Notices regarding the solicitation “Research and Evaluation on 

Promising Reentry Initiatives, Fiscal Year 2021” 

March 3, 2021: A separate project management plan is not required. However, the 

discussion of capabilities and competencies in the main body of the proposal narrative 

should outline the management plan and organization that connects the goals and 

objectives of the project.

February 1, 2021: NIJ has extended both deadlines for this solicitation to:

Grants.gov Deadline: March 25, 2021 11:59 PM

Application JustGrants Deadline: April 8, 2021 11:59 PM

January 15, 2021: A "Clarifications" section has been added on page 12.

January 13, 2021: On page 9, under "New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity," the 

timeframe requirement for completion of a terminal degree or post-graduate clinical training has 

been changed from "within the ten (10) years before September 30, 2021" to "within the four (4) 

years before September 30, 2021." 

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

Approval Expires  11/30/2020 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives, Fiscal 

Year 2021 

CFDA #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2021-40002

Solicitation Release Date: December 11, 2020 1:59 PM 

Version:  5

Grants.gov Deadline: 

Application JustGrants Deadline: 

March 25, 2021 11:59 PM 

April 8, 2021 11:59 PM 

Overview 

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

Justice (NIJ), seeking applications for funding for research and evaluations of promising 

reentry initiatives. This project furthers the Department’s mission by supporting the 

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

United States. 

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

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants for the preparation 

and submission to OJP of applications for funding. If this solicitation expressly modifies 

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

the guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision. 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Eligible Applicants: 

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

businesses, Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally 

recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal 

governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher 

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

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

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

Special district governments, State governments, Other 

Other 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, 

the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virginia Islands, Guam, 

American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Page 1 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002
Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are 

not eligible to apply. Federal agencies are eligible to apply. (Any award made to a 

federal agency will be made as an inter-agency reimbursable agreement.) 

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, the Attorney 

General determined that all state, local, and university or college law enforcement 

agencies must be certified by an approved independent credentialing body or have 

started the certification process to be eligible for FY 2021 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 new certification requirement, 

please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO to access the Standards for 

Certification on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, Implementation Fact Sheet, and 

List of Designated Independent Credentialing Bodies. 

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

management fee. 

NIJ will consider applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal 

award; however, only one entity may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as 

subrecipients (subgrantees). For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future fiscal 

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

availability of appropriations. 

Contact Information 

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

Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, at Grants.gov 

customer support webpage, or email at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline 

operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on Federal holidays. 

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ’s Justice Grants System 

(JustGrants), contact the JustGrants Service Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@ 

usdoj.gov. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and 

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays. 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov or JustGrants technical issues beyond 

its control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the Nation 

al Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center (Response Center) at grants@ncjrs.g 

ov within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its 

application after the deadline. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center 

by telephone at 800–851–3420 or TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only) or by email at 

grants@ncjrs.gov. Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date. 

Submission Information 

In FY 2021, applications will be submitted to DOJ in a NEW two-step process. 

Step 1: Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants. 

Page 2 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002 
gov/web/grants/register.html. To register in Grants.gov, applicants will need to obtain a Data 

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM) registration 

or renewal. 

Step 2: Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at Jus 

tGrants.usdoj.gov. 

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

JustGrants application deadline. 

OJP encourages applicants to review, the “How to Apply" section in the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide. 

Page 3 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Contents 

Program Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Statutory Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Specific Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

OJP Priority Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Federal Award Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Continuation Funding Intent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Availability of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Type of Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Budget Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver .13 

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

Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Period of performance duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Eligibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Application and Submission Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of 

Documentation of Anticipated Benefit to Qualified Opportunity Zones (if 

Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) .14 

Information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

Proposal Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

Proposal Narrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Budget and Associated Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

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

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

high-risk status) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Additional Application Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement . . . . . . .18 

Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

Disclosures and Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements . .19 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

How to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Submission Dates and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Application Review Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Review Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

Review Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Federal Award Administration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Federal Award Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements . . . . . . . .22 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements .23 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

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

552a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

Provide Feedback to OJP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

Performance Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

Application Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 

Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002
Program Description 

Overview 

With this solicitation, NIJ requests proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to 

examine reentry initiatives that incorporate promising practices, strategies, or programs. NIJ is 

interested in supporting multi-site, randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluations of innovative 

reentry initiatives that: 

Are specifically designed to address violent, habitual recidivism. 

