OMB No. 1121-0329 

Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

NIJ FY23 Research and Evaluation on Firearms Violence and Mass Shootings 

Assistance Listing Number #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2023-171566 

Solicitation Release Date:     February 03, 2023 2:30 PM ET  

Version:  1 

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline:    April 20, 2023 11:59 PM ET  

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline:    May 04, 2023 8:59 PM ET 

Overview 

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

applications for funding of research and program evaluation projects that inform efforts to prevent and reduce 

intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and mass shootings in the United States. This program furthers the DOJ’s 

mission by supporting the development of new knowledge and tools to address the challenges of crime and justice in 

the United States through fundamental research. 

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

additional information for applicants to prepare and submit applications to OJP for funding. If this solicitation 

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

guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision. 

Solicitation Categories 

Competition ID Category * Number of 

Awards 

Dollar Amount for 

Award 

Performance 

Start Date 

Performance 

Duration 

(Months) 

C-NIJ-2023-00005-PROD 

Category 1: Research or 

Evaluation of Extreme Risk 

Protection Order (ERPO) 

Laws, Otherwise Known as 

"Red Flag Laws," with a 

focus on Firearm Violence 

and/or Mass Shootings 

9 $7,000,000.00 1/1/24 12:00 AM Up to 60 

C-NIJ-2023-00006-PROD 

Category 2: Research on 

Illegal Possession and 

Sources of Firearms Used in 

the Commission of Crime 

and the Relationship of 

Those Sources to Shootings 

and Gun-related Violence 

3 $2,000,000.00 1/1/24 12:00 AM Up to 60 

Eligible Applicants: 

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

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

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

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

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

higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Small businesses, Special district 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
governments, State governments, Unrestricted (open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text 

field entitled as Additional Information on Eligibility 

An applicant entity may submit more than one application, if each application proposes a different project in response 

to the solicitation. Also, an entity may be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one application. 

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

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

on subawards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2023 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, 

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

Contact Information 

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the OJP Response Center at 800-851-3420, 

301-240-6310 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only), or grants@ncjrs.gov. The OJP Response Center operates 

from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time (ET) Monday–Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET on the solicitation 

close date. 

Submission Information 

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

(SAM). You must renew and validate your registration every 12 months. If you do not renew your SAM registration, 

it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants.

 Registration and renewal can take up to 10 business days to complete. 

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

JustGrants. 

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

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

at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no 

later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, they will be 

unable to apply in JustGrants. 

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

Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, Grants.gov Customer Support, or support@grants.gov. The 

Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. 

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

by the JustGrants application deadline. 

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

833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET 

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

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

the JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training. Applicants should maintain all receipts and 

confirmations received from SAM.gov, Grants.gov, JustGrants systems. 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
Contents 

Overview 1 

disclosure of high-risk status) 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 

Contact Information 2 

Submission Information 2 

Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 7 

Priority Areas 8 

Federal Award Information 9 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 9 

Continuation Funding Intent 10 

Availability of Funds 10 

Type of Award 10 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 10 

Budget Information 10 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 10 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 10 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 10 

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

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 11 

Anticipated Number of Awards 11 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 11 

Period of Performance Duration 11 

Eligibility Information 11 

Application and Submission Information 11 

Content of Application Submission 11 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov 12 

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

Proposal Abstract 12 

Proposal Narrative 12 

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 14 

Budget and Associated Documentation 14 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 14 

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

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 15 

Consultant Rate 15 

Limitation on Employee Compensation; Waiver 15 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including applicant 15 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 15 

Additional Application Components 15 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 15 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 16 

Timeline Form 16 

Letters of Support 16 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 16 

Bibliography/reference 16 

Any Tools/Instruments, Questionnaires, Tables/Charts/Graphs, or Maps 16 

List of Individuals in the Application 16 

Human Subjects Protection 16 

Privacy Certificate 16 
Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 16 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable 16 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 17 

Data Archiving Plan 17 

Disclosures and Assurances 17 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 17 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 17 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 17 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 17 

Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 17 

How to Apply 17 

Submission Dates and Time 18 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application 18 

Application Review Information 19 

Review Criteria 19 

Review Process 20 

Federal Award Administration Information 21 

Federal Award Notices 21 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 21 

Information Technology Security Clauses 21 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 21 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 21 

Other Information 21 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 21 

Provide Feedback to OJP 21 

Performance Measures 21 

Application Checklist 22 

Standard Solicitation Resources 25 

Endnotes 25 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
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 applications for funding of research and program evaluation projects that inform 

efforts to prevent and reduce intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and mass shootings in the United States in 

two categories: (1) research or evaluation of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, otherwise known as “Red 

Flag Laws;” and (2) research on the sources of the firearm used in the commission of a crime and the relationship of 

those sources to shootings and gun-related violence. 

