Notices regarding the solicitation “NIJ FY24 Domestic Radicalization and Violent

Extremism Research Center of Excellence” 

January 18, 2024: The Period of Performance Start Date on page 14 has been changed from 

7/1/2024 to 1/1/2025. 

January 9, 2024: Access the transcript and slides from an NIJ-hosted webinar discussing this 

opportunity.

December 12, 2023: References to “New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity” have been 

removed from this solicitation. 

The original funding opportunity document begins on the next page.
Page 1 O-NIJ-2024-171923

OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 12/31/2023

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice

NIJ FY24 Domestic Radicalization and Violent 

Extremism Research Center of Excellence

Assistance Listing Number: 16.560

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2024-171923

Solicitation Release Date: November 30, 2023

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline: 11:59 p.m. eastern time on February 15, 2024

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline: 8:59 p.m. eastern time on February 29, 2024

Contents

Synopsis .................................................................................................................................... 4

Overview............................................................................................................................. 4

Eligibility.............................................................................................................................. 4

Agency Contact Description................................................................................................ 5

Pre-application Information Session.................................................................................... 5

Application Submission Information .................................................................................... 5

Registration ..................................................................................................................... 5

Submission...................................................................................................................... 5

Program Description Overview............................................................................................ 7

Statutory Authority .............................................................................................................. 8

Specific Information ............................................................................................................ 8

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables...................................................................................11

Goals..............................................................................................................................11

Objectives ......................................................................................................................12

Deliverables ...................................................................................................................12

Priority Areas .....................................................................................................................12

Awards, Amounts, and Durations.......................................................................................13
Page 2 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Continuation Funding Intent ...............................................................................................14

Availability of Funds ...........................................................................................................14

Type of Award....................................................................................................................14

Financial Management and System Controls .....................................................................14

Budget Information.............................................................................................................14

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement .............................................................................15

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs)....................................................15

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver...........................15

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs................16

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) ...............................................16

Notice regarding law enforcement agencies.......................................................................16

Content of Application Submission and Available Surveys.................................................16

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov 17

Entity and User Verification (First Time Applicant)..........................................................17

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants SF-424 and General Agency Information)..17

Proposal Abstract...........................................................................................................18

Proposal Narrative..........................................................................................................18

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline................................................................20

Budget and Associated Documentation .............................................................................21

Budget Web-Based Form ...............................................................................................21

Pre-Agreement Cost.......................................................................................................22

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) ..................................................................22

Consultant Rate..............................................................................................................22

Employee Compensation Waiver....................................................................................22

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including 

applicant disclosure of high-risk status)..........................................................................22

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation............................................22

Additional Application Components, Disclosures and Assurances .....................................22

Additional Application Components ................................................................................22

Disclosures and Assurances ..........................................................................................24

How to Apply, Submission Date and Time, and Add Sections............................................25

How to Apply ..................................................................................................................25

Submission Dates and Time...........................................................................................26
Page 3 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application....26

Review Criteria...................................................................................................................27

Review Process .................................................................................................................29

Federal Award Notices.......................................................................................................30

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements.........................................30

Information Technology Security Clauses ..........................................................................30

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements ..........................30

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 552 and 552a) ................................31

Provide Feedback to OJP ..................................................................................................31

Pre-Application ..................................................................................................................32

Application Step 1..............................................................................................................32

Application Step 2..............................................................................................................33

Review, Certify, and Submit Application in JustGrants.......................................................34
Page 4 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Synopsis

Overview

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

Justice (NIJ) seeks applications for funding to establish a Center of Excellence (COE) for 

research on the domestic radicalization to violent extremism phenomenon in the United States. 

This Center will conduct (and/or support through sub-awards) rigorous research, evaluation and 

demonstration projects targeted toward developing a better understanding of the phenomenon, 

and advancing evidence-based strategies for effective intervention and prevention. This 

program furthers the DOJ’s mission by supporting the development of new knowledge and tools 

to address the challenges of crime and justice in the United States through fundamental 

research.

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.

Eligibility

• 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

• Unrestricted (open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field 

entitled as Additional Information on Eligibility

• Private institutions of higher education

• For profit organizations other than small businesses

• Independent school districts

• Small businesses

An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one application.

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. 

