Notices regarding the solicitation “NIJ FY22 Youth Mentoring Research and

Evaluation” 

April 6, 2022: NIJ has added FAQs related to this solicitation. See the funding detail page. 

March 14, 2022: NIJ has has extended the Grants.gov deadline to April 20, 2022

March 9, 2022: NIJ has added the following FAQ for this solicitation: 

Question: How does NIJ define "youth" for the purposes of this solicitation? 

Answer: In keeping with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's 

approach to youth mentoring, applicants are encouraged to focus research and evaluation 

efforts on mentoring services provided to youth who are 17 years old or younger at the time 

of admission to the program. 

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

Approval Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

NIJ FY22 Youth Mentoring Research and Evaluation 

Assistance Listing Number # 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: 

Solicitation Release Date: 

Version: 

Grants.gov Deadline: 

Application JustGrants Deadline: 

16.560 

O-NIJ-2022-171185

March 04, 2022 2:30 PM 

3 

April 20, 2022 11:59 PM 

May 03, 2022 8:59 PM 

Overview 

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

applications for rigorous youth mentoring research and evaluation projects to address one or more of the following priority 

areas: (1) increasing the capacity for achieving broad, population-level impacts; (2) understanding how mentoring can 

advance change mechanisms promoting positive youth development; (3) examining program participation long-term 

effects; and (4) optimizing program effectiveness through iterative cycles of development paired with rigorous evaluation 

feedback. 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. 

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

Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants to prepare and submit applications to OJP for funding. If this 

solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, the applicant is to 

follow the guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision. 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Eligible Applicants: 

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

Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal 

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

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

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

institutions of higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Small businesses, Special 

district governments, State governments, Other 

Other 

For purposes of this solicitation, “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. 

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, the Attorney General determined that all state, 

local, and university or college law enforcement agencies must be certified by an approved independent credentialing 

body or have started the certification process, to be eligible for FY 2022 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 

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

for Safe Communities, the Implementation Fact Sheet, and the List of Designated Independent Credentialing Bodies. 

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

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

NIJ will consider applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal award; however, only one entity 

may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as subrecipients (subgrantees). For additional information on 

subawards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2022 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among 

other considerations, the merit of the applications and the availability of appropriations. 

Contact Information 

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

of Lobbying Activities form (SF-LLL) in Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 

606-545-5035, Grants.gov Customer Support, or support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 

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

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ's Justice Grants System (JustGrants), contact the 

JustGrants Service Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 

a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the OJP Response Center by telephone at 800-851-

3420 or TTY: 301-240-6310 (hearing impaired only), or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. The OJP Response Center hours 

of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., eastern time Monday–Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the solicitation 

closing date. 

Submission Information 

Applications will be submitted to DOJ in two steps: 

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

form (SF)-424 and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form when they register in Grants.gov at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. To register in Grants.gov, applicants will need to obtain a Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM) registration or renewal. 

Beginning April 4, 2022, the Federal government will cease using the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number 

to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the Federal government will use a Unique Entity 

Identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov. If your entity is currently registered in SAM.gov, your UEI has already been assigned 

and is viewable in SAM.gov. This includes inactive registrations. For additional information, see the Unique Entity Identifier 

Update and the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

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

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

encourages applicants to review the “How to Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the 

JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training. 

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Contents 

Contact Information 2 

Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 6 

Priority Areas 7 

Federal Award Information 8 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 8 

Continuation Funding Intent 8 

Availability of Funds 8 

Types of Awards 8 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 8 

Budget Information 8 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 9 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 9 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 9 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 9 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 9 

Anticipated Number of Awards 9 

Maximum Dollar Amount for each Award 9 

Period of Performance Duration 9 

Eligibility Information 9 

Application and Submission Information 10 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 10 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 10 

Proposal Abstract 10 

Proposal Narrative 10 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 12 

Budget and Associated Documentation 12 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 12 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 13 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 13 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 13 

Additional Application Components 13 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 13 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 13 

Timeline Form 13 

Letters of Support 13 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 13 

Bibliography/reference 13 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 13 

List of Individuals in the Application 14 

Human Subjects Protection 14 

Privacy Certificate 14 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 14 

Documentation of “New Investigator/Early Career” Status, if applicable 14 

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Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 14 

Data Archiving Plan 14 

Disclosures and Assurances 15 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 15 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 15 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 15 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; 

and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 15 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 15 

How to Apply 15 

Submission Dates and Time 15 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues 15 

Application Review Information 16 

Review Criteria 16 

Review Process 17 

Federal Award Administration Information 17 

Federal Award Notices 18 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 18 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 18 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 18 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 18 

Other Information 18 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 18 

Provide Feedback to OJP 18 

Performance Measures 18 

Application Checklist 19 

Endnotes 21 

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Program Description 

Overview 

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

crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from 

crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. 