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

with lived experience of the subject of study; including, but not limited to, justice practitioners, community members, 

crime victims, service providers, and individuals who have experienced justice system involvement. 

Applicants are encouraged to propose multidisciplinary research teams to build on the complementary strengths of 

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

measurement of issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, 

religion, and sexual orientation, as applicable. 

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal justice or other agencies, should include a letter 

of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making authority from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of 

support should include the partnering agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, provided to, or 

obtained through an award funded by NIJ will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal 

Justice Data (NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to 

review NIJ’s data archiving guidance. If selected for an award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement 

in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2024. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the 

data archiving requirements of the award. 

NIJ seeks proposals that include robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies that include strategic 

partnerships with organizations and associations that are best equipped to ensure that research findings lead to 

changes in policies and practices related to the subjects of the study. Special consideration will be given to proposals 

that dedicate at least 15% of the requested project award funding toward implementing such strategies, as 

demonstrated in the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative. 

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

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

submitted in response to this solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant is expected 

to conduct a majority of the work proposed. 

Statutory Authority 

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

Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328, 136 Stat. 4459, 4533; Bipartisan Safer Communities Supplemental 

Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-159, 136 Stat. 1313, 1339); 28 U.S.C. 530C. 

Specific Information 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for funding of research and program evaluation projects that inform 

efforts to prevent and reduce intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and mass shootings in the United States. 

Applicants have leeway to generate their ideas and center their studies within their field of social science or in 

conjunction with other areas of interest and expertise, within the context of the purposes of this solicitation. Proposals 

for research and program evaluation topics other than those solicitated in this solicitation will not be considered. 

Where appropriate, NIJ encourages applicants to secure partnerships involving researchers and practitioners to 

facilitate access to data, design analysis strategies, interpret findings, and disseminate results. NIJ will only consider 

proposals with a strong potential to produce findings with practical implications for developing firearm-related crime 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
prevention and reduction strategies. 

Category 1: Research or Evaluation of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Laws, Otherwise Known as 

"Red Flag Laws," with a focus on Firearm Violence and/or Mass Shootings 

The recently enacted Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Public Law No: 117-159) aims to reduce gun violence and 

save lives, and to make progress toward keeping guns out of dangerous hands. The Act allows for the 

implementation of programs and initiatives, including those related to ERPO laws,[1] otherwise known as "Red Flag 

Laws” (Title II, Section 12003). An ERPO empowers “family members, health care providers, school officials, or law 

enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily prevent a person from accessing firearms if they are found to 

be a danger to themselves or others.”[2] Although an increasing number of states have passed ERPO laws in the past 

decade, research on and evaluation of ERPOs is limited and still in its nascency. Thus, NIJ is interested in research 

or evaluation proposals aiming to study ERPOs. 

The proposals may include basic research projects or projects involving ERPO implementation and process 

assessment and evaluations that measure outcomes and effectiveness of these civil orders in preventing firearm 

violence and/or mass shootings. Issues related to lack of data standardization must be accounted for in the 

proposals, as well as other limitations related to potential confounders, such as equity in administration across a 

diverse population, due process,[3] and differing policy provisions across various states. These potential confounders 

are also areas of interest to NIJ for focused research. 

Note: ERPOs are issued by a court to temporarily prevent a person in crisis from accessing firearms and may include 

persons who pose a threat to harm others OR themselves.[4] NIJ-sponsored studies on mass shootings found that 

most people who commit mass shootings are in a state of personal crisis, are often suicidal, and have access to 

firearms, whether via lawful or unlawful acquisition.[5] Studies on femicide also found that suicidality is a risk factor 

among those perpetrating such crimes.[6] To align this priority topic with the purpose of this solicitation, NIJ will 

consider proposals focusing on cases in which a person poses a threat to harm others. Studies focusing exclusively 

on suicide cases will not be considered. Proposals may incorporate an aspect of suicidality only in tandem with the 

commission of intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and/or mass shooting (i.e., the perpetrator poses a threat to 

harm others AND themselves). 

Category 2: Research on Illegal Possession and Sources of Firearms Used in the Commission of Crime and 

the Relationship of Those Sources to Shootings and Gun-related Violence 

NIJ research in a limited number of study sites suggests that a disproportionately high rate of firearm-related crimes, 

including murder and assault, as well as other forms of violent crime, are committed by persons prohibited from 

legally possessing a firearm or who obtained their firearms from illegal sources.[7] Study findings are mixed on 

whether there is a relationship between increased crime rates and levels of legally purchased firearms[8] (The 

variation in findings may be, in part, due to the localized nature of the problem and differences in policies, such as 

regulation around gun sales and transfers, that affect the source of firearms used in crimes.) NIJ-sponsored research 

also indicates that most individuals who commit mass shootings in schools obtain firearms by stealing them from 

family members, while those who commit mass shootings in other places typically purchase them lawfully.[9] Such 

nuances present challenges for building evidence to inform the development of sound solutions aimed at reducing 

firearm violence. Thus, NIJ seeks applications that propose rigorous studies to improve scientific knowledge and 

understanding of how firearms used in the commission of a crime are acquired, both legally and illegally, to inform the 

development of intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, more research on the relationship between the 

illegal possession of firearms used in the commission of a crime, conducted across a larger number of sites, is 

needed. NIJ is also interested in studies designed to determine what sources (both legal and illegal) of firearms used 

in the commission of a crime are associated with and/or have an impact on firearm-related crime rates. 