 
Page 5 O-NIJ-2024-171923

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2024 solicitation in future fiscal 

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

availability of appropriations.

Agency Contact Description

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

phone at 800-851-3420, 301-240-6310 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only), or email at 

grants@ncjrs.gov. The OJP Response Center operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern 

Time (ET) Monday-Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date.

For contact procedures related to unforeseen technical issues beyond the control of the 

applicant that impact submission by the deadlines, see the “How To Apply” section, 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues. 

For assistance with submitting the Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF-424)

and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (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 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 

except on federal holidays.

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 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 

5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

Pre-application Information Session

NIJ will hold a solicitation webinar on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 

p.m. 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://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/r3b134d85db9a981462a01e4612a434e0

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

Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Submit your questions to Rayna.Enriquez@usdoj.gov with the 

subject as “Questions for NIJ FY24 Domestic Radicalization and Violent Extremism Research 

Center of Excellence Webinar.”

Application Submission Information

Registration

Before submitting an application, an applicant must have a registration in the System for Award 

Management (SAM.gov). 

 

Submission
Page 6 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step process that begins in 

Grants.gov and is completed in JustGrants. See page 5 for the Grants.gov and JustGrants 

application deadlines.

Step 1: The applicant must register for this opportunity in Grants.gov at 

https://grants.gov/register and submit by the Grants.gov deadline the required Application for 

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

See solicitation cover page for application deadlines.

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

JustGrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants application deadline. See solicitation cover page for 

application deadlines.
Page 7 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Program Description

Program Description Overview

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

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

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

law enforcement and the community.

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals to establish a COE for research and evaluation on the 

domestic radicalization to violent extremism phenomenon. This Center will perform four core 

functions:

1. Conduct (and/or support through multiple sub-awards) rigorous research, evaluation, 

and demonstration projects targeted toward developing a better understanding of the

phenomenon and advancing evidence-based strategies for effective intervention and 

prevention.

2. Assess the research needs of the field.

3. Translate and disseminate knowledge by developing a suite of evidence-driven best 

practices and guidelines for immediate reference by practitioners.

4. Supporting training, education, and professional development of practitioners engaged in 

extremism prevention and intervention using that suite of evidence-driven best practices 

and guidelines.

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

engagement with those of lived experience regarding 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. Applicants are encouraged to 

propose multidisciplinary research teams to build on the complementary strengths of different 

methods and areas of subject matter expertise. NIJ also seeks proposals that include 

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

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

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal justice or other agencies 

should include a letter of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making 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 an 

award funded by NIJ 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 NIJ’s data archiving guidance. If selected for an award, grantees will be 

expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2025. 

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

award.

NIJ seeks proposals presenting robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies 

which include strategic partnerships with organizations and associations that are best equipped 

to ensure that research findings lead to changes in policies and practices related to the subjects 

of study. Special consideration will be given to proposals that dedicate at least 15% of the 
Page 8 O-NIJ-2024-171923

requested project award funding toward implementing such strategies, as demonstrated in the 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative.

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. The applicant is expected to conduct a majority of 

the work proposed.

Statutory Authority

Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202); the

Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233, 235); 28 U.S.C. 530C.

Specific Information

NIJ seeks proposals for the establishment of a COE for research on the domestic radicalization 

to violent extremism phenomenon in the United States.

Definitions and Scope

NIJ’s intent in releasing this solicitation is to establish a COE that will build knowledge about 

violent extremism, terrorism, and radicalization in the United States, regardless of specific 

grievance or ideology, in order to support the furtherance of criminal justice practice, policy, and 

research, and to foster the implementation of that knowledge into practice.

For the purposes of this solicitation, violent extremists are defined as those who advocate, 

encourage, condone, justify, or support the commission of a violent act to achieve terroristic 

goals. “Terrorism” is defined as ideologically motivated acts of violence to further political, 

social, or religious goals. The U.S. Code defines domestic terrorism as acts dangerous to 

human life, primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, that are a violation of 

the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, and appear to be intended to: 1) 

intimidate or coerce a civilian population; 2) influence the policy of a government by intimidation 

or coercion; or 3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or 

kidnapping (18 U.S.C. § 2331(5)). “Radicalization to violent extremism” is defined as the 

process by which individuals increasingly adopt a violent extremist or terrorist ideology. Note: an 

individual may be radicalized and adopt an extremist ideology without engaging in any acts of 

violence or terrorism. The distinction between violent and non-violent radicalization is an 

important one, and applicants should demonstrate awareness of this distinction in their 

proposals. Under this solicitation, applicants will be limited to focusing on the radicalization 

process as it occurs in the United States, regardless of the locale of any act of terrorism that 

may ensue from that process.