Mentoring is a prominent strategy for delinquency prevention and victimization recovery that offers at-risk youth structured 

support from older or more experienced mentors to provide positive role models and promote resilience. With this 

solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for rigorous youth mentoring research and evaluation projects to address one or more 

of the following research priorities: (1) increasing the capacity for achieving broad, population-level impacts; (2) 

understanding how mentoring can advance change mechanisms promoting positive youth development; (3) examining 

program participation long-term effects; and (4) optimizing program effectiveness through iterative cycles of development 

paired with rigorous evaluation feedback. 

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with mentoring, juvenile justice, or other agencies, should include a 

strong 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 this project will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data 

(NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to review the NACJD’s 

policies and protections at (NACJD). If selected for award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement in place 

with partnering agencies by January 1, 2023. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the data archiving 

requirements of the award. 

In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple partnering agencies to carry out the 

proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency may be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in 

response to this solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. 

Statutory Authority 

Any awards under this solicitation would be made under statutory authority provided by a full-year appropriations 

act for FY 2022. As of the writing of this solicitation, the Department of Justice is operating under a short-term 

"Continuing Resolution"; no full-year appropriation for the Department has been enacted for FY 2022. 

Specific Information 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has a robust mentoring research and evaluation 

legacy, and continues to support mentoring initiatives nationwide. Findings from this research portfolio inform the 

refinement of the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring.[1] A review published in 2021 focused on what has been 

learned from OJJDP-supported mentoring research and identified research priorities for further study and evaluation.[2] 

NIJ seeks to build on OJJDP’s portfolio on youth mentoring research and evaluation. With funding support provided by 

OJJDP, NIJ is inviting applicants to propose rigorous methodologies that would address one or more of the following four 

research priorities: 

1. Increasing the capacity for achieving broad, population-level impacts. NIJ is soliciting proposals that include

rigorous impact evaluations of mentoring programs that are currently being implemented on a relatively large scale

(e.g., on a regional or nationwide basis) or have strong potential for scalability. These evaluations need to be

designed with representativeness of program sites and participants in mind to optimize generalizability.

2. Understanding how mentoring can advance change mechanisms promoting positive youth development.

NIJ is inviting applicants to propose intensive investigation of the change mechanisms that are most important in

driving youth outcomes. In particular, such studies may help identify effective behavior change strategies and

delineate key targets for intervention.[3] 

3. Examining program participation long-term effects. To date, most mentoring evaluation research has been

limited to measurement of relatively immediate or short-term outcomes.[4] There is existing evidence that in some

instances, positive program effects decay rapidly.[5] NIJ is interested in proposals using rigorous methodologies

which would assess whether mentoring programs produce sustained effects, particularly those impacting

delinquency and associated key risk factors. Studies may leverage data already collected in evaluations of shorterterm outcomes to extend the scope and examine effects at later points in time.

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4. Optimizing program effectiveness through iterative cycles of development paired with rigorous evaluation 

feedback. NIJ is interested in receiving proposals to evaluate iterative cycles of development and mentoring 

program refinement. As an example, the National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS) creates recognized standards 

and procedures for the operation of high-quality mentoring programs based on evidence and a process for 

continuous improvement within a program.[6] It is important to consider which types of mentoring approaches are 

best suited for different purposes and targeted youth populations. 