NIJ encourages proposals that use secondary (e.g., firearm trace and individual-level record data), and/or primary 

(e.g., survey, interview) data.[10] Where applicable, applicants are encouraged to partner with local law enforcement 

agencies, prosecutorial offices, or other pertinent entities to secure access to data that capture whether the firearm 

used in crime was in possession of a prohibited person and/or the source of firearm possessed by an individual who 

committed a firearm-related crime. The data sources may include a record management system, incident and 

investigative reports, and court records. The crimes may include, but are not limited to: murder; aggravated 

robberies; other aggravated street crimes, such as drive-by-shootings; and mass shootings. 

Additional Information 

Applicants should discuss potential risks and harms to individuals or groups associated with the use and/or misuse of 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
any practice or technology proposed as a part of the research and evaluation, as well as any ethical considerations 

that may factor into its use. In addition, applicants should be aware of all relevant statutes, regulations, and/or 

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

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

technology proposed should be described, and a realistic approach to mitigate such limitations in the context of the 

proposed research should be discussed. 

Evaluation Research 

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

application is expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate for the research questions to be 

addressed. If the primary purpose of the evaluation is to determine the effectiveness or impact of an intervention 

(e.g., program, practice, or policy), the most rigorous evaluation designs may include random selection and 

assignment of participants (or other appropriate units of analysis) to experimental and control conditions. In cases 

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

the risk of selection bias. 

Applications that propose evaluation research should also include an implementation evaluation component to 

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

research methods that enable interim feedback on implementation fidelity to enable program providers to make 

ongoing improvements in program delivery. 

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

demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity through discussion of potential risks (if any) to 

independence and integrity, and appropriate safeguards, as required. 

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

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

practical information for practitioners and policymakers that helps with decision-making. Evaluation research projects 

may also address a wide range of research questions beyond those focused on the effectiveness or impact of an 

intervention. Different research designs may be more appropriate for different research questions and at different 

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

be considered when selecting an evaluation design. 

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

questions to be addressed. Applicants are encouraged to review evidence-rating criteria at https:// 

crimesolutions.ojp.gov/about/how-we-review-and-rate-program-start-finish for further information on high-quality 

evaluation design elements. 

New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity 

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

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

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

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

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

submission: 

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

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

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

30, 2023. 

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

Research Fellows. 

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

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

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for funding of research and program evaluation projects that inform 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
efforts to prevent and reduce intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and mass shootings in the United States. 

Goals 

The goal of this program is to inform efforts in preventing and reducing intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and 

mass shootings in the United States. 

Objectives 

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

Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline web-based form. 

The primary objective of this solicitation is to generate and advance knowledge related to ERPO laws and illegal 

possession and sources of firearms used in the commission of a crime. 

Deliverables 

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

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

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

expected to submit to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) all data sets that result, in whole or in 

part, from the work funded by the award, along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future 

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

secondary analysis. 

In addition to these deliverables (and the required reports and data on performance measures), NIJ expects scholarly 

products to result from each award under this solicitation, taking the form of one or more published, peer-reviewed, 

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

academic press, technological prototypes, patented inventions, or similar scientific products. NIJ expects that there 

will be an equal effort to make the research findings accessible to practitioner and policymaker audiences. 

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

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

Priority Areas 

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

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

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

community. 

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

Communities Through the Federal Government 

In support of Executive Order 13985, OJP will give priority consideration to: 

A. Applications that propose research project(s) that are designed to promote racial equity and the removal of 

barriers to access and opportunity for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and 

adversely affected by inequality, when making award decisions. 

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

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

historically marginalized populations. 

B. Applicants that demonstrate that their capabilities and competencies for implementing their proposed project 

(s) are enhanced because they (or at least one proposed subrecipient that will receive at least 40% of the 

requested award funding, as demonstrated in the Budget Web-Based Form) identify as a culturally specific 

organization. 

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

organization (or funding the culturally specific subrecipient organization(s)) will enhance their ability to 

implement the proposed project(s) and should also specify which populations are intended or expected to be 

served or to have their needs addressed under the proposed project(s). 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
Culturally specific organizations are defined for the purposes of this solicitation as private nonprofit or tribal 

organizations whose primary purpose as a whole is to provide culturally specific services to racial and ethnic 

groups, including, among others, Black people, Hispanic and Latino people, Native American and other 

Indigenous peoples of North America (including Alaska Native, Eskimo, and Aleut), Asian Americans, Native 

Hawaiians, and/or Pacific Islanders. 