The COE will be expected to focus its research efforts on studying the most current and 

pervasive violent extremist threats facing the United Sates.

NIJ will be the final approving authority for activities under all Core Functions listed below.

Core Functions
Page 9 O-NIJ-2024-171923

The core functions of the COE will include (but will not be limited to) the following:

1. Conducting and Supporting Research and Evaluation: The COE will conduct and/or 

solicit (through an open and competitive request for proposals) research on various 

topics as they relate to radicalization and violent extremism, including but not limited to:

• Research to inform terrorism prevention efforts that build and improve upon existing 

research in the area of terrorism prevention, including research that improves 

program development, data sources, and methods.

• Research on the role of communications in promoting and countering extremist 

content and information that aims to better understand the dynamic role of 

communications and media platforms in radicalization to violent extremist ideologies; 

identifies strategies and best-practices to bolster resistance to such material in both 

the on- and offline spaces; and informs effective messaging and counternarrative 

campaigns.

• Research on disengagement, deradicalization, and reintegration into society of 

individuals incarcerated for terrorism related offenses (both within and outside of 

confinement settings), as well as how these processes relate to or differ from 

individuals incarcerated for other crimes (e.g., related to gangs).

• Evaluations of programs and practices to prevent acts of terrorism (particularly 

impact and outcome evaluations). Formative evaluations and evaluability 

assessments are of interest, as are outcome evaluations.

• Investigator-initiated research into domestic radicalization and violent extremism. 

Important Considerations:

 

• Protecting civil rights and liberties must be prioritized at the forefront of any research 

design funded by the COE. 

• The COE will not support research that solely examines the conventional political 

views of individuals or groups, including their participation in non-violent forms of 

political activism.

• Research designs supported through the COE shall not intentionally introduce, 

expose, or disseminate extremist materials and/or propaganda to study participants.

• Research designs supported through the COE must include a specific plan to 

anonymize data and personally identifiable information. Moreover, no identifiable 

research data will be shared with law enforcement or investigative agencies.

• Research designs supported through the COE cannot employ deceptive or nonprivatized data collection practices.

• Research designs supported through the COE will ensure protection of human 

subjects and privacy in line with NIJ Human Subjects and Privacy Protection policy. 
Page 10 O-NIJ-2024-171923

• Research supported through the COE will be peer reviewed and made publicly 

available. Data sets supported through the COE will be archived with the National 

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

2. Assessing the Research Needs of the Field: Prevention and intervention efforts 

related to radicalization to violent extremism requires a “whole of society” approach. 

Under this core function, the COE will continually identify and assess the highest priority 

research and evaluation needs of radicalization and violent extremism prevention and 

intervention communities, along with potential solutions to those needs. A secondary 

goal of this core function is to enhance communication and information-sharing within 

and across public and private sectors at local, state, and national levels on the highest 

priority needs of prevention and intervention practitioners. This may include: (1) 

standalone and/or recurring convening with, or briefings to, multiple stakeholder groups, 

including the federal interagency, to share findings and improve research rigor, or similar 

activities; and/or (2) periodically recurring convenings (program status meetings, 

workshops) of current and former NIJ award recipients of the Domestic Radicalization 

and Violent Extremism research portfolio to share findings and actionable next steps to 

improve rigor in research and enhance the evidence base.

3. Translating and Disseminating Knowledge: The COE will translate knowledge for 

practice purposes and promote this information through targeted dissemination efforts. 

The COE will conduct periodic literature reviews and synthesis exercises of both COE 

and non-COE-funded research, which will be combined with the updated needs of the 

field (see Core Function #1) to develop and disseminate a suite of best practice tools 

and guidelines for immediate reference by practitioners. The tools will describe research 

findings in accessible and actionable ways. The COE will continuously disseminate tools 

to a multitude of audiences through a variety of platforms or mechanisms.