Applications proposing to conduct research and/or evaluation on a specific mentoring program or programs should 

describe the mentoring initiative(s), including the following information, as applicable: 

Letter(s) of support 

Primary target population for mentee recruitment 

Estimated sample size of mentors, mentees, and mentor-mentee matches 

Geographical location(s) 

Place of mentoring program delivery (e.g., community-based, site-based, school-based) 

Program structure (i.e., how the match is made, mentor training, dosage, and delivery) 

Logic model 

Program focus (e.g., sports, arts, community service, academics, gang prevention) 

Additional services provided to mentees and their families 

Committed partners (e.g., substance use treatment providers, juvenile justice agencies, schools) 

Evaluation Research 

If an application includes an evaluation research component (or consists entirely of evaluation research), the application is 

expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate for the research questions to be addressed. If the 

primary purpose of the evaluation is to determine the effectiveness or impact of an intervention (e.g., program, practice, or 

policy), the most rigorous evaluation designs may include random selection and assignment of participants (or other 

appropriate units of analysis) to experimental and control conditions. In cases where randomization is not feasible, 

applicants should propose a strong quasi-experimental design that can address the risk of selection bias. 

Applications that include evaluation research should consider the feasibility of including cost/benefit analysis. In cases 

where evaluations find that interventions have produced the intended benefit, cost/benefit analysis provides valuable and 

practical information for practitioners and policymakers that aids decision making. 

Evaluation research projects may also address a wide range of research questions beyond those focused on the 

effectiveness or impact of an intervention. Different research designs may be more appropriate for different research 

questions and at different stages of program development. The intervention strategies, setting, other contextual factors, 

and resources should be taken into account when selecting an evaluation design. In all cases, applications are expected 

to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate for the research questions to be addressed. 

Applicants are encouraged to review evidence rating criteria at https://www.crimesolutions.gov/about_starttofinish.aspx for 

further information on high-quality evaluation design elements. 

New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity 

NIJ is interested in supporting researchers who are early in their careers and new to NIJ’s research grant portfolios, 

specifically non-tenured assistant professors, or equivalent full-time staff scientist positions in a research institution, who 

propose research on topics relevant to NIJ’s Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology (ORET). To that end, NIJ 

may, in appropriate circumstances, give special consideration in award decisions to applications proposing such 

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

Hold a non-tenured assistant professor appointment at an accredited institution of higher education in the United 

States or an equivalent full-time staff scientist position at a research institution in the United States. 

Have completed a terminal degree or post-graduate clinical training within the six (6) years prior to September 30, 

2022. 

Have never previously received NIJ funding as a PI on a research project with the exception of Graduate Research 

Fellows or Data Resources Program grantees. 

If seeking to be considered for the New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity, the applicant should identify that they are 

submitting a New Investigator/Early Career proposal on the title page of the application. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Goals 

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The ultimate goal of this solicitation is to advance basic and evaluation research on mentoring programs to support 

continuous development and refinement of evidence-based strategies and practices for delinquency prevention and 

victimization recovery. 

Objectives 

This solicitation has four primary objectives: 

1. Increasing the capacity for mentoring programs to achieve broad, population-level impacts. 

2. Understanding how mentoring can advance change mechanisms promoting positive youth development. 

3. Examining the long-term effects of mentoring program participation. 

4. Optimizing mentoring program effectiveness through iterative cycles of development paired with rigorous evaluation 

feedback. 

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. Applicants 

should plan to deliver a draft final research report 90 days prior to the conclusion of the award. 

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 

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to 

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

the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. 

1. Priority Considerations Supporting Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

Communities Through the Federal Government 

Consistent with this Executive Order, the term “underserved community” refers to a population sharing a particular 

characteristic, as well as a geographic community, that has been systematically denied a full opportunity to 

participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life or whose members have been historically underserved, 

marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality. Such communities include, among others, Black people, 

Hispanics and Latino/a/e people, Native American and other Indigenous peoples of North America (including Alaska 

Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. 

In support of Executive Order 13985, OJP will: 

A. Give priority consideration to applications that propose research project(s) that will address issues related to 

racial equity and the removal of barriers to access and opportunity for communities that have been historically 

underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality, when making award decisions. 

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

inequities and barriers to equal opportunity, and/or contribute to greater access to services for underserved and 

historically marginalized populations. 