Are initiated during an individual’s incarceration and continue in the community. 

Address multiple criminogenic needs that can be assessed incrementally. 

The primary goal of this solicitation is to support the rigorous examination of innovative reentry 

initiatives, particularly reentry services, programs, or plans that begin in institutional settings 

and continue in the community after release. NIJ will give preference in award decisions to 

proposals for evaluations of an innovative reentry initiative, addressing the areas of interest 

previously cited, across multiple sites, using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). 

Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal justice or other agencies, 

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

from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support should include the partnering 

agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, provided to, or obtained 

through this project will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal 

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

are encouraged to review the NACJD’s policies and protections at ( NACJD). If selected for 

award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering 

agencies by January 1, 2022. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the 

data archiving requirements of the award. 

In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple 

partnering agencies to carry out the proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency may 

be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in response to this solicitation); 

any others must be proposed as subrecipients. 

Statutory Authority 

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

Specific Information 

Offender reentry initiatives provide services, skills training, or therapeutic interventions 

designed to promote prosocial behavior, reductions in recidivism, and the offenders’ 

successful reintegration into the community from jail or prison. Given the potential public 

safety and fiscal implications of an offender’s successful reentry into society, it is critical for 

correctional stakeholders to know which reentry initiatives are the most efficacious. This 

solicitation is intended to support research and advance knowledge on offender reentry, and 

to build on prior research funded in part by NIJ. 

NIJ has facilitated a large body of knowledge around effective reentry programs. In the fourth 

iteration of this solicitation, NIJ is particularly interested in supporting the evaluation of 

effective strategies that address individuals at high-risk for violent recidivism. The vast 

majority of offenders eventually return to the community. It’s critical for jurisdictions to focus 

their limited resources on implementing programs that address the criminogenic needs of 

offenders that pose the most risk to their community to promote overall public safety. 

Lowering the rates of recidivism for high-risk and/or violent offenders proffers the greatest 

public safety benefit and overall return on investment. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002
Approximately a third of all offenders released were convicted of violent offenses. These 

offenders tend to be more at risk for recidivating for more serious crimes, including violent 

crimes.[1] In a recent Bureau of Justice Statistics study of prison releases from 30 states in

2005, roughly two in five violent offenders were rearrested for a violent crime within the 

decade, more than ten percent in the first year alone.[2] Violent crime is particularly damaging

not only to the victims, but also to the communities in which the crime is committed. 

Preventing violent crime is a priority of corrections agencies. Predicting violence is a major 

impetus driving the continual refinement of risk assessments, particularly the incorporation of 

dynamic risk factors into standard risk assessments.[3]  Given the potential threat to public

safety and community wellbeing, and the priority placed on violent recidivism by corrections 

agencies, NIJ encourages prospective applicants to propose evaluations of reentry programs 

tailored to those at most risk for violent recidivism. Given the critical need to reduce violent 

recidivism and the scarce resources to engage in RNR programming, criminal justice 

agencies need to have the highest level of confidence in the reentry programs to meet the 

criminogenic needs of violent offenders.         

NIJ is also interested in reentry initiatives that began in institutional settings — jails or prisons 

— and continue in the community after an offender’s release. Of particular interest to NIJ are 

proposals that assess the effectiveness of innovative interventions that combine or blend 

traditional approaches, such as educational, vocational, and substance abuse services, with 

cognitive behavioral therapy and/or mental health services. Further, NIJ seeks evidence of 

how best to provide a continuity of programming, both in the institution and community that 

addresses offenders’ criminogenic risks and needs. 

Finally, in an effort to produce the most generalizable knowledge, NIJ asks applicants to 

propose multi-site randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs are less likely than quasiexperimental designs to overestimate the effect of a reentry program.[4] Evaluations testing a

reentry program in multiple states or regions are more likely to capture local effects that can 

impact the effectiveness of a program. They are also better positioned to generate an 

understanding of the barriers to implementation fidelity, as the program will be implemented in 

more than one institutional setting. 

Applicants may propose an evaluation of: 

A specific reentry program delivered to incarcerated offenders at high risk of violent 

recidivism that continue upon release, or 

An integrated reentry plan for offenders at high risk of violent recidivism involving 

multiple programs delivered in a correctional facility and in the community post-release 

to the same offenders.  