4. Providing Opportunities for Training, Education, and Professional Development:

The COE will develop and offer training courses for practitioners working in the field of 

extremism prevention and intervention on the suite of best practice tools and guidelines 

developed under function #3 to foster adoption and evidence-to-action. Graduates of the 

training program will be encouraged to engage in their own research endeavors and 

publish their findings, thus melding the strengths of rigorous data collection and analysis 

with the insights gained when research is conducted by individuals with direct 

experience in the field. Further, this core function of the COE will serve as a mechanism 

for empowering local communities to familiarize themselves with the local social and 

political contexts where they live, what ideologies or grievances are most prevalent 

there, and to map out services and resources in the local communities to build 

multidisciplinary initiatives for extremism prevention and intervention. This core function 

may be carried out through several means, including (but not limited to): 

a. Regular engagement and symposia with frontline practitioners (social workers, 

mental health and related service providers, educators, non-profit organizations, 

violence prevention and intervention specialists, relevant law enforcement 

practitioners or liaisons, etc.).

b. Facilitated workshops between researchers and practitioners to share findings, 

identify needs and obstacles, and agreed-upon recommendations on how to 

overcome the identified challenges. 
Page 11 O-NIJ-2024-171923

c. Participation in relevant practitioner conferences. 

Additional Considerations: The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of the following 

considerations:

• Using Existing Infrastructures:

As much as possible, applicants will be required to use existing programming, policies, 

and infrastructure in place to execute the mission of the COE. These efforts may present 

themselves in the form of partnerships (subawards) or expert advice (consultants), 

among others. Applicants who do not propose to subcontract with other 

agencies/organizations/partners in these capacities (i.e., who propose to do the work 

themselves as the sole recipient of these funds) will not be considered for funding.

• Applying a Justice Lens:

Applicants should take great care to ensure that the work proposed in the application 

does not duplicate efforts already underway (e.g., the Department of Homeland 

Security’s National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center 

(NCITE)). Applicants should ensure that the focus of the application is not on applied 

research, technology, or workforce development that has a homeland security lens. 

Rather, applicants should highlight how the proposed effort supports the furtherance of 

criminal justice practice, policy, and research. Specifically, proposals should advance 

OJP’s mission by focusing on providing resources, leadership, and solutions to advance 

community safety, build community trust, and strengthen the community’s role as coproducer of safety and justice.

• Maintenance and Longevity of the COE:

Supplemental funding will be based on, among other factors, availability of federal funds, 

NIJ priorities, and successful execution of the functions of the current COE. In their 

applications, applicants should propose a plan for sustaining the COE absent 

supplemental funding from NIJ.

Diversity of Perspectives

NIJ is interested in increasing diversity and promoting greater inclusion in extremism research. 

NIJ encourages diversity of perspectives among applicants to add to the broader scientific 

understanding of radicalization to violent extremism. Applications are encouraged from 

researchers of all backgrounds, and research partnerships should demonstrate how the 

researchers and/or practitioners involved in any proposal promote inclusivity and opportunities 

to be more closely involved in the field of violent extremism prevention.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

Goals

The goal of this solicitation is to develop knowledge and evidence that has practical utility in 

developing evidence-driven strategies to prevent radicalization to violent extremism and the 

commission of acts of terrorism. The goal of this solicitation is also to support the translation of 

that evidence into action and practice.
Page 12 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Objectives

An applicant should address the objectives that are relevant to their proposed program/project 

in the Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline web-based form.

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. Final reports submitted by the COE to NIJ should 

include detailed information on activities completed by the COE and any/all subawardees, 

including a full listing of all accompanying scholarly products.

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 

show the completed work's results, as discussed in the "Application and Submission 

Information" section.

 

Priority Areas 

In order to further OJP’s mission, OJP will provide priority consideration when making award 

decisions to the following:

1A. Applications that propose project(s) that are designed to meaningfully advance equity and 

remove barriers to accessing services and opportunities for communities that have been 

historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately 

impacted by crime, violence, and victimization.