B. Give priority consideration to applicants that can demonstrate that their capabilities and competencies for 

implementing their proposed project(s) are enhanced because the applicant (or at least one proposed subrecipient 

that will receive at least 30% of the requested award funding, as demonstrated in the Budget Worksheet and Budget 

Narrative) identifies as a culturally specific organization. To receive this additional priority consideration, applicants 

must describe how being a culturally specific organization (or funding the culturally specific subrecipient organization 

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O-NIJ-2022-171185 
(s)) will enhance their ability to implement the proposed project(s) and should also specify which culturally specific 

populations are intended or expected to be served or to have their needs addressed under the proposed project(s). 

Culturally specific organizations are defined for purposes of this solicitation as private nonprofit or tribal 

organizations whose primary purpose as a whole is to provide culturally specific services to, among others, Black 

people, Hispanics and Latino/a/e people, Native American and other Indigenous peoples of North America (including 

Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and/or Pacific Islanders. 

Note: Addressing these priority areas is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions. Receiving 

priority consideration for one or more priority areas is not a guarantee of an award. 

Federal Award Information 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

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

1/1/23 12:00 AM 60 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under 

Solicitation 

$2,000,000.00 

Additional Information 

Please see Anticipated Number of Awards, Maximum 

Dollar Amount for each Award, and Period of 

Performance Duration sections below. 

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 (if any are made) under this solicitation, are subject to the availability of appropriated funds 

and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by the agency or by law. In addition, nothing in 

this solicitation is intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in 

equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or 

any other person. 

Types of Awards 

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

Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for a brief discussion of important statutes, 

regulations, and award conditions that apply to many (or in some cases, all) OJP grants). 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as described 

in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, comply with standards for financial and program 

management. 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 worksheet 

and budget narrative — to clearly define each phase. (This is particularly the case if the applicant proposes a project that 

will exceed — in cost or the length of the period of performance — the amount or length of time anticipated for an 

individual award (or awards) under this solicitation.) Given limitations on the availability to NIJ of funds for awards for 

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research, development, and evaluation, this information will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of 

applications would be productive. (If, in FY 2022, 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 2022 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among 

other considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations. 

All budgeted funds under this solicitation must be for the direct support of research/evaluation related expenses. 

What will not be funded: 

Proposals that include support for the implementation or delivery of direct mentoring services. 

Applications primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (A budget may include these items if they are 

necessary to conduct research, development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

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

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. 

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. 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

To be determined by the number of applications received and their merit. 

Maximum Dollar Amount for each Award 

To be determined by the requirements of the research proposed in grants selected for award. Applicants are encouraged 

to propose budgets that match the research activities proposed, up to the full dollar amount anticipated to be awarded 

under this solicitation. 

Period of Performance Duration 

To be determined by the period of performance of awarded applications. Successful applicants will be expected to 

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

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the solicitation cover page. 

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

Application and Submission Information 

Content of Application Submission 

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

advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding: 

Proposal Narrative. 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative. (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.) 

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

information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the specified elements or is nonresponsive to the 

scope of the solicitation. 

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

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

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

additional information on completing the SF-424. 

In Section 8.F. 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 12372. (In 

completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting the response that the “Program is not covered 

by E.O. 12372.” 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 

The Standard Applicant Information section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the SF-424 data submitted 

in Grants.gov. 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 

its Authorized Representative; and verify and confirm the organization's unique entity identifier, legal name, and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

A proposal abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project, including the purpose of the project, 

primary activities, expected outcomes, the service area, intended beneficiaries and subrecipients (if known), will be 

completed in the JustGrants web-based form. This abstract should be written in the third person and will be made publicly 

available on the OJP website if the project is awarded. 

Proposal Narrative 

The proposal narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The attached document should be doublespaced, using a standard 12-point font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 30 pages. Pages should 

be numbered and submitted as an attachment. If the proposal narrative fails to comply with these length restrictions, NIJ 

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

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

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

The title page should include: 

Project title. 

Submission date. 

Funding opportunity number. 

Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators). 

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

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Requests for consideration under “new investigator” and “Priority 1(A)” and/or “Priority 1(B)”. 

Key words, including science focus areas. 

Contact information (that is, name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address) for both the applicant and the 

principal investigator. 

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

If an applicant is resubmitting an application presented previously to NIJ, but not funded, the applicant should indicate this. 

A statement should be provided, no more than two pages, addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJ-assigned 

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

to previous feedback received from NIJ. 

