OMB No. 1121-0329 

Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Research and Development in 

Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program 

Assistance Listing Number #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2023-171847 

Solicitation Release Date:     August 08, 2023 2:30 PM ET  

Application Grants.gov Deadline:    August 15, 2023 11:59 PM ET  

Application JustGrants Deadline:    August 22, 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 to support 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. 

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 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Other 

Other 

Only the applicants that received an official invitation letter from NIJ are able and eligible 

to apply. Please refer to that letter for the eligibility requirements. 

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O-NIJ-2023-171847
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. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the NIJ Forensic 

Science R&D Program Team by email at Forensic.Research@usdoj.gov. 

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 an 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 then submit the full application, including attachments, in 

JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants deadline. To be considered timely, 

the full application must be submitted in JustGrants 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 

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O-NIJ-2023-171847
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-2023-171847 
Contents 

Overview 

Contact Information 

Program Description 

1 

2 

6 

Overview 6 

Specific Information 6 

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 7 

Evidence-Based Programs 11 

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and 

Activities 

Waiver 

Training Costs 

(SF-424) in 

11 

Federal Award Information 11 

General Guidance for Federal Award 11 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 11 

Type of Award 11 

Financial Management and System Controls 11 

Budget Information 12 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 12 

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

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: 12 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/ 12 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 12 

13 

13 

13 

Availability of Funds 

Eligibility Information 

Application and Submission Information 

Content of Application Submission 13 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance 13 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 14 

Proposal Abstract 14 

Proposal Narrative 14 

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 19 

Budget and Associated Documentation 20 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 20 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 20 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 20 

Grants.gov 

Information) 

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Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 20 

Additional Application Components 20 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 20 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 21 

Human Subjects Protection 21 

Privacy Certificate 21 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 21 

Data Archiving Plan 21 

Disclosure and Assurances 22 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 22 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 22 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 22 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 22 

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace 

Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if22 

applicable) 

Requirements 

552a) 

How to Apply 22 

Submission Dates and Time 23 

Application Review Information 25 

Review Process 25 

Federal Award Administration Information 26 

Federal Award Notices 26 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 26 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 26 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting 26 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 26 

Other Information 27 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 27 

Provide Feedback to OJP 27 

Performance Measures 27 

Application Checklist 29 

Standard Solicitation Resources 32 

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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 highlydiscriminating, 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 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. 

Statutory Authority: Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 

(sections 201 and 202); the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233, 235); and 

28 U.S.C. 530C. 

Specific Information 

This solicitation seeks applications for funding to support basic or applied research and 

development forensic science projects. 

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 

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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. 

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, and Deliverables 

Goals/Objectives 

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 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 of 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. 

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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 

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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 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 

(comprehensive, searchable, easily accessible, secure databases for use in 

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O-NIJ-2023-171847 
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 Technical Summary. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be 

expected to submit a final technical summary. Additional information on the final 

technical summary 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 

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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 

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 information and applicable documentation to be included in 

the application, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide section entitled 

“Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities.” 

Federal Award Information 

General Guidance for Federal Award 

Anticipated Number of Awards: one (1) per invitation 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of awards: please refer to invitation letter 

Period of performance start date: please refer to invitation letter 

Period of performance duration: please refer to invitation letter 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

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 Controls 

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Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are passthrough 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.) 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 

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. 

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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. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the solicitation cover page. 

For information on cost sharing or matching requirements, see the Federal Award 

Information section. 

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: 

Proposal Narrative 

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

the budget narrative.) 

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) 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. 

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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 prepopulated 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 Organization 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 not exceed 18 pages. Pages should be numbered. 

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

a. 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. 

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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. 

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 followup 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. 

b. Project Design and Implementation 

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

research project and address the research questions. Design elements should follow 

directly from the research project’s goals and objectives and address the programspecific information noted in the solicitation. Applicants should describe the research 

methodology and analysis plan in detail and demonstrate the validity and usefulness of 

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

methodology and analytical and technical approaches for the proposed research and 

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

carrying out the activities. 

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). 

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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) 

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

wigs 

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. 

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. 

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New Investigators should include preliminary data. 

c. 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. 

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 

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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. 

d. 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. An 

applicant 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 at page XX. 

NIJ will require award recipients to submit performance measure data, quarterly financial 

reports, semi-annual performance reports, and the Final Technical Summary in 

JustGrants. Further guidance on the post-award submission process, if selected for 

award. 