To receive this consideration, the applicant must describe how the proposed project(s) will 

address identified inequities and contribute to greater access to services and opportunities for 

communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by 

inequality, and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. Project 

activities under this consideration may include, but are not limited to the following: improving 

victim services, justice responses, prevention initiatives, reentry services and other parts of an 

organization's or community’s efforts to advance public safety. Applicants should propose 

activities that address the cultural (and linguistic, if appropriate) needs of communities, outline 

how the proposed activities will be informed by these communities, and implement culturally 

responsive and inclusive outreach and engagement.
Page 13 O-NIJ-2024-171923

1B. Applicants that demonstrate that their capabilities and competencies for implementing their 

proposed project(s) are enhanced because they (or at least one proposed subrecipient that will 

receive at least 40% of the requested award funding, as demonstrated in the Budget webbased form) are a population specific organization that serves communities that have been 

historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately 

impacted by crime, violence, and victimization.

For purposes of this solicitation, population specific organizations are nonprofit, 

nongovernmental, or tribal organizations that primarily serve members of a specific underserved 

population and have demonstrated experience and expertise providing targeted services to 

members of that specific underserved population.

To receive this additional priority consideration, applicants must describe how being a 

population specific organization (or funding the population specific subrecipient organization(s)) 

will enhance their ability to implement the proposed project(s) and should also specify which 

historically underserved populations are intended or expected to be served or have their needs 

addressed under the proposed project(s).

2. 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)

• 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 these priority areas is one of many factors that NIJ considers in making 

funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration for one or more priority areas does not 

guarantee an award.

Federal Award Information

Awards, Amounts, and Durations

Anticipated Number of Awards: NIJ expects to make one (1) award as a cooperative agreement.
Page 14 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards: Up to $7 million for one (1) award. Applicants

are encouraged to submit budgets that match the research activities offered, up to the total

dollar amount anticipated to be awarded under this solicitation. 

Period of Performance Start Date: 01/01/2025

Period of Performance Duration (Months): Applicants are encouraged to submit timelines that

match the research activities proposed, up to a maximum five-year (60 months) period of

performance.

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation: $7 million

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 the award-funded work’s 

progress, when making continuation award decisions.

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 one award under this solicitation as a cooperative agreement. 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 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
Page 15 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 2024, 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 2024 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, or to provide direct 

services. (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.

• Applications that intentionally introduce, expose, or disseminate extremist materials and 

propaganda to study participants.

• Applications that do not include an explicit plan to anonymize data and personally 

identifiable information.

• Applications that employ deceptive or non-privatized data collection practices. 

• Applications that provide identifiable research data to law enforcement or investigative 

agencies.

The applicant should identify within their budget which items, services, etc. will/would be 

covered by matching sources and explain what type of match will be provided.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

See “Cofunding” paragraph under “Budget and Associated Documentation” in the “Application 

and Submission Information” section.

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.
Page 16 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 solicitation page 4. 

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

section. 

For the purposes of this solicitation, “state” means any state of the United States, the District of 

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin 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.)

Notice regarding law enforcement agencies

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 2023 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 certification requirement, please visit 

Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities page to access the “Standards for 

Certification on Safe Policing for Safe Communities,” the “Implementation Fact Sheet,” and the 

“List of Designated Independent Credentialing Bodies.” 

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

management fee.

Application and Submission Information

Content of Application Submission and Available Surveys
Page 17 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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: 

• Proposal Narrative. 

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

budget narrative.)

• Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel. (For purposes of this solicitation, “key 

personnel” means the principal investigator, and any and all co-principal investigators.)

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.”)

Entity and User Verification (First Time Applicant)

For first time JustGrants applicants, once the application is received from Grants.gov, DOJ will 

send an email (from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov) to the individual listed in Section 8F of the 

SF-424 with instructions on how to create a JustGrants account. This email should arrive within 

24 hours after this individual receives confirmation from Grants.gov of their SF-424 and SF-LLL 

submissions. Register the Entity Administrator (the person who manages who can access 

JustGrants on behalf of the applicant), the Application Submitter, and Authorized 

Representative for the applicant with JustGrants as early as possible and (recommended) not 

later than 48-72 hours before the JustGrants deadline. Once registered in JustGrants, the 

Application Submitter will receive a link in an email to complete the rest of the application in 

JustGrants. Find additional information on JustGrants Application Submission in the Application 

Resource Guide. 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants SF-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.
Page 18 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Proposal Abstract

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

its purpose, primary activities, expected outcomes, the service area, intended beneficiaries, and 

subrecipients (if known) — must be completed in the JustGrants web-based 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 attached

document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font; have no less than 1-inch 

margins; and should not exceed 30 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.