2. Minority Serving Institutions 

NIJ will give special consideration in award decisions to proposals from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). 

MSIs include: 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 

Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSI) 

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) 

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

Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) 

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

Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) 

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

thresholds and is designated as such by the federal government for various purposes under specific statutes. For 

more information, please see the U.S. Department of Education's definitions and lists of institutions. (The lists are 

provided for reference purposes only; MSI status is not an eligibility criterion for this solicitation.) 

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

Receiving priority consideration for one or more priority areas does not guarantee an award. 

Federal Award Information 

Solicitation Categories 

Competition ID Category * Number of Dollar Amount for Performance Performance 

Awards Award Start Date Duration 

(Months) 

C-NIJ-2023-00005-PROD 

Category 1: Research or 

Evaluation of Extreme Risk 

Protection Order (ERPO) 

Laws, Otherwise Known as 

"Red Flag Laws," with a 

focus on Firearm Violence 

and/or Mass Shootings 

9 $7,000,000.00 1/1/24 12:00 AM Up to 60 

C-NIJ-2023-00006-PROD 

Category 2: Research on 

Illegal Possession and 

Sources of Firearms Used in 

the Commission of Crime 

and the Relationship of 

Those Sources to Shootings 

and Gun-related Violence 

3 $2,000,000.00 1/1/24 12:00 AM Up to 60 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

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

1/1/24 60 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under 

Solicitation 

$9,000,000.00 

Additional Information 

Please see Anticipated Number of Awards, Anticipated 

Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards, and Period of 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
Performance Duration sections below. 

Continuation Funding Intent 

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

continuation awards. NIJ will consider, among other factors, NIJ’s strategic priorities, a recipient’s overall 

management of the award, and the award-funded work’s progress, when making continuation award decisions. 

Availability of Funds 

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

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

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

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

agents, or any other person. 

Type of Award 

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

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

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

Financial Management and System 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 2023, 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 2023 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, 

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

What will not be funded: 

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

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

or analysis.) 

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

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

sources and explain what type of match will be provided. 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

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

Information” section. 

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

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

costs). 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
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 fund up to 12 awards, including up to 9 awards under Category 1 and up to 3 awards under 

Categories 2. 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

The total amount available under this solicitation is $9 Million ($7 Million for Category 1 and $2 Million for Categories 

2). 

Period of Performance Duration 

The period of performance cannot exceed 60 Months. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the solicitation cover page. 

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

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

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands. 

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

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

agreement.) 

Notice regarding law enforcement agencies: State, local, and university or college law enforcement agencies 

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

eligible for FY 2023 DOJ discretionary grant funding. To become certified, the law enforcement agency must meet 

two mandatory conditions: (1) the agency’s use-of-force policies adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local 

laws, and (2) the agency’s use-of-force policies prohibit chokeholds except in situations where use of deadly force is 

allowed by law. The certification requirement also applies to law enforcement agencies receiving DOJ discretionary 

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

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 

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

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel. (For purposes of this solicitation, “key personnel” means the 

principal investigator, and any and all co-principal investigators.) 

If NIJ determines that an application does not include these elements, it will neither proceed to peer review, nor 

receive further consideration. 

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

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

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

information on completing the SF-424. 

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

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

user in JustGrants. 

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. 

(In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting “Program is not covered by E.O. 

12372.”) 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 

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

submitted in Grants.gov. The applicant will need to review the Standard Applicant Information in JustGrants and 

make edits as needed. Within this section, the applicant will need to add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project; 

confirm their Authorized Representative; and verify and confirm the organization’s unique entity identifier, legal name, 

and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

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

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

completed in the JustGrants web-based form. This abstract should be in paragraph form, without bullets or tables, 

written in the third person, and exclude personally identifiable information. Abstracts will be made publicly available 

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

Guide for an example of a proposal abstract. 

Proposal Narrative 

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

double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 30 

numbered pages. Pages should be numbered and submitted as an attachment. If the Proposal Narrative fails to 

comply with these length restrictions, NIJ may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in the final award 

decision. Tables, charts, and graphs included in the program narrative can be created in a legible font smaller than 

12-point, and those items will count toward the page limit. 

The Proposal Narrative should include the following sections: 

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

The title page should include: 

Project title. 

Submission date. 

Funding opportunity number. 

Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators). 

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

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

Key words, including science focus areas. 

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

the principal investigator. 

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

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

this. A statement should be provided, no more than two pages, addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJassigned application number of the previous application, and (2) a brief summary of revisions to the application, 

including responses to previous feedback received from NIJ. 