Proposals should include process, outcome/impact, and cost studies. Successful applicants 

should examine outcomes related to reductions in recidivism and delinquency or criminal 

behavior, and related reentry outcomes (e.g., housing stability, employment, demonstrating 

academic engagement, participation in structured activities, food security). For an initiative to 

be considered for evaluation under this solicitation, one of its overall goals must be recidivism 

reduction for offenders a high risk of violent recidivism. 

For the purposes of this solicitation, NIJ encourages applicants to define recidivism as 

rearrest, reconviction, and reincarceration. Specific to rearrest, NIJ encourages the collection 

of technical violation and new crime data. Additionally, successful applicants will be expected 

to produce a report detailing interim study results that would include, but not be limited to, 1-

year post-release rearrest rates. 

Preference in award decisions will be given to research proposals that seek to evaluate a 

reentry initiative in multiple sites using an RCT design. The RCT should incorporate random 

assignment into control and treatment groups, with the control group receiving no services or 

the common business practices for the site participating in the evaluation. 

Applicants should provide a compelling justification to support the reentry initiatives suitability 

for evaluation and that the practices, strategies, or programs associated with it are promising. 

Evidence supporting the selected reentry strategy, practice, or program should meet at least 

one of the following criteria: 

Referenced in NIJ’s web-based clearinghouse of programs and practices, Crimesolutio 

ns.gov, as promising or effective. 

Page 7 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002
Cited in the empirical literature on offender reentry. 

Funded by a federal agency, including but not limited to, the Bureau of Justice 

Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. 

Implemented abroad and logically applied to U.S. offender populations. 

NIJ will consider single- and multi-site evaluations of reentry interventions, with a preference 

for the latter. In both instances, a large enough sample that provides sufficient statistical 

power to detect true differences between the treatment and control groups, and the 

generation of generalizable knowledge about offender reentry are imperative. If a multi-site 

evaluation is proposed, applicants should submit research designs that include both sitespecific and pooled outcome analyses. Applicants should also account for any program 

deviations in the outcome analysis. All applicants should document, via letters of support or 

Memoranda of Understanding, that they have established a collaborative relationship with the 

participating site(s) and all relevant agencies to facilitate the acquisition of data required to 

support the proposed research or evaluation effort. 

Successful applicants should expect to meet regularly with NIJ staff — either in-person or 

remotely — and provide periodic updates of evaluation progress, in addition to standard 

reporting requirements. These updates (frequency to be determined by NIJ staff in 

consultation with the successful applicant) may include information on programmatic services 

delivered, fidelity measures, current sample enrollment, and evaluation activities. 

In their proposals, applicants are encouraged to envision how these initiatives can be 

expanded or implemented in different jurisdictions or programmatic settings in order to build 

on the knowledge base of what works in reentry. Applicants may also consider how the core 

logic model of a reentry intervention could be adapted to varied programmatic conditions and 

objectives to meet different needs. 

RCT Evaluation Considerations 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include the following information in the Program 

Narrative of their application: 

1. A description of the reentry intervention-program model with fidelity benchmarks of 

implementation activities. Applicants should describe likely model adaptions that may be 

needed at proposed evaluation sites. A discussion of how these adaptations may 

impact model fidelity should be included. If a multi-site evaluation is proposed, 

applicants should indicate how consistent implementation fidelity will be achieved.

 2. An explanation of the theory of change behind the model activities. Applicants should 

clearly describe how proposed project activities contribute to the expected outcomes, 

such as reducing recidivism. The narrative should clearly identify the data to be 

collected or that is available to measure both activities and outcomes. 

3. The logic model of the evaluation. The logic model should include the randomization 

plan that will outline how the participants will be identified and randomized into either 

the treatment group(s) or control group(s). The randomization plan should also give an 

estimate of the rate of enrollment, if the evaluation will rely on stock or flow enrollment 

(or a combination of both), and when the applicant anticipates that the target sample 

size(s) will be reached. The study should use an intent-to-treat design when analyzing 

differences between the treatment and control groups. Finally, the applicant should 

identify what reentry services, if any, the control group(s) participants will receive. 

4. A power analysis. Applicants should connect the power analysis to anticipated effect 

sizes necessary to detect a difference in the treatment and control groups based on the 

services the control group will receive. If a multi-site evaluation is proposed, applicants 

should include pooled and site-specific calculations in their power analysis. 