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

d. Main Body 

1. Statement of the Problem. 

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

gaps in data, research, and knowledge, including those for particular justice sectors, for certain populations, and to 

answer questions relevant to current policy and practice needs and public interests. It is not uncommon for multiple 

problems to exist simultaneously (for example, there may be a criminal justice problem affecting public safety, a 

current technical challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well as a scientific/technology gap between 

the current state of the art and a desired solution) and applicants should discuss each of these clearly and justify the 

importance of the separate issues. As part of this discussion, applicants should present a review of previous 

literature and discuss previous research related to these problems. 

2. Project Design and Implementation. 

Applicants should provide a detailed description of the strategies to implement this research project and address the 

research questions. Design elements should follow directly from the research project’s goals and objectives and 

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

methodology and analysis plan in detail and demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the data they will collect. 

Applicants should consider the rigor and soundness of the methodology and analytical and technical approaches for 

the proposed research and address the feasibility of the proposed project and potential challenges or problems in 

carrying out the activities. 

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration for Priority 1(A), it should address in this section how the proposed 

project(s) will address issues related to racial equity and/or the removal of barriers to access and opportunity, and/or 

contribute to greater access to services, for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and 

adversely affected by inequality. 

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. 

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If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1(B), it should describe within this section how being a 

culturally specific organization (or funding a culturally specific subrecipient organization at a minimum of 30% of the 

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

specific populations are intended or expected to be the subject and/or beneficiary of the research conducted under 

the proposed project(s). 

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: Applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, performance measure 

information is included as an alert that successful applicants will be required to submit performance data as part of 

each award’s reporting requirements. 

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the 

work carried out under the award. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables 

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

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 18. 

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

performance measurement activities at OJP. 

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

performance reports (using the Research Performance Progress Report template/format), and the Final Research 

Report in JustGrants. NIJ will provide further guidance on the post-award submission process will be provided, if 

selected for award. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Applicants will submit the project's goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines in the JustGrants web-based form. See 

the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

The applicant will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. 

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1(B) based on the identification of at least one proposed 

subrecipient as a culturally specific organization, the proposed funding for the subrecipient in the web-based budget form 

must be a minimum of 30% of award funding. 

The budget narrative must also describe how the activities that will be funded with the (minimum) 30% of award funding 

provided to the subrecipient specifically relate to the priority consideration requested under Priority 1(B) and 

described in the Capabilities and Competencies section of the application. 

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

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. The applicant is to follow the guidance in the following paragraph instead of the 

guidance stated under the “Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide. 

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

project. The application should indicate whether it is feasible for the applicant to contribute cash, facilities, or services as 

non-federal support for the project. The application should identify generally any such contributions that the applicant 

expects to make and the proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported with non-federal 

contributions. 

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

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

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

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

The applicant will submit its indirect cost rate agreement by uploading it as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP 

Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 

The applicant will download the questionnaire, complete it, and submit it by uploading it as an attachment in JustGrants. 

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

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 

This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating its “Disclosure of 

Process Related to Executive Compensation” provisions. Applicants to this solicitation are not required to provide this 

disclosure. 

Additional Application Components 

Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

Curriculum vitae of key personnel. 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 

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to a tribal authorizing resolution 

as an attachment. If applicable, the applicant will submit the tribal authorizing documentation by uploading it 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 Statement 

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

demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, before it may receive 

award funds. The applicant will submit documentation of its research and evaluation independence and integrity by 

uploading it as an attachment in JustGrants. For additional information, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Bibliography/reference 

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

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

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

supplemental to such items included in the main body of the narrative. 

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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. 

Human Subjects Protection 

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

Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-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-privacyprotections and https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate). 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

Applicants proposing to use incentives or stipends payments as part of their research project design, must submit an 

incentive or stipend approval request, as a separate document, according to the requirements set forth at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/participant-support-costs-and-incentives-social-science-research. 

Documentation of “New Investigator/Early Career” Status, if applicable 

Documentation of “new investigator/early career” status, if applicable. 

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/research-development-and-evaluation-grant-award-requirements#data. 

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. 

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Disclosures and Assurances 

The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. 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 

. 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

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

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free 

Workplace Requirements 

Review and accept the DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; 

Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; and Law Enforcement and Community Policing in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

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

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, or 

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 

Step 1: The applicant will submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html 

. 

