data. 

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Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For questions directed to the Federal Awarding Agency, see NCJRS contact information on page 2. 

For contact information for Grants.gov, see page 2. 

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 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 research in social and 

behavioral sciences having 

clear implications for criminal 

justice policy and practice in 

the United States. 

1. Relevance to the needs of the field as 

measured by whether the project’s 

substantive scope did not deviate from the 

funded project or any subsequent agencyapproved modifications to the scope. 

2. 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. 

3. Quality of management as measured by 

such factors as whether significant project 

milestones were achieved, reporting and 

other deadlines were met, and costs 

remained within approved limits. 

1. Quarterly financial reports, semiannual and final progress reports, 

and products of the work performed 

under the NIJ award (including, at 

minimum, a final research report). If 

applicable, an annual audit report. 

2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly 

products that resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded under the NIJ 

award. 

3. If applicable, each data set that 

resulted in whole or in part from 

work funded under the NIJ award. 

Application Checklist 

Research and Evaluation on the Administration of Justice, Fiscal 

Year 2021 

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

What an Applicant Must Do: 

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov: 

Acquire a DUNS Number (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

To Register with Grants.gov: 

Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

To Find Funding Opportunity: 

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Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov        

Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see 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, reporting available 

at ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

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

Cooperative Agreements - FY 2021 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Scope Requirement: 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of  $3 million. 

Eligibility Requirement: 

State governments 

Special district governments 

City or township governments 

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 

County governments 

Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal 

governments) 

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher 

education 

Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions 

of higher education 

Private institutions of higher education 

For profit organizations other than small businesses 

Independent school districts 

Small businesses 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, 

the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virginia Islands, Guam, 

American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are 

not eligible to apply. Federal agencies are eligible to apply. (Any award made to a 

federal agency will be made as an inter-agency reimbursable agreement.)  

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

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After SF-424 and SF-LLL Submission in Grants.gov, Receive Grants.gov Email Notifications That: 

Submission has been received in Grants.gov 

Submission has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

If No Grants.gov Receipt, and Validation or Error Notifications are Received: 

Contact the NCJRS Response Center regarding technical difficulties (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 

Complete Application in JustGrants 

Content of Application Submission: 

The following items are critical application elements required to pass Basic Minimum Requirements 

review.  An application that OJP determines does not include the application elements that must be 

included in the application submission in order for the application to meet the basic minimum 

requirements, will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration. 

Proposal Narrative (see page 13) 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form) (see page 16) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel (see page 17) 

~~~ 

Content of Application Submission 

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

Standard Applicant Information (SF-424 info from Grants.gov) 

Proposal Abstract 

Proposal Narrative 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (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 

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Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) [insert if applicable] (see OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide) 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Documentation of rural challenges (if applicable) 

Documentation of high-poverty or persistent poverty counties (if applicable) 

Documentation of enhanced public safety in federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones 

(if applicable) 

Disclosures and Assurances 

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

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (Pending Applications) (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurance (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) 

Submit Application in JustGrants: 

Application has been successfully submitted in JustGrants 

If No JustGrants Application Submission, Validation, or Error Notifications are Received: 

Contact JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833–872–5175 regarding technical difficulties 

Endnotes 

[1] Visit NIJ’s website for more information on NIJ’s Courts Research at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/courts. 

[2] Cassell, P. G., & Fowles, R. (2020). Does bail reform increase crime? An empirical 

assessment of the public safety implications of bail reform in Cook County, Illinois. Salt Lake 

City: University of Utah, S. J. Quinney College of Law. 

[3] Drug Court Performance Measures, Program Evaluation and Cost Efficiency – Logic 

Model for Adult Drug Courts, https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/drug-court-performancemeasures-program-evaluation-and-cost-efficiency-logic-model#costanalysis. 

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