5. A discussion of likely sources of contamination in the evaluation design, and how the 

applicant proposes to mitigate contamination. 

6. A robust site description. This should include, but not be limited to, a description of 

any training and technical assistance (TTA) the site(s) has/have received, or will receive 

during the course of the evaluation, and the vendor supplying the TTA. 

Page 8 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002 
7. Evidence that a validated risk assessment was used to measure and confirm the risk

levels for the offenders involved with the reentry initiative under evaluation. Applications

should also include detailed information about the risk assessment as well as the timing

of the measurement of offender risk levels, data collection tools and data collection and

processing procedures, including the steps for accessing data, linking records from

multiple data sets (e.g., across the reentry continuum), and transforming administrative

records into analytic files.

8. A discussion of outcome measures specific to recidivism and other, reentry-specific

outcomes.

Preference will be given to those proposals that include plans to measure the outcomes of 

interest, specifically recidivism, for at least 36-months. Applicants should plan their project 

timelines accordingly and this should be reflected in the project timeline submitted as part of 

the application. 

Supplements may be made available later to successful research projects that are able to 

implement a longer-term follow-up (i.e., longer than 3 years). 

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 four (4) 

years prior to September 30, 2021. 

Have never previously received NIJ funding as a PI on a research project with the 

exception of Graduate Research Fellows or Data Resources Program grantees. 

If seeking to be considered for the New Investigator/Early Career Opportunity, the applicant 

should identify that they are submitting a New Investigator/Early Career proposal on the title 

page of the application. 

Replication Studies 

In addition to welcoming original research, NIJ welcomes proposals to replicate seminal 

studies in the field. NIJ has a particular interest in supporting replication studies. Replication 

studies are vital for building scientific evidence about what works. They test the validity of 

previous research findings and enable questions concerning generalization across 

populations or contexts. When studies are replicated and achieve the same or similar results 

as the original study, it gives greater validity to the findings. Conversely, when they achieve 

dissimilar results they call into question the validity of the findings of the original study. Strong 

replication studies are highly relevant, enhance the generalizability of the original study, and 

produce data of a comparable or higher quality than the data from the original study. They 

also offer the opportunity to build a more robust body of knowledge. For instance, there are 

numerous programs in NIJ’s CrimeSolutions repository of scientific evaluations rated as 

“promising” or “effective” based on less-rigorous quasi-experimental research designs. An 

important contribution to the field would be to subject those programs to a more rigorous 

randomized-controlled trial (RCT) to see if the program still produces the intended effects. 

Page 9 of 27 

O-NIJ-2021-40002
Evaluation Research 

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

research), the application is expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design 

appropriate for the research questions to be addressed. If the primary purpose of the 

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

practice, or policy), the most rigorous evaluation designs may include random selection and 

assignment of participants (or other appropriate units of analysis) to experimental and control 

conditions. In cases where randomization is not feasible, applicants should propose a strong 

quasi-experimental design that can address the risk of selection bias. 

Applications that include evaluation research should consider the feasibility of including 

cost/benefit analysis. In cases where evaluations find that interventions have produced the 

intended benefit, cost/benefit analysis provides valuable and practical information for 

practitioners and policymakers that aids decision-making. 

Evaluation research projects may also address a wide range of research questions beyond 

those focused on the effectiveness or impact of an intervention. Different research designs 

may be more appropriate for different research questions and at different stages of program 

development. The intervention strategies, setting, other contextual factors, and resources 

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

are expected to propose the most rigorous evaluation design appropriate for the research 

questions to be addressed. 

Applicants are encouraged to review evidence-rating criteria at https://www.crimesolutions.go 

v/about_starttofinish.aspx for further information on high-quality evaluation design elements. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Goals 

The primary goal of this solicitation is to advance the body of knowledge on promising 

practices in offender reentry, in part to inform federal and other reentry-specific initiatives. 

Objectives 

The objective of this solicitation is to advance this knowledge through the support of rigorous 

RCT evaluations of promising reentry strategies, practices, and programs. Successfully 

implemented RCTs have the greatest likelihood of providing comprehensive, reliable, and 

unbiased evidence to practitioners and policymakers seeking to implement effective 

interventions in their jurisdictions. Findings from this research will assist state, local, and tribal 

jurisdictions to reduce violent crime and protect public safety personnel by reducing recidivism 

among former offenders as they successfully reintegrate into the community. 

