Notices regarding the solicitation “NIJ FY22 Research and Development in

Forensic Sciences for Criminal Justice Purposes” 

April 21, 2022: NIJ has updated guidance on data archiving plans. 

March 11, 2022: NIJ has extended the Grants.gov deadline to May 2, 2022. 

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 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice 

Purposes 

Assistance Listing Number # 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: 

Solicitation Release Date: 

Version: 

Grants.gov Deadline: 

Application JustGrants Deadline: 

16.560 

O-NIJ-2022-171186

March 04, 2022 2:30 PM 

5

May 2, 2022 11:59 PM 

May 09, 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 funding for basic or applied research and development in forensic science for criminal justice purposes. 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. NIJ’s Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG) identifies current technology 

challenges encountered in operational forensic science laboratories. Research-based knowledge and newly developed tools 

that work towards resolving these identified challenges facilitate the criminal justice community to enforce the law, promote 

public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice. 

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, Individuals, 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. 

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

are eligible to apply. (Any award made to a federal agency will be made as an inter-agency reimbursable agreement.) 

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

and university or college law enforcement agencies must be certified by an approved independent credentialing body or have 

started the certification process, to be eligible for FY 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 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 

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O-NIJ-2022-171186
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. 

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 on 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: Applicants 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: Applicants 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 

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Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 6 

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 8 

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 8 

Research and Development Priority Opportunities 9 

New Investigator Opportunities 9 

Federal Award Information 10 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 10 

Availability of Funds 10 

Types of Awards 10 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 10 

Budget Information 10 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 11 

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

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 11 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 11 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 11 

Anticipated Number of Awards 11 

Maximum Dollar Amount for each Award 11 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 12 

Period of Performance Duration 12 

Eligibility Information 12 

Application and Submission Information 12 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 12 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 12 

Proposal Abstract 13 

Proposal Narrative 13 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 17 

Budget and Associated Documentation 17 

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

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 17 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 17 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 17 

Additional Application Components 17 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 17 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 17 

Timeline Form 17 

Letters of Support 17 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 18 

Bibliography/reference 18 

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

List of Individuals in the Application 18 

Human Subjects Protection 18 

Privacy Certificate 18 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 18 
Data Archiving Plan 18 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

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

Documentation of “New Investigator” Status, if applicable 19 

Multiple PI leadership plan 19 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 19 

19 

Disclosures and Assurances 19 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 19 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 19 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 20 

and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 20 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 20 

How to Apply 20 

Submission Dates and Time 20 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues 20 

Application Review Information 21 

Review Criteria 21 

Review Process 22 

Federal Award Administration Information 23 

Federal Award Notices 23 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 23 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 23 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 23 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 23 

Other Information 23 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 23 

Provide Feedback to OJP 23 

Performance Measures 24 

Application Checklist 24 

Endnotes 26 

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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. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous basic or applied research and development projects. An NIJ forensic 

science research and development grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project that will: 

1. Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice; or

2. Lead to the production of useful material(s), device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have the potential for forensic

application.

The intent of this program is to direct the findings of basic scientific research; foster research and development in broader 

scientific fields applicable to forensic science; and support ongoing forensic science research toward the development of 

highly-discriminating, accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of 

forensic evidence for criminal justice purposes. Projects should address the challenges and needs of the forensic science 

community, including but not limited to, the operational needs discussed at NIJ’s FY 2020 Forensic Science Technology 

Working Group (TWG) meeting, which may be found on NIJ.OJP.gov. Additional research needs of the forensic science 

community can be found at the Organization of Scientific Area Committees website. Although the goals and deliverables of 

proposed projects are not required to result in immediate solutions to the posted challenges and needs, proposals should, at a 

minimum, address the foundational work that will lead to eventual solutions. 

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal 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 in accordance with their data archiving plan (see Data Archiving Plan under 

“Application and Submission Information”). 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 

This solicitation seeks applications for funding to support basic or applied research and development forensic science projects. 

For the purposes of this solicitation, the following definitions apply: 

Forensic — Of, relating to, or used in legal proceedings or argumentation.[1] 

Science — The observation, identification, description, experimental investigations, and theoretical explanation of natural 

phenomena.[2] 

Basic research — A systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of 

phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. Basic research 

may include activities with broad applications in mind.[3] For the purposes of this solicitation, foundational/basic research 

must include activities with broad application to forensic sciences related to the criminal justice system. 

Applied research — A systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which 

a recognized and specific need may be met.[4] For the purposes of this solicitation, the specific need(s) being met must 

relate to the improvement of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes. 

Development — The systematic application of knowledge or understanding, directed toward the production of useful 

materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new 

processes to meet specific requirements.[5] For the purposes of this solicitation, the development of forensic technologies 

and methods should assist in answering questions posed in criminal investigations or increase crime laboratory capacity 

to meet the demand for forensic science services. 

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Funding priorities for this program are expected to align with the Department of Justice’s mission. Proposed projects should 

address the current technology challenges encountered by forensic scientists by generating new knowledge or tools that will 

lead to better methods, move the state-of-the-art forward, or otherwise resolve identified issues so as to assist law 

enforcement, enhance public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice. 

Although the goals and deliverables of proposed projects are not required to result in immediate solutions to the posted 

challenges and needs, proposals should, at a minimum, address the foundational work that will lead to eventual solutions. 