The Proposal Narrative should include the following sections:

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

The title page should include:

• Project title.

• Submission date.

• Funding opportunity number.

• Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators).

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

available.

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

c. 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 
Page 19 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 programspecific 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.

If an applicant is seeking consideration under Priority 1A, it should explain in this section 

how the proposed project(s) will meaningfully address identified inequities and

contribute to greater access to services and opportunities for communities that have 

been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and 

disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. The applicant should 

also identify how the project design and implementation will specifically incorporate the 

input and/or participation of these communities.

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 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. Among other factors, that plan should include a 

description of the anticipated level of effort of key personnel.

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1B, it should: (1) describe 

within this section how being a population specific organization (or funding a population 
Page 20 O-NIJ-2024-171923

specific subrecipient organization at a minimum of 40% of the project budget) will 

enhance its capabilities and competencies to implement the proposed project; (2) 

specify which populations are intended or expected to be served, have their needs 

addressed, and/or be affected by the proposed project; and (3) include information to 

confirm that the population specific organization is specifically designed to serve 

communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected 

by inequality, and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and victimization 

(examples of such information include, but are not limited to, the website address, 

charter, mission statement, or operating principles of the population specific 

organization).

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

• The project management plan.

• If the application (including the budget) identifies any proposed non-competitive 

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).

6. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures 

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 

completed work’s results. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, 

and deliverables identified in the “Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” discussion.

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

for an overview of performance measurement activities at OJP.

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

“Performance Measures” section below. 

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

financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and the final research report and 

separately submit a semi-annual performance report in JustGrants. NIJ will provide 

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

award.

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline

The applicant will submit the project’s goals, objectives, deliverables, and timeline in the 

JustGrants web-based form. The applicant will also enter the projected fiscal year and quarter 

that each objective and deliverable will be completed. Please refer to the Application 

Submission Job Aid for step-by-step directions. 
Page 21 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Goals: The applicant should describe the project’s intent to change, reduce, or eliminate the 

problem noted in the previous section and outline the project’s goals.

Program Objectives: The applicant should explain how the program will accomplish its goals. 

Objectives are specific, quantifiable statements of the project’s desired results. They should be 

measurable and clearly linked to the goal and measurable.

Deliverables: Project deliverables refer to outputs — tangible or intangible — that are 

submitted within the scope of a project.

Budget and Associated Documentation

Budget 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 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% 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.

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1A and has proposed activities to 

incorporate the input and participation of communities that have been historically underserved, 

marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately impacted by crime, 

violence and victimization, financial support for the identified activities and participation must be 

reflected in the web-based budget form.

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1B based on the identification of a 

proposed subrecipient as a population specific organization, the proposed funding for the 

subrecipient must reflect a minimum of 40% of the total award funding within the web-based 

budget form. The budget narrative must also describe how the activities that will be funded

with the (minimum) 40% of award funding provided to the subrecipient specifically relate to 

the proposed project that will meaningfully address identified inequities and contribute to 
Page 22 O-NIJ-2024-171923

greater access to services and opportunities for communities that have been historically 

underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately impacted by 

crime, violence, and victimization.

Pre-Agreement Cost

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

Award Requirements for more information.

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 additional information on 

indirect costs.

Consultant Rate

See the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for information on the consultant rates that 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 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire helps OJP assess 

the financial management and internal control systems, and the associated potential risks of an 

applicant as part of the pre-award risk assessment process. Every OJP applicant (other than an 

individual applying in their personal capacity, not representing an applicant organization) is 

required to complete the web-based Questionnaire form in JustGrants. See the Application 

Resource Guide: Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire 

(including Applicant Disclosure of High Risk Status) for the questions and additional guidance 

on how to complete the form.

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, Disclosures and Assurances

Additional Application Components

The applicant will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants.
Page 23 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

Provide 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)

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of tribal authorizing 

documentation as an attachment. If applicable, the applicant will upload the tribal authorizing 

documentation as an attachment in JustGrants. 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

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/Charts/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, 

development, or evaluation project. Applicants should use the “Proposed Project Staff, 

Affiliation, and Roles” form available on the NIJ webpage to prepare this list.
Page 24 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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/humansubjects-protection. 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-costsand-incentives-social-science-research.