Deliverables 

Interim Research Report. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected to 

submit an interim research report detailing initial study findings. The findings should include, 

but would not be limited to, 1-year post-release arrest rates. 

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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002
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 

demonstrate the results of the work completed, as discussed under Application and 

Submission Information. 

OJP Priority Areas 

In FY 2021 and in addition to executing any program-specific prioritization that may be applicable, 

OJP will give priority consideration to applications as follows: 

Applications that address specific challenges that rural communities face. 

Applications that demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the 

requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties. 

Applications that offer enhancements to public safety in economically distressed communities 

(Qualified Opportunity Zones). 

To receive priority consideration under the rural priority, applicants must describe what makes the 

geographic service area rural (using U.S. Census or other appropriate government data; for 

assistance, applicants may wish to refer to https://www.census.gov/programssurveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html), how isolated the area is from needed 

services, and how they will address specific challenges in rural communities. 

To receive priority consideration under the poverty priority, the applicant must provide information to 

demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in highpoverty areas or persistent poverty counties.  For purposes of this priority consideration, the term 

‘‘high-poverty area’’ means any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as 

measured by the 2013–2017 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of 

the Census Bureau (applicants may search by census tract at https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data 

/data-tables-and-tools/narrative-profiles/2017/) and the term ‘‘persistent poverty counties’’ means 

any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, 

as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and the most recent Small Area Income and 

Poverty Estimates (applicants may search by county at https://www.census.gov/data/tables/timeseries/dec/census-poverty.html and at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe.html). 

To receive priority consideration under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority, applicants must 

include information that specifies how the project will enhance public safety in the specified QOZs. 

For resources on QOZs, and for a current list of designated QOZs, see the U.S. Department of the 

Treasury’s resource webpage, accessible at https://www.cdfifund.gov/pages/opportunity-zones.aspx 

OJP policy priority consideration will consist of receiving additional points in the application scoring 

process. Receipt of priority consideration does not guarantee that an application will be funded; nor 

will the failure to receive priority consideration necessarily mean that an application will not be 

funded. 

Federal Award Information 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Total Federal Awards 

4 

Maximum Dollar Amount for Awards 

$1,200,000.00 

Period of Performance Start Date 

1/1/22 12:00 AM 

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Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

60 

Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

$5,000,000.00 

Clarifications 

Maximum dollar amount for each award: The median funding amount for past NIJ 

Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives grant awards is $1.2 million. 

Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that match the research activities 

proposed, which may be more or less than the anticipated maximum dollar amount of 

awards. Total Federal Awards: NIJ anticipates making 1 to 4 awards.

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 progress of awardfunded work, when making continuation-award decisions. 

Availability of Funds 

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional 

requirements that may be imposed by law. 

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 (and cooperative 

agreements). 

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. The “Part 200 Uniform 

Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R. Part 2800, which adopts (with certain 

modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200. See 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 2021, 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 2021 solicitation in future 

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

the 

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availability of appropriations. 

What will not be funded: 

Applications primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (A budget may 

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

demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

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

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

See “Cofunding” paragraph under item 5 (“Budget and Associated Documentation”)  under 

“Content of Application Submission” in Application and Submission 

Information. 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide 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 information on 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. 

Period of performance duration 

To be determined by the period of performance of awarded applications. Successful 

applicants will be expected to complete the work proposed within a five-year period of 

performance. 

Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see the title page. 

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see “Content of Application 

Submission” in Application and Submission Information. 

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The following application elements MUST be included in the application submission for an 

application to meet the basic minimum requirements (BMR) to advance to peer review and receive 

consideration for funding: 

Program Narrative. 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form). 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel. (Curriculum Vitae for key personnel (For 

purposes of this solicitation, “key personnel” means the principal investigator, and any 

and all co-principal investigators.) 

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

Resource Guide for information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the 

specified elements or that is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation. 

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

The SF-424 will be submitted in Grants.gov. The SF-424 is a required standard form used as 

a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. See 

the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on completing the 

SF-424. 

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is not subject to Executi 

ve Order 12372. (In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting 

the response that the “Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”) 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 

Information) 

The Standard Applicant Information section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the 

SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. Applicants will need to review the Standard Applicant 

Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed. Within this section, applicants will need to: add 

zip codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their Authorized Representative; and verify the 

organization's legal name and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

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

activities, products and deliverables, the service area, and who will benefit from the proposed 

project, will be completed in the JustGrants Web-based form. 