Proposals are expected to identify the focus areas (e.g., forensic science discipline[s]) intended to benefit from the project. The 

focus areas should be listed in the keywords on the title page. Some examples are listed below. Where available, links 

have also been provided to sites containing additional information. 

DNA and forensic biology (https://strbase-b.nist.gov/, http://www.swgdam.org, https://www.nist.gov/topics/organizationscientific-area-committees-forensic-science/biologydna-scientific-area-committee). 

Forensic crime scene analysis (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/crime-scenedeath-investigation-scientificarea-committee, https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/crime-sceneinvestigation). 

Forensic anthropology and forensic odontology (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/anthropology-subcommittee 

, https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/odontology-subcommittee). 

Bloodstain pattern analysis (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/bloodstain-pattern-analysis-subcommittee). 

Seized drugs (http://www.swgdrug.org, https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/seized-drugs-subcommittee). 

Fire debris analysis and arson scene investigations (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/fire-and-explosioninvestigation-subcommittee, https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/fire-debris-and-explosives-subcommittee). 

Firearms and toolmark identification (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/firearms-and-toolmarks-subcommittee 

). 

Latent print (https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/friction-ridgesubcommittee). 

Shoeprint/tire tread examination (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/footwear-and-tire-subcommittee). 

Questioned documents (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/forensic-document-examination-subcommittee). 

Trace evidence (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/sac-chemistryinstrumental-analysis, 

https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/materials-trace-subcommittee). 

Forensic toxicology (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/toxicology-subcommittee). 

Medicolegal death investigations, including forensic pathology (https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/crimescenedeath-investigation-scientific-area-committee, https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/medicolegal-deathinvestigation-subcommittee). 

Digital/multimedia evidence (https://www.swgde.org/, https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/digitalmultimediascientific-area-committee). 

Wildlife forensics ( 

https://www.nist.gov/topics/organization-scientific-area-committees-forensic-science/wildlife-forensics-subcommittee). 

Indicators of successful proposals may include relationships/collaborations with operational, accredited crime laboratories, and 

demonstrated abilities to produce scholarly products. See the next sections for more details. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Goals 

Proposals should address at least one of the goals specified below. Proposed projects that address more than one goal should 

be separated into discrete phases that clearly identify the goal to be addressed by each phase (additional information 

regarding the phasing of proposals can be found in Federal Award Information). Proposed projects should include goals that 

speak to specific forensic science needs and challenges which, if resolved, will aid the criminal justice community to enforce 

the law, enhance public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice. Although 

some late-stage applied research and development projects may be able to propose tangible or direct solutions, early-stage 

research projects are not required to result in immediate solutions; however, these early-stage research projects should clearly 

explain how the proposed objectives, once achieved, will produce knowledge that contributes to eventual solutions. 

Foundational/Basic Research Goal: Improve the understanding of the accuracy, reliability, and measurement validity 

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of forensic science disciplines. Applicants may refer to Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path 

Forward by the National Research Council of the National Academies Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to review 

historical material relevant to this goal. If addressing this goal, projects should meet at least one of the following 

objectives: 

Conduct basic scientific research in the physical, life, and cognitive sciences that is designed to increase the 

knowledge underlying forensic science disciplines intended for use in the criminal justice system. For the purposes 

of this objective, basic research studies proposed must include activities with broad application to forensic 

sciences related to the criminal justice system. Proposals should describe the anticipated impact of the study on 

one or more forensic science disciplines. 

Perform studies that examine the degree of accuracy and reliability of methods used by forensic scientists to 

achieve a more complete understanding of the scientific basis of forensic evidence and the interpretation of that 

evidence. Studies may also examine various processes within forensic methods, from the initial acceptance and 

examination of evidence for its probative value and quality, to the final interpretation of forensic results, including 

assessment of error rate. 

Conduct foundational research studies designed to further the understanding of quantifiable measures of 

uncertainty in the conclusions of forensic analyses, regardless of the sources of uncertainty. Studies should seek 

to establish limits of reliability and accuracy that forensic methods can achieve with respect to varying conditions of 

forensic evidence. 

Develop new approaches to forensic analysis, including quantitation of analyses that are currently qualitative in 

nature (e.g., in the development of quantitative studies related to friction ridge analysis or other impression and 

pattern evidence). 

Applied Research Goal: Increase knowledge or understanding necessary to guide criminal justice policy and practice 

related to the forensic sciences. To achieve this goal, projects should meet at least one of the following objectives: 

Perform applied research to increase knowledge of physical evidence and/or its behavior. Examples include, but 

are not limited to, the study of fluid transfer and fluid dynamics of certain biological fluids (e.g., blood) to increase 

understanding of patterns deposited at crime scenes; the examination of chemical properties of evidence for the 

purpose of identifying source materials; studies of the behavior of chemical compounds of forensic interest in 

biological systems; research to better understand aged, degraded, limited, damaged, inhibited, or otherwise 

compromised physical evidence (e.g., studies on the effect of environmental factors on physical evidence; studies 

to increase the overall understanding of the processes and mechanisms that result in the inability to obtain 

analytical results from evidence). 

Perform evaluation studies of technologies that are expected to have application to forensic sciences in criminal 

justice settings. The purpose of an evaluation must be to test a new, modified, or previously untested technology to 

determine whether it is effective for forensic science application. Proposals for evaluation studies should 

systematically use scientific methods to measure efficiency, implementation, and utility of the technology being 

evaluated. The primary intent of a proposed evaluation study must be to generate new knowledge, or contribute to 

the knowledge in the forensic scientific literature. Furthermore, knowledge gained from an evaluation study should 

be applicable to sites other than the one(s) being evaluated. An evaluation study should result in a report suitable 

for publication and dissemination to guide criminal justice policy and/or practice related to the forensic sciences. 

