Notices regarding the solicitation “Research and Evaluation of

Services for Victims of Crime, Fiscal Year 2021” 

April 5, 2021: NIJ has extended the Applications JustGrants deadline to April 8, 2021, 

11:59 pm ET.

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 11, 2021: The anticipated total amount to be awarded under solicitation has 

been reduced from $4 million to $3 million. The anticipated number of awards has 

been reduced from six to five. 

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

Grants.gov Deadline: March 16, 2021 11:59 PM

Application JustGrants Deadline: March 30, 2021 11:59 PM

January 15, 2021: The bold text below has been added under “Clarifications” on page 10. 

“The recent median NIJ grant award amount is approximately $600,000. 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.” 

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 of Services for Victims of Crime, Fiscal 

Year 2021 

Assistance Listing Number # 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: 

Solicitation Release Date: 

Version: 

Grants.gov Deadline: 

Application JustGrants Deadline: 

16.560 

O-NIJ-2021-40005

December 17, 2020 2:30 PM

5

March 16, 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), in collaboration with the Office of Victims of Crime, is seeking applications for 

funding: 1) research and evaluation of State crime victim compensation programs; 2) research 

on the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of services to victims of crime; and 3) evaluation of 

programs that provide services for victims of crime. 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 

Page 1 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
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.) 

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 

Agency Contact Description 

Name 

National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center 

Title 

Technical POC 

Phone 

800-851-3420

Email 

grants@ncjrs.gov 

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 

Page 2 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
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 JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or at 

833-872-5175. 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. 

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 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
Contents 

Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

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

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

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

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

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

OJP Policy Priority Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Federal Award Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

Awards, Amounts and Durations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

Availability of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

Budget Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

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

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

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

Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . .11 

Period of Performance Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Eligibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Content of Application Submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 

Are you going to require the applicant to submit the web-based budget 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of 

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

Information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Proposal Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Proposal Narrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

Budget and Associated Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

detailed form? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) . . . . . . . . . .15 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

high-risk status) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

Additional Application Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Timeline Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Letters of Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Page 4 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement . . . . . . .16 

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

Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in Qualified Opportunity Zones 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 

Bibliography/reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps . . . .16 

List of Individuals in the Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Human Subjects Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Privacy Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

(if applicable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

Data Archiving Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Project Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Disclosures and Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

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

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

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

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

How to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

Submission Dates and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 

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

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

Review Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

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

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

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

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements .22 

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

Research and Evaluation of Services for Victims of Crime Fiscal Year 2021 .24 

Page 5 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
Program Description 

Overview 

In collaboration with the Office of Victims of Crime, NIJ is seeking applications in three main 

areas under this solicitation: 1) research and evaluation of State crime victim compensation 

programs; 2) research on the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of services to victims of 

crime; and 3) evaluation of programs that provide services for victims of crime. Applicants 

should submit proposals that address one of the three topics. 

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 

Any awards under this solicitation would be made under statutory authority provided by 

a full-year appropriations act for FY 2021. As of the writing of this solicitation, the 

Department of Justice is operating under a short-term "Continuing Resolution;" no fullyear appropriation for the Department has been enacted for FY 2021. 

Specific Information 

NIJ is seeking applications in three main areas under this solicitation: 1) research and 

evaluation of State crime victim compensation programs; 2) research on the impact of 

COVID-19 on the delivery of services to victims of crime; and 3) evaluation of programs that 

provide services for victims of crime. Applicants should submit proposals that address one of 

the three topics. 

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies are a powerful, much-needed tool for building 

scientific evidence about what works. Therefore, NIJ will give studies employing RCT methods 

to assess the effectiveness of programs and practices higher priority consideration. RCT 

applications with strong designs measuring outcomes of self-evident policy importance are 

strongly encouraged. A strong RCT design should include measures to ensure low sample 

attrition, sufficient sample size, close adherence to random assignment, valid outcome 

measures, and statistical analyses. Applicants may want to consider studies using privacyprotected administrative data collected by others, or implement an intervention into a program 

already funded, as this approach may lower overall study costs. 

For applications proposing outcome or impact evaluations, NIJ will only fund projects that 

evaluate well-developed programs. Applications should include, and append, supplementary 

materials as necessary to describe the level of program development. Supplemental materials 

may include copies or links to logic models, program guides and materials, policies and 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
          

procedures, manuals, prior evaluation findings, program staffing, and funding information. 

Note: Funding under this solicitation may only be used to cover costs associated with the 

evaluation, but may include reasonable costs incurred by program personnel to support 

activities directly and exclusively required for the execution of the evaluation (e.g., manual 

extraction of administrative records). 