Proposal Narrative 

The program narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The attached 

document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point Times New Roman font; have 

no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 30 pages. Pages should be numbered 

and submitted as an attachment. If the program narrative fails to comply with these lengthrelated restrictions, NIJ may negatively consider such noncompliance in peer review and in 

final award decisions. 

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

a. Title Page (not counted against the program 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 

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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. 

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

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

applicant should indicate this. A statement should be provided, no more than two pages, 

addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJ-assigned application number of the 

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

responses to previous feedback received from NIJ. 

c. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the program 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 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. 

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. This should include a discussion of the applicant’s 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 

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the goals and objectives of the project. 

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

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

Narrative. 

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. 

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). 

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. 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 

The project management plan. 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

Consortium/contractual arrangements. Explain the programmatic, fiscal, and 

administrative arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the 

consortium organization(s). 

Human Subjects Protection paperwork (documentation and forms related to Institutional 

Review Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-andprivacy-protection. Note: Final IRB approval is not required at the time an application is 

submitted. 

Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/confidentiality- and-privacy-protections and https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate). 

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/fundin 

g/data-archiving-plans-nij-funding-applicants. 

Applications should include as an appendix 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. 

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project, such as law enforcement and correctional agencies 

(if applicable). 

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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). 

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-scienceresearch. 

Note: applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, 

performance measures information is included as an alert that successful applicants will be 

required to submit performance data as part of the reporting requirements under an award. 

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that 

demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award. The performance data 

directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified on page 10.   

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 24. 

Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page at 

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

Award recipients will be required to submit performance measure data in quarterly financial 

reports, semi-annual progress reports, and the Final Research Report. Further guidance on 

the post-award submission process will be provided, if selected for award. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

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

JustGrants Web-based form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for additional information. 

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

Requirement” provisions in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. The applicant is to 

follow the guidance in the following paragraph instead of the guidance stated under the “Cost 

Sharing or Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

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

of the total cost of the project. The application should indicate whether it is feasible for the 

applicant to contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-federal support for the project. The 

application should identify generally any such contributions that the applicant expects to make 

and the proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported with 

non-federal contributions. 

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

under Federal Award Information. 

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

budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory 

and subject to audit. 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

Applicants will submit their indirect cost rate agreement by uploading the agreement as an 

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

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of 

high-risk status) 

Applicants will download the questionnaire in JustGrants and submit by uploading the completed 

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

additional information. 

Additional Application Components 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

Curriculum vitae or resume of the principal investigator and any and all co-principal 

investigators. In addition, curriculum vitae, resume, or biographical sketches of all other 

individuals (regardless of “investigator” status) who will be significantly involved in 

substantive aspects of the proposed project (including, for example, individuals such as 

statisticians used to conduct proposed data analysis). 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

If applicable, applicants will submit the Tribal Authorizing Resolution by uploading the resolution as 

an attachment in JustGrants. An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of 

information related to a tribal authorizing resolution as an attachment. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for information on tribal authorizing resolutions. 

Documentation of Anticipated Benefit to Qualified Opportunity Zones (if 

applicable) 

As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to designated 

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). Each applicant proposing to receive priority 

consideration under the under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority must provide a 

sufficient narrative explanation in order for OJP to identify clearly the public safety benefit the 

applicant anticipates that its project will have on a specified QOZ(s). The narrative and the list 

of affected QOZs (by census tract number) must be included as an attachment that is clearly 

labeled as addressing QOZs. The applicant may also include tables, charts, graphs, or other 

relevant illustrations that may be useful in comprehending the manner in which the proposed 

project is anticipated to benefit a QOZ(s). Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the 

document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

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. Applicants will submit a description of their research 

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and evaluation independence and integrity by uploading the document as an attachment in 

JustGrants. For additional information regarding demonstrating research/evaluation independence 

and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) 

As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications 

that address specific challenges that rural communities face. Each applicant proposing to 

receive priority consideration under the rural priority must provide a sufficient narrative to 

include what makes the geographic service area rural (using U.S. Census or other appropriate 

government data), how isolated the area is from needed services, and how it will address 

specific challenges in rural communities. Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the 

document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if 

applicable) 

As mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications 

that demonstrate that the individuals who will benefit from the requested grant reside in highpoverty areas or persistent-poverty counties as defined above. Each applicant proposing to 

receive consideration under the High-Poverty Areas or Persistent Poverty Counties priority 

must provide a sufficient narrative explanation to identify each specific High-Poverty Area (by 

census tract number(s)) and/or each specific Persistent-Poverty County where individuals are 

intended to benefit from the requested grant and how the requested grant will address specific 

challenges in each such identified area and/or county. Applicants will submit the narrative by 

uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants. 