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

d. Main Body 

1. Statement of the Problem 

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

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

populations, and to answer questions relevant to current policy and practice needs and public interests. It is not 

uncommon for multiple problems to exist simultaneously (for example, there may be a criminal justice problem 

affecting public safety, a current technical challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well as a 

scientific/technology gap between the current state of the art and a desired solution) and applicants should 

discuss each of these clearly and justify the importance of the separate issues. As part of this discussion, 

applicants should present a review of previous literature and discuss previous research related to these 

problems. 

2. Project Design and Implementation 

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

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

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

research methodology and analysis plan in detail and demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the data they 

will collect. Applicants should consider the rigor and soundness of the methodology and analytical and technical 

approaches for the proposed research and address the feasibility of the proposed project and potential 

challenges or problems in carrying out the activities. 

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

proposed project(s) will address issues related to racial equity and the removal of barriers to access and 

opportunity, and/or contribute to greater access to services, for communities that have been historically 

underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality, and should also identify how the project 

design and implementation will specifically incorporate the input or participation of these communities. 

3. Potential Impact 

Applicants should describe the potential impact of the research and how it may inform or improve criminal or 

juvenile justice-related policy, practice, or theory in the United States. The applicant should include a discussion 

of the proposed dissemination plan to produce scholarly products and to make information available to broader 

interested audiences, such as criminal justice practitioners or policymakers. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies 

This section should describe the experience and capability of the applicant organization, key staff, and any 

proposed subgrantees (including consultants) that the applicant will use to implement and manage this effort 

and the federal funds under this award, highlighting any previous experience implementing projects of similar 

scope, design, and magnitude. Applicants should address: 

Experience and capacity to work with the proposed data sources in the conduct of similar research 

efforts. 

Experience and capacity to design and implement rigorous research and data analysis projects. 

Experience producing and disseminating meaningful deliverables. 

Applicants should also outline the management plan and organization that connects to the goals and objectives 

of the project. Among other factors, that plan should include a description of the anticipated level of effort of key 

personnel. 

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

being a culturally specific organization (or funding a culturally specific subrecipient organization at a minimum of 

40% of the project budget) will enhance its ability to implement the proposed project(s) and specify which 

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

conducted under the proposed project(s). 

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

The project management plan. 

If the application (including the budget) identifies any proposed non-competitive agreements that are or 

may be considered procurement "contracts" (rather than subawards), for purposes of federal grants 

administrative requirements, the applicant also must list the entities with which the applicant proposes to 

contract. 

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

applicable). 

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

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

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

data as part of each award’s reporting requirements. Some measures are presented as examples, while others 

are the exact measures that every recipient will be expected to address. 

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

results. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the “Goals, 

Objectives, and Deliverables” discussion. Applicants can visit OJP’s performance measurement page at 

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

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

below. 

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

performance reports, and the final research report and separately submit a semi-annual performance report in 

JustGrants. NIJ will provide further guidance on the post-award submission process, if the applicant is selected 

for award. 

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 

The applicant will submit the project's goals, objectives, deliverables and timeline in the JustGrants web-based form. 

The applicant will also enter the projected fiscal year and quarter that each objective and deliverable will be 

completed. Please refer to the Application Submission Job Aid for step-by-step directions. 

Goals. The applicant should describe the project’s intent to change, reduce, or eliminate the problem noted in the 

previous section and outline the project’s goals. 

Program Objectives. The applicant should explain how the program will accomplish its goals. Objectives are specific, 

quantifiable statements of the project’s desired results. They should be measurable and clearly linked to the goal. 

Deliverables.  Project deliverables refer to outputs—tangible or intangible—that are submitted within the scope of a 

project. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

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

Application Resource Guide and the Complete the Application in JustGrants – Budget training. 

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

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

instead of the guidance stated under the “Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

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

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

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

applicant expects to make and the proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported 

with non-federal contributions. 

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

Information. 

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

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

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority 1(A) and has proposed activities (such as community or 

stakeholder meetings, community outreach or public awareness campaigns, community participation in project 

design, implementation, or evaluation, etc.) to incorporate the input and participation of communities that have been 

historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality, financial support for the identified 

activities and participation must be reflected in the web-based budget form. 

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

proposed subrecipient as a culturally specific organization, the proposed funding for the subrecipient in the webbased budget form must reflect a minimum of 40% of award funding. The budget narrative must also describe 

how the activities that will be funded with the (minimum) 40% of award funding provided to the subrecipient 

specifically relate to the priority consideration requested and described in the Capabilities and Competencies 

section of the application. 

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

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

more information. 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

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

Grant Application Resource Guide for more information on indirect costs. 

Consultant Rate 

See the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for information on the consultant rates which require prior approval from OJP. 

Limitation on Employee Compensation; Waiver 

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

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

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of 

high-risk status) 

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

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

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 

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

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

this disclosure. 