Step 2: The applicant will then submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants in JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

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

Application Submission Checklist. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 20, 2022. 

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. eastern time on May 3, 2022. 

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

to correct 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. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants technical issues beyond its control that 

prevents application submission by the deadline, must demonstrate all efforts in requesting technical support in order to 

submit an application by the deadline. Technical support is available via phone and email to the applicable SAM.gov, 

Grants.gov, or JustGrants support centers or service desks in which an applicant received a ticket number for resolution. If 

an applicant misses a deadline due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the applicant may request a waiver to submit an 

application after the deadline. Note: If an applicant does not submit all the required Grants.gov forms by the Grants.gov 

deadline, the applicant will not be able to proceed to the JustGrants portion of the application process. 

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the following systems must contact the associated support desk 

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

Grants.gov - contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline 

SAM.gov - contact the SAM Help Desk (Federal Service Desk) 

JustGrants - contact the JustGrants Support Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833–872–5175 

Applicants requesting a waiver to submit a late application must document their request for technical assistance in an 

email to the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline to request 

approval to submit its application after the deadline. If an applicant has technical issues with Grants.gov, the applicant 

must contact OJP Response Center within 24 hours of the Grants.gov deadline to request approval to submit after the 

deadline. However, waiver requests will not be reviewed until after the JustGrants deadline to allow time for all waivers to 

be submitted. Waiver requests to submit after the submission deadline must: 

Describe the technical difficulties experienced; 

Include a timeline of the applicant's submission efforts (e.g., what date and time did the error occur, what date and 

time was action taken to resolve the issue and resubmit; and what date and time did support representatives 

respond) 

Include an attachment(s) of the complete grant application and all required documentation and material; and 

Include the applicant's DUNS number (or Unique Entity Identifier if applying after April 4, 2022), any applicable 

SAM.gov tracking number(s), Grants.gov Help Desk, and JustGrants Support Desk Ticket Numbers. 

OJP will review each request for late submission and required supporting documentation and notify the applicant whether 

the request has been approved or denied. For more details on the waiver process, OJP encourages applicants to review 

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

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

Merit Review Criteria 

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

project/program addresses the following criteria: 

1. 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. 

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

Feasibility of proposed project. 

Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach to addressing the stated aim(s) of the proposed project. 

Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design and feasibility of proposed actions to minimize and/or 

mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

3. Capabilities and Competencies (capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of the applicant organization 

and proposed project staff) (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. 

4. 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. 

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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, peerreviewed, scientific journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, technological prototypes, 

patented inventions, databases, standards or similar scientific products) as well as make summary information 

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

5. Budget (0%) 

In addition, peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional items in the context of scientific and 

technical merit. 

Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities. 

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

Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

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), available funding, past performance, and the extent to which the 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form) accurately explain project costs that are reasonable, 

necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles. 

Review Process 

Applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements, will be evaluated for technical merit 

by a peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review policy and procedures using the stated review criteria 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. 

The application, if submitted by an applicant that is a DOJ High Risk Grantee, or is designated “high risk” by 

a federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ, must not have been determined by the NIJ Director to pose a 

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

addressing required corrective actions necessary for removal of the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ 

high risk) designation, 2) the nature and severity of the issues leading to or accompanying the DOJ High 

Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) designation, and/or 3) the applicant’s expected ability to manage grant 

funds and achieve grant goals and objectives. 

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

to the degree of risk posed by the applicant. Among other things to help assess whether an applicant with one or more 

prior federal awards has a satisfactory record with respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks 

whether the applicant is listed in SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award. 

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

information about the applicant that appears in the non-public segment of the integrity and performance system accessible 

through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS). 

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant may review and comment on any information about itself that currently appears 

in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP will consider such comments by the applicant, in addition 

to the other information in FAPIIS, in its assessment of the risk posed by the applicant. 

All final award decisions will be made by Director of the National Institute of Justice, who may consider not only peer 

review ratings and NIJ recommendations, but also other factors as indicated in this section. 

Federal Award Administration Information 

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Federal Award Notices 

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

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved application, the 

recipient must comply with all award conditions and all applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations, 

including the applicable requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award 

acceptance. For additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other 

Legal Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 

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

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

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, final research reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the 

Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if 

reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP may require additional reports.) 