Disclosures and Assurances 

Applicants will complete the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Applicants will complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. See the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide for additional information. 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

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

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

See the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 

Applicants will review and accept the DOJ Certified Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, 

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Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. See OJP 

Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 

applicable) 

If applicable, applicants will submit as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is a recipient 

that has received a DOJ High Risk designation based on a documented history of 

unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control 

deficiencies, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is 

otherwise not responsible. 

How to Apply 

Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants 

/register.html. 

Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.g 

ov. 

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

Guide. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL will be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 

25, 2021. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due 

date to allow time for the applicant to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from 

Grants.gov and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a rejection 

notification. 

The full application will be submitted in JustGrants by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 8, 2021. 

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

application deadline. 

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

a. Scored Review Criteria

Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers. 

Applications will be evaluated on how the proposed project/program addresses the following 

criteria: 

1. Statement of the Problem (understanding of the problem, (15%)

Demonstrated understanding of the problem. 

Demonstrated importance of research questions, goals and objectives, including 

alignment with the aims of the solicitation. 

Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research. 

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

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Feasibility of proposed project. 

Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach to addressing the 

stated aim(s) of the proposed project. 

Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design and feasibility of 

proposed actions to minimize and/or mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

3. Capabilities and Competencies (capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and 

experience of the applicant organization and proposed project staff) (20%) 

Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (that is, the principal 

investigator, any and all co-principal investigators, and all other individuals (and 

organizations) identified in the application (regardless of “investigator” status) 

who will be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the proposed project). 

Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to implement the proposed 

strategies and manage the effort. 

Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff 

(including the applicant organization) and the scope and strategies of the 

proposed project. 

4. Potential Impact (15%) 

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 

information available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal justice 

practitioners or policymakers. 

5. Budget (0%) 

In addition, peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional 

items in the context of scientific and technical merit. 

Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities. 

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

Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

b. Additional Review Criteria 

Other important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities (specifi 

cally including, but not limited to, those mentioned above relating to addressing specific 

challenges that rural communities face, high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties, 

demonstrable potential enhancement to public safety in one or more federally designated 

Qualified Opportunity Zones), available funding, past performance, and the extent to which 

the Budget  Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form) accurately explain project 

costs that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and 

applicable federal cost principles. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Review Process 

Applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements, will be 

evaluated for technical merit by a peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review 

policy and procedures using the stated review criteria above. 

OJP screens applications to ensure they meet the basic minimum requirements prior to 

conducting peer review. Although specific requirements may vary, the following are common 

requirements applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs: 

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

The application must request funding within programmatic funding constraints (if 

applicable). 

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

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

requirements. 

The application, if submitted by an applicant that is a DOJ High Risk Grantee, or is 

designated “high risk” by a federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ, must not have 

been determined by the NIJ Director to pose a substantial risk of program 

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

addressing required corrective actions necessary for removal of the DOJ High Risk 

Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) designation, 2) the nature and severity of the issues 

leading to or accompanying the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) 

designation, and/or 3) the applicant’s expected ability to manage grant funds and 

achieve grant goals and objectives. 

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

reviews information related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant. Among other things 

to help assess whether an applicant that has one or more prior federal awards has a 

satisfactory record with respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks 

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

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

must review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public 

segment of the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the 

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS). 

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant may review and comment on any information about 

itself that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP 

will consider any such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in 

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

All final award decisions will be made by Director of the National Institute of Justice, who may 

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 

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

instructions. 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJPapproved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all applicable 

requirements of federal statutes and regulations (including applicable requirements referred to in the 

assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance). 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
For additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and 

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

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 

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

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

information technology security. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in Program Description, any recipient of an award 

under this solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data. 

Required reports. Recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, quarterly, semiannual progress reports, final financial and progress reports, final research reports, and, if 

applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or 

specific award conditions. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific postaward reporting requirements, including performance measures data. 