Note on Project Evaluations 

An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project 

evaluations must follow the guidance in the “Note on Project Evaluations” section in the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 

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

JustGrants web-based form. The projected fiscal year and quarter the objectives and 

deliverables will be completed is also entered into the form.  Please refer to the 

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Application Submission Job Aid for step-by-step directions. 

Goals. The applicant should 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 (attachment) 

The applicant will complete the budget worksheet attachment and submit it by uploading 

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

additional information. 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

If applicable, the applicant will upload their indirect cost rate agreement as an attachment 

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

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 additional 

information and the link to the questionnaire. 

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 

If applicable, the applicant will upload a description of the process used to determine 

executive compensation as an attachment in JustGrants. See the “Application 

Attachments” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information. 

Additional Application Components 

The applicant will attach the requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

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Provide resumes of key personnel. 

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. 

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 stipend 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 necessary de-identification procedures, and (when required) 

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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. Additional information on the data archiving requirement is posted on NIJ’s 

webpage. 

Disclosure 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 pre-pend 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; and Drug-Free 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; and 

Law Enforcement and Community Policing in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for additional information. 

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

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

JustGrants. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is an award recipient that has received a DOJ 

High Risk designation based on a documented history of unsatisfactory performance; 

financial instability; management system or other internal control deficiencies; 

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 

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System for Award Management (SAM). You must renew and validate your registration 

every 12 months. If you do not renew your SAM registration, it will expire. An expired 

registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants.

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

Submission: Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step 

process via Grants.gov and JustGrants. 

Step 1: After registering with SAM, the applicant must submit the SF-424 and an SFLLL 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 August 15, 2023. 

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

22, 2023. 

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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 a request 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. 

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 

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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 who does not provide documentation of a technical issue or who 

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 Process 

OJP reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, 

understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the solicitation. For invited 

applications, OJP reviews for consistency with the invitation letter and invited applicant 

guidance. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the 

application review process. 

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, at its option, 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. 

Final award decisions for research and statistics programs will be made by the Director 

of the National Institute of Justice. For purposes of this Guidance for Invited Applications, 

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O-NIJ-2023-171847 
this “[final] award decisions” provision expressly modifies the “final award decisions” 

provision in the “Application Review Information” section of the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide. 

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 (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. 

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, a final 

technical summary and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the 

Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Future awards and 

fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, 

OJP may require additional reports.) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific 

post-award reporting requirements, including performance measure data. 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

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

solicitation cover page. 

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Other Information 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Freedom of 

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

Provide Feedback to OJP 

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

feedback to OJP. 

Performance Measures 

Performance 

Measures 

Objective 

Performance 

Measure(s) Description Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct 1. Quality of the A technology is 1. Quarterly 

research in research as defined as a tool to financial reports, 

science, demonstrated by the include, for semi-annual and 

technology, scholarly products that example, test final performance 

engineering, and/ result in whole or in methods, software, reports, and 

or mathematics part from work funded hardware, etc. A products of the work 

having clear under the NIJ award, fielded technology performed under the 

implications for such as published, is one that remains NIJ award 

criminal or peer-reviewed, in use at the (including, at 

juvenile justice scientific journal conclusion of the minimum, a final 

policy and articles, and/or (as grant or technical summary). 

practice in the appropriate for the agreement. If applicable, an 

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. 

2. Relevance to the 

needs of the field as 

measured by whether 

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 

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O-NIJ-2023-171847 
the project’s funded under the 

substantive scope did NIJ award. 

not deviate from the 

4. Description of all funded project or any technologies fielded subsequent agency- as a result (in whole approved modifications or in part) of work to the scope. funded under the 

3. Quality of NIJ award. 

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. 

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Application Checklist 

NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Research and Development in Forensic Science for 

Criminal Justice Purposes Program 

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 or keyword(s) 

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-postawardrequirements#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 Scope Requirement: 

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

Review Eligibility Requirement: 

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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 

a validation receipt 

a grantor agency retrieval receipt 

an agency tracking number assignment 

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

received: 

Contact NIJ 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 Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 

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) 

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Disclosure of Process related to Executive Compensation (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Additional Application Components 

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) 

Résumés of key personnel (if applicable) 

Human Subject Protection paperwork 

Privacy Certificate 

Data Archiving Plan 

Disclosures and Assurances 

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

Guide) 

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

Resource Guide) 

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

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

and Community Policing (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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 

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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 dayto-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. 

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