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

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. 

Applications should include as a separate file 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.

Disclosures and Assurances

The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances. 
Page 25 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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.

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 Certified Standard Assurances

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

Application Resource Guide for additional information.

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

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

Community Policing

Review and accept in JustGrants the DOJ 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.

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, Submission Date and Time, and Add Sections

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://grants.gov/register by the Grants.gov deadline. Submit the SF-424 and 
Page 26 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 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. ET on February 

15, 2024.

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024.

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 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 
Page 27 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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.gov Help Desk (Federal Service Desk), Monday-Friday from 

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 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 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, Sunday, 

and federal holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 (provide screenshots if applicable). 

• 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). 

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

documenting the technical issue.

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 

that does not provide documentation of a technical issue (including all information listed above), 

or that 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 Application Resource Guide. 

Application Review Information

Review Criteria

Merit Review Criteria
Page 28 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 (understanding of the problem) (15%)

• 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.

Project Design and Implementation (quality and technical merit) (45%)

• 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.

Capabilities and Competencies (capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience 

of the applicant organization and proposed project staff) (15%)

• 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.

Potential Impact (20%)

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

criminal/juvenile justice in the United States.

• 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.

Budget (5%)
Page 29 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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.

• Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort.

• Use of existing resources to conserve costs.

Other Review Criteria/Factors

Other important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities

(specifically including, but not limited to, those priority areas already mentioned, if applicable),

available funding, past performance, 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.

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 entity that appears in the nonpublic 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 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

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 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, semi-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 postaward reporting requirements, including performance measure data.

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

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

see page 5. 

Page 30 O-NIJ-2024-171923
Page 31 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Other Information

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

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

Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 552 and 552a).

Provide Feedback to OJP

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

Performance Measures

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides

Conduct research in 1. Relevance to the needs of the 1. Quarterly financial reports, 

social and behavioral field as measured by whether the semi-annual and final 

sciences having clear project’s substantive scope did not performance reports, and 

implications for deviate from the funded project or products of the work 

criminal justice policy any subsequent agency-approved performed under the NIJ 

and practice in the modifications to the scope. award (including, at minimum, 

United States. a final research report). If 

applicable, an annual audit 

report. 

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. 

2. List of citation(s) to all 

scholarly products that 

resulted, in whole or in part, 

from work funded under the 

NIJ award.

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. 

3. If applicable, each data set 

that resulted, in whole or in 

part, from work funded under 

the NIJ award. 
Page 32 O-NIJ-2024-171923

Application Checklist

NIJ FY24 Domestic Radicalization and Violent Extremism Research 

Center of Excellence

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:

• Confirm your entity’s registration in the System Award Management (SAM.gov). 

Registration is active through the solicitation period; submit a new or renewal registration 

in SAM.gov if needed (see Application Resource Guide). 

Register in Grants.gov

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

and password (see Application Resource Guide). 

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

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 Application 

Resource Guide). 

• Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see Application Resource Guide) 

• Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov (about browser compatibility 

and special characters in file names). 

• Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting 

available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postawardrequirements#6g3y8 (see 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 $7 million. 

Review Eligibility Requirement:

• Review the Eligibility section on page 4.

•

~~~~

Application Step 1

Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov. 
Page 33 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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

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

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

• Entity and User Verification (First Time Applicant).

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

• Proposal Abstract. 

• Proposal Narrative.* 

Budget and Associated Documentation

• Budget Web-Based form.*

• Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see Application 

Resource Guide). 

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see Application Resource Guide). 

• Disclosure of Process related to Executive Compensation (see Application Resource 

Guide). 

Additional Application Components

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide). 

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

Resource Guide). 

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

Grant Application Resource Guide). 

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes.*

• Timeline Form. 

• Letters of Support. 

• Bibliography/reference. 
Page 34 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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

• List of Individuals. 

• Human Subjects. 

• Privacy Certificate. 

• Request to Use Incentives or Stipends. 

• Consortium/Contractual Arrangements. 

• Data Archiving Plan. 

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; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; and Law Enforcement and 

Community Policing (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 the 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.

 
Page 35 O-NIJ-2024-171923

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 resources 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.