Progress Reporting Frequency 

semi-annual 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For questions directed to the Federal Awarding Agency, see NCJRS contact information on 

page 2. 

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

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 Freedom of Information and 

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

Provide Feedback to OJP 

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

Performance Measures 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct research in social and 

behavioral sciences having 

clear implications for criminal 

justice policy and practice in 

the United States. 

Conduct research in science, 

technology, engineering, 

and/or mathematics having 

clear implications for criminal 

or juvenile justice policy and 

practice in the United States. 

1. Relevance to the needs of the field as 

measured by whether the project’s 

substantive scope did not deviate from the 

funded project or any subsequent agencyapproved modifications to the scope. 

2. Quality of the research as demonstrated by 

the scholarly products that result in whole or 

in part from work funded under the NIJ 

award, such as published, peer-reviewed, 

scientific journal articles, and/or (as 

appropriate for the funded project) law review 

journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in 

the academic press, technological prototypes, 

patented inventions, or similar scientific 

products. 

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. 

1. Quarterly financial reports, semiannual and final progress reports, 

and products of the work performed 

under the NIJ award (including, at 

minimum, a final research report). If 

applicable, an annual audit report. 

2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly 

products that resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded under the NIJ 

award. 

3. If applicable, each data set that 

resulted in whole or in part from work 

funded under the NIJ award. 

Application Checklist 

Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives, Fiscal Year 2021 

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. 

What an Applicant Must Do: 

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov: 

Acquire a DUNS Number 

Acquire or renew registration with SAM 

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

To Register with Grants.gov: 

Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password  (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC  (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

To Find Funding Opportunity: 

Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov 

Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see 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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting available at oj 

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

Application Resource Guide) 

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

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

Cooperative Agreements - FY 2021 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Scope Requirement: 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of $5 million. 

Eligibility Requirement: 

State governments 

Special district governments 

City or township governments 

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 

County governments 

Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal 

governments) 

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher 

education 

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

higher education 

Private institutions of higher education 

For profit organizations other than small businesses 

Independent school districts 

Small businesses 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, 

the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virginia 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.) 

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

After SF-424 and SF-LLL Submission in Grants.gov, Receive Grants.gov Email Notifications That: 

Submission has been received in Grants.gov 

Submission has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors  (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

If No Grants.gov Receipt, and Validation or Error Notifications are Received: 

Contact the NCJRS Response Center regarding technical difficulties 

Application Resource Guide) 

(see OJP Grant 

Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 

Complete Application in JustGrants 

Content of Application Submission: 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
                                             

    

    

    

The following items are critical application elements required to pass Basic Minimum Requirements review. An 

application that OJP determines does not include the application elements that must be included in the application 

submission in order for the application to meet the basic minimum requirements, will neither proceed to peer review, nor 

receive further consideration. 

Program Narrative  (see page 14) 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form)  (see page 18) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel  (see page 18) 

Content of Application Submission 

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

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

Proposal Abstract 

Program Narrative 

Budget and Associated Documentation

 Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (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 OJ 

P Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Documentation of rural challenges (if applicable)

 Documentation of high-poverty areas or persistent poverty counties (if applicable)

 Documentation of enhanced public safety in federally designated Qualified Opportunity 

Zones (if applicable) 

Disclosures and Assurances 

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

 Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (Pending Applications)  (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide)

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

 DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide)

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

Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Submit Application in JustGrants: 

Application has been successfully submitted in JustGrants 

If No JustGrants Application Submission, Validation, or Error Notifications are Received: 

Contact JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833–872–5175 regarding technical difficulties 

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O-NIJ-2021-40002 
Endnotes 

[1] See United States Sentencing Commission (2019). Recidivism Among Federal Violent Offenders. Washington, 

DC: USSC. Alper, M. and Durose, M. (2018). Special Report: 2018 Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year FollowUp (2005-14), Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. 

[2] Alper, M. and Durose, M. (2018). Special Report: 2018 Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year Follow-Up 

(2005-14), Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. 

[3] Mills, J. (2017). “Violence Risk Assessment: A Brief Review, Current Issues, and Future Directions.” Canadian 

Psychology 58:40-49. 

[4] Lipsey, M. (2018). Rehabilitation programs for Adult Offenders: A Meta-Analysis in Support of Guidelines for 

Effective Practice. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. 

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