Research and Evaluation of Crime Victim Compensation Programs 

In collaboration with OVC, NIJ seeks proposals for research and evaluation projects 

examining the effectiveness of State crime victim compensation programs. The body of 

existing research on victim compensation is largely dated. New research is needed to provide 

guidance to both practitioners and most especially to policy makers. Questions of interest 

include but are not limited to program utilization and comprehensiveness (to include 

compensation for new and emerging crime types) and potential barriers to the same, such as, 

the impact of the program funding model. Cross-jurisdictional comparisons are encouraged to 

help identify best practices. 

Evaluation of Programs that Provide Services for Victims of Crime 

NIJ seeks proposals for evaluations of programs that deliver services to victims of crime. NIJ 

is interested in evaluations of different types of victim service programming including, but not 

limited to, programs embedded in hospitals/trauma centers, umbrella/network organizations, 

one-stop victim services programs, and/or programs embedded in criminal justice agencies. 

Applicants are expected to use rigorous research methods in evaluating service delivery 

programs with preference given to those that employ, or are clearly progressing towards 

employing experimental research designs. NIJ is seeking both applications for formative 

evaluations with evaluability assessments and outcome/impact evaluations as described 

below. 

1. NIJ recognizes that many victim service programs may not be ready to support rigorous

outcome evaluations; as such, a phased approach may be appropriate. Applicants should

plan to conduct a formative evaluation, as well as an evaluability assessment to determine

whether an outcome evaluation of the program or model is possible.

Under a phased approach, an applicant may initially propose a range of formative and/or 

process evaluation activities such as: 

Descriptive research of victim service program(s) leading to the development of a logic 

model(s). 

Evaluability and research capacity assessments of programs to be studied, including 

but not limited to access to data and samples, consent procedures, and agency 

burdens. 

Development of an implementation guide for specific program(s). 

Development of instruments or measures to test the fidelity of program(s). 

Description of the process used to design and implement the program. 

Description of program operations, including any changes in the program. 

Identification and description of intervening events that may have affected 

implementation and outcomes. 

Structured observations, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and 

logs. 

Award recipients, if successful, may be encouraged or invited to submit a subsequent 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
application for funding of further evaluation research to build upon its findings from earlier 

phases. Subsequent phases may include outcome and impact evaluations of specified 

program(s) or model(s). Future evaluation opportunities out of the phased approach may also 

include support for replication studies of programs or models. The specifics of the additional 

phases will be dependent on the findings of the formative evaluation and evaluability 

assessment, as well as other factors, including, but not limited to, the availability of 

appropriations. 

2. Previous NIJ grant recipients who received funding in FY 2018 or FY 2019 to conduct

phased evaluative projects may submit applications for the next phase of their evaluations.

Applications should state clearly how they will build upon findings from the initial project and

how the proposed project will accomplish — or make significant strides towards

accomplishing — a rigorous outcome evaluation of the victim service program.

3. In cases where programs have achieved a suitable level of development, NIJ encourages

applicants to propose rigorous outcome or impact evaluations, using randomized evaluation 

designs where it is possible and appropriate to do so. If that is not possible or appropriate, 

applicants should propose the most rigorous and appropriate design to produce high-quality 

causal evidence and provide justification for not proposing a more rigorous design. 

Research on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Delivery of Services to Victims of Crime 

NIJ seeks proposals for research projects to examine the delivery of services to victims of 

crime before, during, and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this 

research is to examine why, where, when, and in what ways services to crime victims were 

influenced by the major societal changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and measures 

taken to prevent the spread of the disease (e.g., social distancing, business and school 

closures, legislative mandates). Studies funded under this priority will build knowledge about 

the forces that influence access to and delivery of crime victim services, practical and ethical 

considerations about remote service delivery, as well as potential innovative practices that 

may have applicability after the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants are encouraged to propose 

studies that take into account numerous relevant local factors and examine similar types of 

services for crime victims in multiple localities for comparative purposes. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

The goals of the victims of crime program of research are to improve knowledge and practice 

related to crime victims and crime victim services, and to fill critical research gaps. 

Objectives 

This solicitation has three objectives: 

1. Developing knowledge concerning the effectiveness of State crime victim compensation

programs.

2. Developing knowledge concerning the effectiveness of programs that deliver services to

victims of crime.

3. Developing knowledge concerning the ways in which services to crime victims were

influenced by the major societal changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and

measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

Deliverables 

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

submit a final research report. Additional information on the final research report requirement 

for the solicitation is posted on NIJ’s webpage. 

Required Data Sets and Associated Files and Documentation. Any recipient of an award 

under this solicitation will be expected to submit to the National Archive of Criminal Justice 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
Data (NACJD) all data sets that result in whole or in part from the work funded by the award, 

along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future efforts by others to 

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

secondary analysis. 