Additional Application Components 

The applicant will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

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Provide curriculum vitae or resume of the principal investigator and any and all co-principal investigators. In addition, 

curriculum vitae, resume, or biographical sketches of all other individuals (regardless of “investigator” status) who will 

be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the proposed project (including, for example, individuals such as 

statisticians used to conduct proposed data analysis). 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

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

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

JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on tribal authorizing resolutions. 

Timeline Form 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

Letters of Support 

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations collaborating in the project, such as 

law enforcement and correctional agencies (if applicable). 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

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

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

award funds. The applicant will upload documentation of its research and evaluation independence and integrity as 

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

Bibliography/reference 

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

Any Tools/Instruments, Questionnaires, Tables/Charts/Graphs, or Maps 

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

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

List of Individuals in the Application 

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

reviewers of the application), provide a complete list of the individuals named or otherwise identified anywhere in the 

application (including in the budget or in any other attachment) who will or may work (or advise or consult) on the 

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

and Roles” form available on the NIJ webpage to prepare this list. 

Human Subjects Protection 

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

Review Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-protection. Note: Final IRB approval is 

not required at the time an application is submitted. 

Privacy Certificate 

Privacy Certificate as a separate file (for further guidance go to https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/confidentiality-and-privacyprotections and https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate). 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

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

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

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

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable 

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Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

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

and the consortium organization(s). 

Data Archiving Plan 

Applicants should anticipate that NIJ will require, through special award conditions, that data sets resulting in whole 

or in part from projects funded under this solicitation be submitted for archiving with the NACJD. See https:// 

nij.ojp.gov/funding/data-archiving. 

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

archiving requirements. The plan should provide brief details about proposed data management and archiving, 

including submission to NIJ (through NACJD) of all files and documentation necessary to allow for future efforts by 

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

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

instrumentation and data collection forms, codebook(s), any specialized programming code necessary to reproduce 

all constructed measures and the original data analysis, description of necessary de-identification procedures, and 

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

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

requirements. 

Note that recipients are strongly encouraged to submit required data sets at least 90 days before the end of the 

period of performance. 

Disclosures and Assurances 

The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. Once the applicant submits in Grants.gov, this information will prepend into JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

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

Guide for additional information. 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

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

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; DrugFree Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing 

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

Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing. See the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 

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

Grantee is an award recipient that has received a DOJ High Risk designation based on a documented history of 

unsatisfactory performance; financial instability; management system or other internal control deficiencies; 

noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards or is otherwise not responsible. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

How to Apply 

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

(SAM). You must renew and validate your registration every 12 months.  If you do not renew your SAM registration, it 

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will expire.  An expired registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants. 

Registration and renewal can take up to 10 business days to complete. 

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

JustGrants. 

Step 1: After registering with SAM, the applicant must submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https:// 

www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html by the Grants.gov deadline. Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as 

possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, 

they will be unable to apply in JustGrants. 

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

JustGrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants deadline. 

Within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the individual in Section 8F of the SF-424 will 

receive an email from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov with instructions on how to create a JustGrants account. Register 

the Entity Administrator and the Application Submitter with JustGrants as early as possible but no later than 48-72

hours before the JustGrants deadline. Once registered in JustGrants, the Application Submitter will receive an 

emailed link to complete the rest of the application in JustGrants. The Entity Administrator also will need to log into

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

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

of the application components will be entered directly into JustGrants, and others will require uploading attached 

documents. Therefore, applicants will need to allow ample time before the JustGrants deadline to prepare each 

component. Applicants may save their progress in the system and revise the application as needed prior to hitting the 

Submit button at the end of the application in JustGrants. 

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

Application Submission Checklist. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on  April 20, 2023. 

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. eastern time on May 04, 2023. 

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

time to correct any errors and resubmit by the submission deadlines if a rejection notification is received. To be 

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

Failure to begin the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants registration process in sufficient time (i.e., waiting until the 

date identified in this solicitation) is not an acceptable reason for late submission. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application 

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

technical issue with a government system prevented application submission. 

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

applicant may request a waiver to submit an application after the deadline. However, the waiver request will not be 

considered unless it includes a tracking number generated when the applicant contacts the applicable service desks 

to report technical difficulties. Tracking numbers are generated automatically when an applicant emails the applicable 

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

intend to call the service desk for phone support. Experiencing wait times for phone support does not relieve the 

applicant of the responsibility of getting a tracking number. 

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

technical issue and receive a tracking number: 

SAM.gov - contact the SAM Help Desk (Federal Service Desk), Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 

866-606-8220. 

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

federal holidays, at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, or support@grants.gov. 

JustGrants - contact the JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175, Monday 

– Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. 

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

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

deadline. 

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

must contact the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours of the JustGrants deadline to request 

approval to submit after the deadline. 

Waiver requests sent to the OJP Response Center must -

describe the technical difficulties experienced, 

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

actions taken to resolve the issue and resubmit; and date and time support representatives responded), 

include an attachment of the complete grant application and all the required documentation and materials, 

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

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

issue. 