The results of an evaluation study should contribute to generalizable knowledge that can be applied beyond a 

particular program/geography, and can inform other researchers, practitioners, and/or policymakers. 

Development Goal: Produce novel and useful materials, devices, systems, or methods that have the potential for 

forensic application for criminal justice purposes. For development projects, proposals should demonstrate potential for 

increased quality of result and/or decreased time/cost for forensic analyses as compared to current standard practices. 

In order to achieve this goal, projects should meet at least one of the following objectives: 

Improve the “front end” of the forensic analysis processes. Examples include, but are not limited to, the 

development of improved methods for detection and identification of evidence at crime scenes; the development of 

improved screening methods to help assess the probative value of forensic evidence (i.e., onsite presumptive 

and/or confirmatory analysis of evidence); the development of improved means to remotely detect forensic 

evidence at a crime scene in order to overcome scene hazards and prevent evidence contamination; the 

development of nondestructive or minimally destructive methods for evidentiary sample identification and/or 

collection; the development of improved tools or methods for evidence preservation and/or storage. 

Develop instrumental systems to improve analysis throughput and the reliability, reproducibility, selectivity, and/or 

sensitivity of current methods used in crime laboratories for forensic analysis. 

Develop tools or methods that can separate the various components of a mixture. The separation method must be 

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successful on typical forensic samples (limited in yield, etc.) and must not reduce the efficiency of downstream 

forensic methods. Examples of mixtures include, but are not limited to, cells from different sources (e.g., sperm 

cells from female epithelial cells, epithelial cells from different sources), products of DNA processes (e.g., 

polymerase chain reaction [PCR] products in mixtures from two or more individuals), and trace materials. 

Develop improved tools for examining aged, degraded, limited, damaged, inhibited, or otherwise compromised 

physical evidence. Examples include, but are not limited to, the development of tools to determine the condition of 

the evidence to assist crime laboratory analysts in selecting the appropriate analytical approach, the development 

of methods to repair damaged evidence (without compromising sample integrity) to increase the likelihood of 

obtaining an analytical result, improvements to the methods for detection and/or removal or remediation of 

substances that inhibit the success of analysis, or other methods that will maximize the success rate of the 

analysis of compromised evidence. 

Develop novel approaches to forensic science methods for analysis and interpretation. Examples include 

streamlined, portable, high-throughput, more informative, more sensitive, less susceptible to inhibition, and other 

novel methods for analysis of forensic evidence for criminal justice purposes. 

Develop novel approaches and/or enhance current approaches to interpret forensic data derived from physical 

evidence, including an assessment of the significance of association. This may include development of databases 

[6] (comprehensive, searchable, easily accessible, secure databases for use in determining the statistical strength

of analytical results obtained from evidence found at crime scenes), and/or analyses that provide quantitative

measures and statistical evaluation of forensic evidence.

Deliverables 

Final Research Report. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected to submit a final research report. 

Additional information on the final research report requirement for the solicitation is posted on NIJ’s webpage. 

Required Data Sets and Associated Files and Documentation. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected 

to submit all data sets in accordance with their data archiving plan (see Data Archiving Plan under “Application and Submission 

Information”) that result in whole or in part from the work funded by the award, along with associated files and any 

documentation necessary for others to reproduce the project’s findings. 

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

inventions, or similar scientific products. Awardees are encouraged to publish their research using open access options. Grant 

funds may be used for costs associated with open access publication. NIJ expects that there will be an equal effort to make the 

research findings accessible to practitioner and policymaker audiences. 

Some projects may be chosen for technology evaluation or technology transition activities. More information, including 

examples of previous workshops and evaluations, can be found through the following link: http://www.forensiccoe.org. 

NIJ encourages researchers to seek guidance from, or partner with, crime laboratories. Such associations foster a greater 

understanding of the issues unique to the field of forensic science and may strengthen the scope of the proposed research 

plan. To assist researchers in identifying appropriate practitioner partners, NIJ has developed a site for crime laboratories to 

indicate their interest in participating in research. Interested laboratories are encouraged to visit 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics/connecting-researchers-forensic-laboratories to provide their contact information. 

Researchers who have developed methods and/or technologies that are ready for evaluation in forensic laboratory practice, 

including previous and current NIJ research grantees, are strongly encouraged to apply to NIJ’s Research and Evaluation in 

Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories program. 

Information on NIJ’s forensic science research and development programs (including previously funded projects) can be found 

at: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics. 

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. 

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 

OJP strongly encourages the use of data and evidence in policymaking and program development for criminal justice, juvenile 

justice, and crime victim services. For additional information and resources on evidence-based programs or practices, see the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 

OJP may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities funded under this solicitation. For additional 

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information, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide section entitled “Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of 

Programs and Activities.” 

Research and Development Priority Opportunities 

NIJ is interested in funding innovative research that aligns with administration R&D priorities[7]. Proposals that advance the 

following administrative priorities may be given special consideration in award decisions. If submitting a research proposal 

that contributes to one of the following national priorities, the applicant should state this on the title page of the 

proposal. 