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

including performance measure data. 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For OJP contact(s), see the solicitation cover page. 

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

For contact information for JustGrants, page 2. 

Other Information 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 

552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a). 

Provide Feedback to OJP 

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

Performance Measures 

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Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct research in social and 1. Relevance to the needs of the field 1. Quarterly financial reports, semibehavioral sciences having clear as measured by whether the project’s annual and final performance reports, 

implications for criminal justice policy substantive scope did not deviate from and products of the work performed 

and practice in the United States. the funded project or any subsequent 

agency-approved modifications to the 

scope. 

2. Quality of the research as 

demonstrated by the scholarly 

products that result in whole or in part 

from work funded under the NIJ 

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

and/or (as appropriate for the funded 

project) law review journal articles, 

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

academic press, technological 

prototypes, patented inventions, or 

similar scientific products. 

3. Quality of management as 

measured by such factors as whether 

significant project milestones were 

achieved, reporting and other 

deadlines were met, and costs 

remained within approved limits. 

under the NIJ award (including, at 

minimum, a final research report). If 

applicable, an annual audit report. 

2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly 

products that resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded under the NIJ 

award. 

3. If applicable, each data set that 

resulted in whole or in part from work 

funded under the NIJ award. 

Application Checklist 

NIJ FY22 Youth Mentoring Research and Evaluation 

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. The DOJ Application Submission 

Checklist is another resource. 

What an Applicant Must Do: 

Prior to registering in Grants.gov: 

Confirm your Entity’s System Award Management (SAM) Registration Information (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire a SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): 

If applying before April 4, 2022, obtain or confirm your Data Universal Number System (DUNS) 

number at www.dnb.com. 

On April 4, 2022, the federal government will stop using DUNS and start using the new SAM UEI 

. 

To register in Grants.gov: 

Acquire an AOR and a Grants.gov username and password (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

Resource Guide) 

To find the funding opportunity: 

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

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

Guide) 

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

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Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov 

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

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

Resource Guide 

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

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

Agreements - FY 2022 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Review Scope Requirement: 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of $2 million. 

Review Eligibility Requirement: See cover page. 

~~~ 

Prepare to submit the Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF)-424 and Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities form (SF-LLL) 

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

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

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

After the SF-424 and SF-LLL submission in Grants.gov, receive Grants.gov email notifications that: 

Submission has been received in Grants.gov Submission has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors (see OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide) 

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

Contact OJP Response Center regarding technical difficulties (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 

Proceed to complete application in JustGrants 

Content of Application Submission: Critical Application Elements 

The following items are critical application elements required to pass the basic minimum requirements review. If OJP 

determines that an application does not include the following elements, it will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive 

further consideration. 

Proposal Narrative 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel 

~~~ 

Budget and Associated Documentation: 

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

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

Guide) 

Additional Application Components: 

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) 

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) 

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

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

Resource Guide) 

Submit application in JustGrants: 

Application has been successfully submitted in JustGrants 

If no JustGrants application submission, validation, or error notifications are received: 

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

difficulties. 

If an applicant has technical issues with Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OJP Response Center within 

24 hours of the Grants.gov deadline to request approval to submit after the deadline. However, waiver 

requests will not be reviewed until after the JustGrants deadline to allow time for all waivers to be submitted. 

Endnotes 

[1] https://www.mentoring.org/resource/elements-of-effective-practice-for-mentoring/. 

[2] David L. DuBois, "Mentoring Programs for Youth: A Promising Intervention for Delinquency Prevention," May 26, 2021. 

Retrieved from 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/mentoring-programs-youth-promising-intervention-delinquency-prevention. 

[3] Lisbeth Nielsen et al., “The NIH Science of Behavior Change Program: Transforming the Science Through a Focus on 

Mechanisms of Change,” Behaviour Research and Therapy 101 (2018): 3-11. 

[4] DuBois et al., “How Effective Are Mentoring Programs for Youth?” 

[5] Carla C. Herrera et al., Making a Difference in Schools: The Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring Impact 

Study (Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures, 2007). 

[6] https://www.mentoring.org/resource/national-quality-mentoring-system/. 

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