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

request for late submission has been approved or denied. An applicant that does not provide documentation of a 

technical issue or that does not submit a waiver request within the required time period will be denied. 

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

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

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

Merit Review Criteria 

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

project/program addresses the following criteria: 

Statement of the Problem(understanding of the problem) (15%) 

Demonstrated understanding of the problem. 

Demonstrated importance of research questions, goals and objectives, including alignment with the aims 

of the solicitation. 

Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research. 

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

Feasibility of proposed project. 

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

proposed project. 

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

and/or mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

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

organization and proposed project staff) (15%) 

Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (that is, the principal investigator, any and all coprincipal investigators, and all other individuals (and organizations) identified in the application (regardless 

of “investigator” status) who will be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the proposed project). 

Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to implement the proposed strategies and manage the 

effort. 

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

organization) and the scope and strategies of the proposed project. 

Potential Impact (20%) 

Potential for a significant scientific or technical advance(s) that will improve criminal/juvenile justice in the 

United States. 

Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated criminal/juvenile justice problem. 

Potential for innovative solution to address (all or a significant part of) the stated criminal/juvenile justice 

problem. 

Strength and feasibility of the proposed dissemination plan to produce scholarly products (such as 

published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, 

technological prototypes, patented inventions, databases, standards or similar scientific products) as well 

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

practitioners or policymakers. 

Budget (5%) 

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

scientific and technical merit. 

Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities. 

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

Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

Other Review Criteria/Factors 

Other important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities (specifically including, but not 

limited to, those priority areas already mentioned, if applicable), available funding, past performance, and the extent 

to which the Budget Web-Based Form accurately explains project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and 

otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles. 

Review Process 

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

technical merit by a peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review policy and procedures using the review 

criteria listed above. 

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

Although specific requirements may vary, the following are common requirements applicable to all OJP solicitations: 

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

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

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

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

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

related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant entity. Among other things to help assess whether an applicant 

with one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record of performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP 

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

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

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

performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information 

System, FAPIIS). 

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

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

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

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

account not only peer review ratings and NIJ recommendations, but also other factors as indicated in this section. 

Federal Award Administration Information 

Federal Award Notices 

Generally, award notifications are made by the end of the current Federal fiscal year, September 30th. See the OJP 

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

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the 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 Security Clauses 

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

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

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 

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

solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data. 

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

reports, final financial and performance reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the Part 

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

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

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

requirements, including performance measure data. 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

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

page. 

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

cover page. 

Other Information 

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

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

U.S.C. §§ 552 and 552a). 

Provide Feedback to OJP 

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

Performance Measures 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

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

having clear implications for scope did not deviate from the funded project or and products of the work performed 

criminal justice policy and any subsequent agency-approved modifications under the NIJ award (including, at 

practice in the United States. to the scope. minimum, a final research report). If 

applicable, an annual audit report. 

Conduct research in science, 2. Quality of the research as demonstrated by 2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly 

technology, engineering, and/ the scholarly products that result in whole or in products that resulted in whole or in 

or mathematics having clear part from work funded under the NIJ award, part from work funded under the NIJ 

implications for criminal or such as published, peer-reviewed, scientific award. 

juvenile justice policy and journal articles, and/or (as appropriate for the 

practice in the United States. funded project) law review journal articles, book 

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

technological prototypes, patented inventions, or 

similar scientific products. 

3. Quality of management as measured by such 

factors as whether significant project milestones 

were achieved, reporting and other deadlines 

were met, and costs remained within approved 

limits. 

3. If applicable, each data set that 

resulted in whole or in part from work 

funded under the NIJ award. 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
Application Checklist 

NIJ FY23 Research and Evaluation on Firearms Violence and Mass Shootings 

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

the OJP Application Submission Steps in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the DOJ Application 

Submission Checklist. 

Pre-Application 

Before Registering in Grants.gov: 

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

Application Resource Guide) 

Register in Grants.gov 

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

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

Find the Funding Opportunity 

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

Select the correct Competition ID 

Category 1: Research or Evaluation of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Laws, Otherwise Known as 

"Red Flag Laws," with a focus on Firearm Violence and/or Mass Shootings - C-NIJ-2023-00005-PROD 

Category 2: Research on Illegal Possession and Sources of Firearms Used in the Commission of Crime 

and the Relationship of Those Sources to Shootings and Gun-related Violence - C-NIJ-2023-00006-

PROD 

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

Guide) 

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

Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov 

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

www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#6g3y8 (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Review the Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements 

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

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

Review the Scope Requirement 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s). 