Catalyze Research and Innovation in Critical and Emerging Technologies: NIJ supports technologies that power the 

industries of the future, to include industries which support the forensic sciences that may: (1) increase the body of 

knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice; or (2) lead to the production of useful material(s), 

device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have the potential for forensic application. 

National Artificial Intelligence Initiative: “The mission of the National AI Initiative is to ensure continued U.S. 

leadership in AI research and development, lead the world in the development and use of trustworthy AI in the 

public and private sectors, and prepare the present and future U.S. workforce for the integration of AI systems 

across all sectors of the economy and society.”[8] NIJ is interested in funding proposals that employ AI in order to 

advance forensic science. 

National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI): The NNI is a U.S. government research and development initiative to 

understand and control matter at the nanoscale, intended to revolutionize technology and industry to benefit 

society. “The vision of the NNI is a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale 

leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits society.”[9] NIJ is interested in funding proposals that 

employ nanotechnology to advance forensic science. 

STEM Education and Engagement: NIJ supports the improvement of technical training of future forensic scientists 

through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) training through hands-on laboratory and research 

experience. NIJ encourages applicants to include the employment of students in their research proposals. Furthermore, 

NIJ supports building capacity at institutions that serve high proportions of underrepresented or underserved groups. 

Applications submitted under this priority consideration area should include in their management plans how students will 

be recruited, what laboratory/research activities they will perform, what training/education they will receive through the 

research, how the project increases diversity and inclusion in STEM, and how their post-graduation/project activities will 

be tracked and reported to NIJ.[10] 

Facilitate Multisector Partnerships and Technology Transfer: The R&D enterprise requires a strong foundation of academic, 

industry, and government collaboration. NIJ may give priority consideration to research proposals that incorporate 

innovative partnership models involving other research agencies; state, local and Federal government; the private sector; 

and/or academia. Applicant agencies should engage in collaborations to help align basic research with forensic 

laboratory needs (See NIJ’s Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG). Projects funded under this solicitation 

may be chosen for technology transfer activities. More information can be found at http://www.forensiccoe.org. 

New Investigator Opportunities 

NIJ is interested in funding new investigators engaging in forensic science research. Proposals whose principal investigator 

and all co-investigator(s) are defined as “new investigators” may, in appropriate circumstances, be given special consideration 

in award decisions. 

To be considered a “new investigator” for the purposes of this solicitation, one of the two criteria below must be demonstrated. 

If submitting a proposal as a “new investigator”, the applicant should identify the principal investigator and any coinvestigators as “new investigator” on the title page of the proposal. 

The investigator must have received — no earlier than April 1, 2018 — an initial appointment in the United States to 

a full-time junior faculty position[11] at a university or to an equivalent full-time staff scientist position in a research 

institution; hold such a full-time appointment at the time of application submission; and must never have received NIJ 

funding for a research project — other than a Graduate Research Fellowship program grant; or 

The investigator must be an established researcher who has not successfully competed for NIJ funding as a principal 

investigator or co-principal investigator in the past 10 years. The investigator must hold a full-time appointment in the 

United States to a faculty position at a university or an equivalent position as a full-time staff scientist at a research 

institution at the time of application. 

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In the case of a grant application that involves more than one investigator, all co-investigators must meet the definition of 

“new investigator” in order for the application to be considered as a “new investigator” application. 

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 

$12,000,000.00 

Additional Information 

Please see Anticipated Number of Awards, Maximum 

Dollar Amount for each Award, Anticipated Total Amount 

to be Awarded Under Solicitation and Period of 

Performance Duration sections below. 

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. However, on a case-by-case basis, NIJ may elect to make an 

award to non-federal recipients under this solicitation as cooperative agreements, which provides for OJP to have substantial 

involvement in carrying out award activities. 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 detail 

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

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

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

development, and evaluation, this information will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of applications would be 

productive. (If, in FY 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. 

What will not be funded: 

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

Proposals that do not contain a research component. 

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Proposals that do not respond to the specific goals of this solicitation. 

Proposals that do not clearly address criminal justice concerns in the United States. 

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.) Proposals that include equipment 

purchases should include a discussion of how federally-funded equipment is proposed to be used after the funded work 

has been completed and/or the project period has ended. Note that OJP may issue specific equipment disposition 

instructions in appropriate circumstances.) 

Proposals primarily to provide training. 

Proposals that provide direct criminal/forensic laboratory services. 

Proposals focusing on the estimation of postmortem interval (i.e., time since death) whose research design is not novel 

nor applicable across the geography of the United States. The primary intent of these studies must be to generate new 

knowledge or contribute to the knowledge in the forensic scientific literature that is applicable to locations other than the 

one(s) being evaluated. 

Proposals that focus on predicting the behavior of criminal offenders or indicators that result in victimization. 

Proposals that seek to administer surveys on the perceptions of forensic evidence collection policies among evidence 

examiners. 

Proposals that focus on legal factors involved in how forensic evidence is processed. 

Proposals for social science research that do not focus on the identification, analysis, and scientific interpretation of 

forensic evidence for criminal justice purposes. 

Proposals focused on criminal psychology. 

Proposals involving the use of canines (i.e., detector dogs) as the sole sensing instrument. Research involving detector 

dogs must incorporate quantitative instrumental methods of chemical analysis. 

Proposals on deception detection. 