Review Eligibility Requirement: 

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

~~~~ 

Application Step 1 

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

In Section 8F of the SF-424, include the name and contact information of the individual who will complete the application in JustGrants and the SF-LLL in Grants.gov 

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

a submission receipt 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
a validation receipt 

a grantor agency retrieval receipt 

an agency tracking number assignment 

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

ContactOJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov or 800-851-3420 or TTY: 301-240-6310 (hearing impaired 

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

or support@grants.gov regarding technical difficulties (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the individual in Section 8F of the SF-424 will 

receive an email from JustGrants with login instructions. 

Proceed to Application Step 2 and complete application in JustGrants 

Application Step 2 

Submit the following information in JustGrants: 

Application Components 

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

Proposal Abstract 

Proposal Narrative* 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Web-Based form* 

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

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

Guide) 

Additional Application Components 

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

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

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

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes* 

Timeline Form 

Letters of Support 

Bibliography/reference 

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

List of Individuals 

Human Subjects 

Privacy Certificate 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

New Investigator Status (if applicable) 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

Data Archiving 

Disclosures and Assurances 

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

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

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
DOJ Certified Standard Assurances (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

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

Resource Guide) 

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

requirements review. If OJP determines that an application does not include the designated items, it will

neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration. 

Review, Certify and Submit Application in JustGrants 

Any validation errors will immediately display on screen after submission. 

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

application. Access the Application Submission Validation Errors Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions to resolve errors prior to submission. 

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

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

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

difficulties. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Standard Solicitation Resources 

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

applications for OJP funding. 

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

fiduciary responsibility to safeguard grant funds and to ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were 

awarded. It compiles a variety of laws, rules and regulations that affect the financial and administrative management 

of DOJ awards. This guide serves as a starting point for all award recipients and subrecipients of DOJ grants and 

cooperative agreements in ensuring the effective day-to-day management of awards. 

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

itself. Through this portal both award recipients and applicants can access training resource and user support 

options, find frequently asked questions and sign-up for the JustGrants Update e-newsletter. 

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

process. This training page includes e-learning videos, reference guides, checklists and other resources to help 

applicants complete an application. 

Virtual Q&A Sessions are advertised here and provide opportunities for users to receive topic-specific training, direct 

technical assistance and support on JustGrants system functionality. 

Endnotes 

[1] See BJA FY 2022 Extreme Risk Protective Order and Firearm Crisis Intervention Training and Technical 

Assistance Initiative for funding opportunities to provide training and technical assistance to support the Byrne State 

Crisis Intervention Program. 

[2] June 7, 2022, Statement of Administration Policy. 

[3] The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act requires that extreme risk protection order laws and programs are 

implemented fairly and within constitutional guidelines. 

[4] Commentary for Extreme Risk Protection Order Model Legislation (justice.gov). 

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O-NIJ-2023-171566 
[5] See Jillian Peterson, “A Multi-Level, Multi-Method Investigation of the Psycho-Social Life Histories of Mass 

Shooters,” Final report to the National Institute of Justice, award number 2018-75-CX-0023, January 2021, NCJ 

302101, https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/302101.pdf; Grant Duwe et al., “Forecasting the Severity of Mass 

Public Shootings in the United States,” Journal of Quantitative Criminology 38 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1007/ 

s10940-021-09499-5; James Alan Fox et al., “Does Media Coverage of Mass Public Shootings Create a Contagion 

Effect?” Royal Statistical Society 19 (1) (2022), https://doi.org/10.1111/1740-9713.01610; and Jillian Turanovic et al., 

“A Comprehensive Assessment of Deadly Mass Shootings, 1980-2018,” Final report to the National Institute of 

Justice, award number 2018-75-CX-0024, July 2022, NCJ 305090, https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/ 

305090.pdf. 

[6] Risk factors for femicide-suicide in abusive relationships: results from a multisite case control study - PubMed 

(nih.gov). 

[7] See Cook, P. J. (2018). Gun markets. Annual Review of Criminology, 1, 359-377; and Illegal Firearm Availability 

and Violence: Neighborhood-Level Analysis. (English) By: Yu SV; Lee D; Pizarro JM, Journal of interpersonal 

violence [J Interpers Violence], ISSN: 1552-6518, 2020 Oct; Vol. 35 (19-20), pp. 3986-4012; Publisher: Sage 

Publications; PMID: 29294789. 

[8] See for example Siegel, Michael, Craig S. Ross, and Charles King, “Examining the Relationship Between the 

Prevalence of Guns and Homicide Rates in the USA Using a New and Improved State-Level Gun Ownership Proxy,” 

Injury Prevention, Vol. 20, No. 6, 2014, pp. 424–426; Siegel, Michael, Craig S. Ross, and Charles King, “Examining 

the Relationship Between the Prevalence of Guns and Homicide Rates in the USA Using a New and Improved StateLevel Gun Ownership Proxy,” Injury Prevention, Vol. 20, No. 6, 2014, pp. 424–426. 

[9] Five Facts About Mass Shootings in K-12 Schools | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov). 

[10] https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/suficspi16.pdf. 

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