Costs associated with conducting conferences. A conference is a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any other 

organized and formal meeting, whether conducted face-to-face or via the Internet, where individuals assemble (or meet 

virtually) to exchange information and views or explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge, 

whether or not a published report results from such a meeting. A meeting where a gathering discusses general matters 

as part of a normal course of doing business is not considered a conference. Funds may be used to attend conferences 

for the purposes of dissemination of research findings. 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

This solicitation does not require a match. 

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 

NIJ expects to make: 1 to 45. 

Maximum Dollar Amount for each Award 

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NIJ funding for an individual research or development project rarely exceeds $500,000 annually. In FY 2021, the average 

forensic science research and development award was approximately $203,556 per year. Information on previous years’ 

awards is provided solely for reference. Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that match the research activities 

proposed. Cost estimates should be focused on maximizing the potential for success of the proposed project, rather than past 

averages. 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards made will depend on the availability of funds, the quality of the 

applications, and other pertinent factors. In FY 2021, NIJ provided over $14 million to fund research and development projects 

related to forensic science. 

Period of Performance Duration 

To be determined by the period of performance of awarded applications. The average project period for FY 2021 forensic 

science research and development awards was two years. Successful applicants will be expected to complete the work 

proposed within a five-year period of performance. 

An applicant should base its federal funding request and period of performance on the actual requirements of the research, 

and not necessarily on the anticipated amount of funding available in FY 2022 for awards under this solicitation. However, to 

expedite the budget approval process, applicants are encouraged to break out their budgets by project year or by phases, in 

the event that NIJ choses to fund the project partially or incrementally. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the solicitation cover page. 

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/Biosketches for Senior/Key Personnel. (For purposes of this solicitation, “senior/key 

personnel” means the principal investigator, any and all co-principal investigators, and other significant 

contributors.) 

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. 

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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 

The proposal abstract is a very important part of the application, and serves as an introduction to the proposed project. NIJ 

uses the proposal abstract for a number of purposes, including assignment of the application to an appropriate review panel. If 

the application is funded, the proposal abstract typically will become public information and be used to describe the project. 

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

activities, and expected outcomes 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 single-spaced, 

using a standard 12-point font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 18 pages, of which a minimum of nine 

(9) pages should be dedicated to Project Design and Implementation. If included in the main body of the proposal narrative, 

tables, charts, figures, and other illustrations count toward the 18-page limit for the narrative section. The proposal abstract, 

table of contents, appendices, and government forms do not count toward the 18-page limit. Pages should be numbered. 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 should be included as part of the proposal narrative[12]: 

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. 

Requests for consideration under “new investigator” and/or “research and development priority opportunities”. 

Key words, including forensic science focus areas. 

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

the principal investigator. 

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

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

statement may 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. 

This section should also identify the proposed research questions and introduce the purpose, goals, and objectives of 

the proposed project. 

The Statement of the Problem section should do the following: 

Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress in the field that the proposed project 

addresses. 

Explain the criminal justice significance of the problem. 

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Describe the scientific premise for the proposed project, including consideration of the strengths and weaknesses 

of published research or preliminary data crucial to the support of your application. 

Describe the current state of the art and technologies, both in practice and in past/current research, directed at the 

described problem. If this request is a direct follow-up of an earlier study, describe those results. 

Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or forensic practice. 

Describe how concepts, methods, technologies, or services that drive the forensic science field will be changed if 

the proposed aims are achieved. 

Include a review of relevant literature. 

2. Project Design and Implementation. (This section should account for a minimum of nine (9) pages of the main body of 

the narrative.) 

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. 

The Project Design and Implementation section should include the following: 

Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. 

Describe the experimental design and methods proposed and how they will achieve robust and unbiased results. 

Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, as well as the data archiving plan (see Data 

Archiving Plan under Appendices). 

Human subjects/study population: If the project will involve human subjects, clearly describe the study population. 

Include detailed information about how subjects were or will be identified and sampled and the method(s) of 

characterization. For case-control studies, provide inclusion and exclusion criteria and any matching done between 

cases and controls. Describe relevant environmental factors and how they were measured. If the subjects provided 

for this study are a subset of a family population, explain which individuals were included and how they were 

selected. Highlight special features of the study population that would enhance success. 

Sample information: In table form, provide: sample description such as case/control status and/or collection site; 

number of samples included in the study; subsample source (e.g., tissue source of the DNA). If data from other 

subjects will be included in the analysis, add row(s) to describe those samples. 

Three examples are provided below: 

Sample Set Target # of 

Samples Source Service Previous Service 

Known controls 500 Buccal Targeted 

sequencing STR base genotyping 

Forensic samples 500 Buccal Targeted sequencing STR base genotyping 

Sample Set Target # of 

Samples Source Subsample Set Service 

Crania 300 Modern Donated 

Collection 

300 individuals of known Hispanic 

Ancestry; 150 

Male, 150 Female 

Morphometric sex 

Estimation 

Pelvis 300 Modern Donated 

Collection 

300 individuals of known Hispanic 

Ancestry; 150 

Male, 150 Female 

Morphometric sex 

Estimation 

Subject Description Target # of Samples Collection Site 

Patients at drug rehab facilities 100 Scalp, cut (not plucked) 

Controls – subjects donating hair for wigs 100 Scalp, cut (not plucked) 

Provide supporting text that justifies the choice of samples. Describe other relevant information (e.g., the extraction 

methods used for each DNA source and the approximate DNA concentrations). Describe previous analyses done 

on these subjects. 

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Power and effect size: Use power analyses to describe the range of effect sizes detectable by the study. Address 

relevant features of the analytic plan, such as the model(s) to be tested, the extent of multiple testing, and what 

significance level would be used for testing. Include all appropriate parameters. If the study design requires 

separate analysis of subject groups, provide power analyses for each category. If there is a plan to test for 

environment effects, address the power for detection of these effects. 

Data analyses: Provide a thorough plan for data analyses. Include: analytical approaches to be used and their 

justification; plans for quality control analyses; methods to control for possible confounding effects; how false 

positive rates will be controlled in light of multiple testing; etc. If there is a plan to analyze the data obtained with 

earlier data, or to perform comparisons to determine success, describe your strategy for that process. 

Describe the role of each team member in the analysis process, and summarize the team's experience with the 

approaches proposed. 

Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the aims. 

If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish feasibility, and address the 

management of any high-risk aspects of the proposed work. 

Explain how relevant variables are factored into research designs and analyses. 

Data management: Describe the institutional computing resources available for this study, the type of database 

that will be used (if applicable), and how the data will be managed. Highlight the team's experience with 

management of data sets (especially those similar to the proposed project). Also describe strategies for data 

sustainability beyond the proposed funded work. 

Preliminary Data/Results: For new lines of research, include preliminary results, if available. Discuss the PI’s 

preliminary studies, data, and or experience pertinent to this application. Preliminary data can be an essential part 

of a research grant application, and help to establish the likelihood of success of the proposed project. New 

Investigators should include preliminary data. 

3. Potential Impact. 

Applicants should describe the potential impact of the research and how it may inform or improve criminal justicerelated policy, practice, or theory in the United States. 

The Potential Impact section should do the following: 

Explain the criminal justice significance of the proposed study. 

Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or forensic practice paradigms. 

Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions to be 

developed or used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation, or inventions. 

Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical concepts, approaches or 

methodologies, or instrumentation. 

Describe the plan for dissemination to produce scholarly products (See Deliverables above, for a discussion of 

expected scholarly products.) Applicants should also identify plans to broader interested practitioners and policy 

makers in a form that is designed to be readily accessible and useful to them. Awardees are encouraged to 

publish their research using open access options. Grant funds may be used for costs associated with open 

access publication. 

Describe implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the United States. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies. 

This section should describe the experience and capabilities 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. 

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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. 

The Capabilities/Competencies section should include the following: 

Facilities and other resources: Describe how the scientific environment in which the research will be done 

contributes to the probability of success (e.g., institutional support, physical resources, and intellectual rapport). In 

describing the scientific environment in which the work will be done, discuss ways in which the proposed studies 

will benefit from unique features of the scientific environment or subject populations or will employ useful 

collaborative arrangements. If there are multiple performance sites, describe the resources available at each site. 

Equipment: List major items of equipment already available for this project and, if appropriate identify location and 

pertinent capabilities. 

Senior/Key personnel profile: Describe each senior/key personnel’s role in the project and why the individual is 

well-suited for that role. The relevant factors may include: aspects of past training; previous experimental work on 

this specific topic or related topics, technical expertise, collaborators or scientific environment, and/or past 

performance in this or related fields. Senior/key personnel are defined as all individuals who contribute in a 

substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of the project, whether or not salaries are 

requested. Consultants should be included if they meet this definition.

Principal investigator (PI) profile should be listed first. 

The remaining senior/key personnel profiles should be listed in alphabetical order. Although alphabetical 

order is preferred, it is not required. However, be aware that these profiles will appear in the application in 

the order provided by the applicant. Therefore, peer reviewers will see them in the order presented. Those 

with a postdoctoral role should be included if they meet the definition of senior/key personnel. 

Other significant contributors (OSCs): OSCs are those individuals who commit to contribute to the scientific 

development or execution of the project, but do not commit any specified measurable effort (i.e., person 

months) to the project. These individuals are typically presented at effort of “zero person months” or "as 

needed." Individuals with measurable effort may not be listed as OSCs. Consultants should be included if 

they meet the OSC definition. OSCs should be listed after all senior/key persons. 

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

Performance report for continuing lines of research, if applicable. Applicants with current or prior NIJ-funded 

projects in the same line of research as that being proposed, may attach the most recent performance report, if 

desired. 

List of any previous and current NIJ awards to the applicant and investigator(s), including the NIJ-assigned award 

numbers and a brief description of any scholarly products that resulted, in whole or in part, from work funded under 

the NIJ award(s). (See “Deliverables” under “Program-Specific Information,” above, for definition of “scholarly 

products.”) 

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 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. 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 on page 24. 

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

performance reports, and the Final Research Report in JustGrants. Further guidance on the post-award submission 

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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. 

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 

If applicable, the applicant will submit a description of the process used to determine executive compensation by uploading the 

document as an attachment in JustGrants. See the “Application Attachments” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide for information. 

Additional Application Components 

Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

Curriculum Vitae, Resumes, or Biosketches of Senior/Key Personnel (not counted against the proposal narrative page limit). 

Curriculum vitae, resumes, or biosketches of senior/key personnel should not exceed five (5) pages per person. For the 

purposes of this solicitation, “senior/key personnel” means the principal investigator, all co-principal investigators, and other 

significant contributors. Reviewers use these pages in part to address the “Capabilities/Competencies” selection criterion. NIJ 

encourages use of the SciENcv standard format biosketch ((https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/). Attach this information as 

a separate PDF file titled “CVs of Key Personnel.” 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of tribal authorizing documentation 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). Attach all appropriate letters of support, including any letters necessary 

to demonstrate the support of consortium participants and collaborators such as senior/key personnel and other significant 

contributors included in the grant application. Letters are not required for personnel (such as research assistants) not 

contributing in a substantive, measurable way to the scientific development or execution of the project. Letters should stipulate 

expectations for co-authorship, and whether samples, data, or other resources promised in the letter are freely available to 

other investigators in the scientific community or will be provided to the particular investigators only. For consultants, letters 

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should include rate/charge for consulting services and level of effort/number of hours per year anticipated. In addition, letters 

ensuring access to core facilities and resources should stipulate whether access will be provided as a fee-for-service. Combine 

and attach this information as one separate PDF file titled “Letters of Support”. 

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 

Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Proposal Narrative. Each reference must include the names of all authors 

(in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article and journal title, book title, volume number, page 

numbers, and year of publication. Include only bibliographic citations. Although there is not a page limitation, it is important to 

be concise, and to select only those literature references pertinent to the proposed research. Attach this information as a 

separate PDF file titled “Bibliography and References Cited.” 

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. (Tables, charts, graphs, or other relevant illustrations that are 

essential for comprehension of the project/program design should be included in the main body of the narrative.) 

List of Individuals in the Application 

List of proposed project staff, affiliation, and roles. 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 attachment (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. 

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 archived in accordance with the submitted plan as approved by NIJ. At a 

minimum, this plan should include submission of study-level information to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data ( 

NACJD) that links to a publicly available data posting location. 

Applications should include a brief plan as a separate attachment — labeled “Data Archiving Plan” — to comply with data 

archiving requirements. The plan should provide details about proposed data management and archiving for all files and 

documentation necessary for others to reproduce the project’s findings. Pertinent files and documentation may 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 

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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. 

Documentation of “New Investigator” Status, if applicable 

Documentation may be in the form of: 

A signed letter from Dean, department head, or equivalent, stating date of initial appointment to a junior faculty position, 

or 

A signed letter from the principal investigator attesting that the principal investigator (and any co-investigators) have not 

served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on an NIJ-funded grant in the last 10 years. 

Multiple PI leadership plan 

For applications designating multiple PIs, a leadership plan must be included. For applications designating multiple PIs, all 

such individuals must be assigned the PI role on the Senior/Key Personnel Profile form, even those at organizations other than 

the applicant organization. A rationale for choosing a multiple PI approach should be described. The governance and 

organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, including communication plans, 

process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, 

technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PIs and other collaborators. Do 

not submit a leadership plan if you are not submitting a multiple PI application. Reviewers use these pages in part to address 

the “Capabilities/Competencies” selection criterion. Attach this information as a separate PDF file titled “Multiple PI Leadership 

Plan.” 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

Explain the programmatic, fiscal, and administrative arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the 

consortium organization(s). If consortium/contractual activities represent a significant portion of the overall project, explain why 

the applicant organization, rather than the ultimate performer of the activities, should be the grantee. Reviewers use these 

pages in part to address the “Project Design and Implementation” selection criterion. Attach this information as a separate PDF 

file titled “Consortium/Contractual Arrangements”. 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

Each applicant is to submit an NIJ Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist with its application to assist NIJ in assessing the 

potential environmental impacts of the activities proposed for funding by the applicant. Specifically, the applicant is expected 

to: 

Carefully read the Programmatic Environmental Assessment 

Complete the Cover Sheet and the attached the Programmatic Checklist; and 

Attach the completed documents to the grant application. 

The applicant should also submit a Cover Sheet and NIJ Programmatic Checklist for any organization identified in the Budget 

Detail Worksheet that will receive grant funds through a sub-award or procurement contract to perform any of the following 

activities: new construction or renovations that change the basic prior use of a facility or significantly change the size; research 

and/or technology development that could be expected to have an effect on the environment; or implementation of programs 

involving the use of chemicals. For more information about NEPA and NIJ’s NEPA Process, please go to 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/national-environmental-policy-act-nepa. 

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. 

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Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

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

Resource Guide for additional information. 

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

Requirements 

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

Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; 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 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 that 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 May 2, 2022. 

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. eastern time on May 9, 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 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 

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 NCJRS 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; 

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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 

Depending on the number of applications received, applications may be categorized by scientific discipline into discrete groups 

for purposes of peer review and/or selection of award. 

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 (10%)

Demonstrated awareness of the current state of the art and technologies, both in practice and in past/current research, 

directed at the described problem(s). 

Demonstrated understanding of the problem(s) that exist in an identified forensic science field/discipline. 

2. Project Design and Implementation (quality and technical merit) (40%)

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

overall strategy, methodology, and analyses should be well reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of 

the project. 

Feasibility of proposed project and the strength of supporting data. The proof-of-principle of the proposed technology or 

methodology should be established and supported by preliminary data presented in, or referenced in, the proposal. More 

innovative plans and/or plans with a higher potential for failure should be counterbalanced to manage the inherent risk 

(e.g., by firm theoretical basis, reasonable preliminary data (depending on the mechanism), the track record of the 

principal investigator and any co-principal investigator(s), and an outstanding scientific and management plan). 

Detailed description and justification of the sample type and sample size to be tested and approaches for data analysis 

are thorough and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the 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 (which include datasets, peer-reviewed journal articles, 

technological prototypes, patented inventions, etc., as appropriate). 

3. Potential Impact (30%)

Potential for a significant scientific or technical advance(s) that will improve criminal justice in the United States, such as: 

Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated forensic science problem. 

If the goals of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or forensic science 

practice in the criminal justice system be improved? 

What is the likelihood that the project will exert a sustained, powerful influence on the forensic science field(s) 

related to criminal justice? 

Potential for innovative solution to address (all or a significant part of) the stated forensic science problem. 

How will successful completion change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, or services that drive the 

forensic science field as it relates to criminal justice? 

How will a successful project address the identified criminal justice or forensic science problem and associated 

critical barriers to progress? 

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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. 

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

proposed project staff) (20%) 

Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (that is, the principal investigator, 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 proposed project staff to produce scholarly products. 

Strength of the scientific environment (e.g., institutional support, equipment and other physical resources, or 

collaborative arrangements) in which the work will be done and its contribution to the probability of success. 

Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff (including the applicant organization) 

and the scope and methods of the proposed project. 

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 

Other important considerations for NIJ include strategic priorities (specifically including, but not limited to, those mentioned 

above relating to priority areas of research and new investigator), available funding, past performance, planned scholarly 

products, geographic diversity, 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. 

Peer review panels will evaluate and score applications that meet basic minimum requirements. NIJ may use external peer 

reviewers, internal peer reviewers, or a combination, to assess applications on technical merit using the solicitation’s review 

criteria. An external peer reviewer is an expert in the subject matter of a given solicitation who is not a current DOJ employee. 

An internal reviewer is a current DOJ employee who is well-versed or has expertise in the subject matter of this solicitation. 

Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only, although reviewer views are considered 

carefully. 

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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 

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

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

For contact information for JustGrants, see page 2. 

Other Information 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on 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. 

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Performance Measures 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Description Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct research in 

science, technology, 

engineering, and/or 

mathematics having clear 

implications for criminal or 

juvenile justice policy and 

practice in the United 

States. 

1. 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,

peer-reviewed, 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. Relevance to the needs of the

field as measured by whether the

project’s substantive scope did not

deviate from the funded project or

any subsequent agency-approved

modifications to the scope.

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.

4. Number of technologies fielded

as a result (in whole or in part) of

work funded under the NIJ award.

A technology is 

defined as a tool to 

include, for example, 

test methods, 

software, hardware, 

etc. 

A fielded technology 

is one that remains in 

use at the conclusion 

of the grant or 

agreement. 

1. Quarterly financial reports,

semi-annual and final

performance reports, and

products of the work performed

under the NIJ award (including,

at minimum, a final research

report). If applicable, an annual

audit report.

2. List of citation(s) to all

scholarly products that resulted

in whole or in part from work

funded under the NIJ award.

3. If applicable, each data set

that resulted in whole or in part

from work funded under the NIJ

award.

4. Description of all technologies

fielded as a result (in whole or in

part) of work funded under the

NIJ award.

Application Checklist 

NIJ FY22 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes 

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: 

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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) 

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 $12 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/Biosketches for Senior/Key Personnel (see page) 

~~~ 

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) 

Disclosure of Process related to Executive Compensation (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) 

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

Resource Guide) 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist (NEPA) (see page insert page number) 

Data archiving plan 

Bibliography/references 

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

those in the narrative 

List of proposed project staff, affiliation, and roles 

Documentation of “new investigator” status (if applicable) 

Multiple PI leadership plan 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones 

Consortium/contractual arrangements 

Progress report for continuing lines of research, if applicable 

Human Subjects Protection paperwork 

Privacy Certificate 

Letters of cooperation/support 

List of any previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization and investigator(s) (if applicable) 

List of entities with which the applicant proposes to contract (if applicable) 

List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this proposal has been submitted (if applicable) 

Incentive or stipend approval request (if applicable) 

Disclosures and Assurances: 

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

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

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

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

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

Resource Guide) 

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] The definition of “forensic” is taken from Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary. 

[2] The definition of “science” is taken from Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary. 

[3] Definition is taken from: OMB Circular A–11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget, Section 84—Character 

Classification (Schedule C). 

[4] Definition is taken from: OMB Circular A–11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget, Section 84—Character 

Classification (Schedule C). 

[5] Definition is taken from: OMB Circular A–11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget, Section 84—Character 

Classification (Schedule C). 

[6] If database development is proposed, subsequent NIJ awardees are encouraged to share such information with the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology’s forensic catalog of databases at https://www.nist.gov/oles/forensic-database 

[7] https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/M-20-29.pdf and https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/07/M-21-32-Multi-Agency-Research-and-Development-Prioirties-for-FY-2023-Budget-.pdf 

[8] https://www.ai.gov/ 

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[9] https://www.nano.gov/ 

[10]https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/M-20-29.pdf and https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/07/M-21-32-Multi-Agency-Research-and-Development-Prioirties-for-FY-2023-Budget-.pdf 

08/M-20-29.pdf 

[11] Typically, the appropriate faculty rank is that of “Assistant Professor,” although some institutions may use a different title to 

designate junior faculty status. 

[12] As noted earlier, if the proposed project could reasonably be conducted in discrete phases, with each phase resulting in 

completion of one or more significant, defined milestones, then NIJ strongly recommends that the applicant structure the 

application — specifically including the narrative, expected scholarly products, timelines/milestones, and budget detail 

worksheet and budget narrative — to set out each phase clearly. 

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