In addition to these deliverables (and the required reports and data on performance 

measures), NIJ expects scholarly products to result from each award under this solicitation, 

taking the form of one or more published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles, and/or (if 

appropriate) law review journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, 

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

there will be an equal effort to make the research findings accessible to practitioner and 

policymaker audiences. 

The Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that 

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

Submission Information. 

OJP Policy 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 high-poverty 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. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
Federal Award Information 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

5

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

$600,000.00

Period of Performance Start Date 

1/1/22 12:00 AM 

Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

24 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

$3,000,000.00

Clarifications 

Maximum dollar amount for each award: The recent median NIJ grant award amount is 

approximately $600,000. 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.

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. 

Funding Instrument Type 

Grant 

Award Type 

Initial 

Is Match Required 

No 

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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
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 

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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
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 24-month period of 

performance.  All applications are not to exceed a 24-month 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. 

Content of Application Submission 

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 Executive 

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

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

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 

Information) 

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

SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. 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. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
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[1]: 

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 

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 program-specific information noted 

in the solicitation. Applicants should describe the research methodology and analysis plan in 

Page 13 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005 
           

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 the 

goals and objectives of the project.

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

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). 

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 under “Goals, Objectives, 

and Deliverables” on page 8. 

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 23. 

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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
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 

Are you going to require the applicant to submit the web-based 

budget detailed form? 

Yes 

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. 

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 

Page 15 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005 
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. 

Timeline Form 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

Letters of Support 

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations collaborating 

in the project, such as law enforcement and correctional agencies (if applicable). 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

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

applicant must demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate 

safeguards, before it may receive award funds. Applicants will submit a description of their research 

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. 

Bibliography/reference 

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

Narrative. 

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

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/charts/graphs, or maps pertaining to the 

proposed project that are supplemental to such items included in the main body of the 

narrative. 

List of Individuals in the Application 

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

the part of prospective reviewers of the application), provide a complete list of the individuals 

named or otherwise identified anywhere in the application (including in the budget or in any 

other attachment) who will or may work (or advise or consult) on the proposed research, 

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

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

Human Subjects Protection 

Human Subjects Protection paperwork (documentation and forms related to Institutional 

Review Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-and-privacyPage 16 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005 
protection. Note: Final IRB approval is not required at the time an application is submitted. 

Privacy Certificate 

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). 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

Applicants proposing to use incentives or stipends payments as part of their research project 

design, must submit an incentive or stipend approval request, as a separate document, 

according to the requirements set forth at https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/participant-support-costsand-incentives-social-scienceresearch. 

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. 

Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in 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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
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. 

Data Archiving Plan 

Data archiving plan. Applicants should anticipate that NIJ will require, through special award 

conditions, that data sets resulting in whole or in part from projects funded under this 

solicitation be submitted for archiving with the NACJD. See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/dataarchiving-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 al 

l 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. 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

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

arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the consortium 

organization(s). 

Project Management Plan 

The project management plan. 

Disclosures and Assurances 

Applicants will complete the following disclosures and assurances. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
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, 

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 

16, 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. 

Page 19 of 26 

O-NIJ-2021-40005
The full application will be submitted in JustGrantsby 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%). Feasibility of

proposed project 

Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach to addressing the 

stated aim(s) of the proposed project. 

Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design and feasibility of 

proposed actions to minimize and/or mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

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

of the applicant organization and proposed project staff) (15%)

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

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

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

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

Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to implement the proposed 

strategies and manage the effort. 

Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff 

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

proposed project. 

4. Potential Impact (20%)

Potential for a significant scientific or technical advance(s) that will improve 

criminal/juvenile justice in the United States. 

Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated criminal/juvenile 

justice problem. 

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

criminal/juvenile justice problem. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
Strength and feasibility of the proposed dissemination plan to produce scholarly 

products (such as published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles, book 

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

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

summary information available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal 

justice practitioners or policymakers. 

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. 

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. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
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). 

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

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

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 

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

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

information technology security. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting 

Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in the Program Description section, 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 post-award 

reporting requirements, including performance measures data. 

Progress Reporting Frequency 

semi-annual 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
For questions directed to the Federal Awarding Agency, see NCJRS contact information on 

page 2. 

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

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 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct research in social 1. Relevance to the needs of the field as 1. Quarterly financial reports, 

and behavioral sciences measured by whether the project’s semi-annual and final progress 

having clear implications for substantive scope did not deviate from reports, and products of the 

criminal justice policy and the funded project or any subsequent work performed under the NIJ 

practice in the United States. agency-approved modifications to the 

scope. 

2. Quality of the research as 

demonstrated by the scholarly products 

that result in whole or in part from work 

funded under the NIJ award, such as 

published, 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. 

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. 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
Application Checklist 

Research and Evaluation of Services for Victims of Crime 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  (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire or renew registration with SAM  (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 

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  $3 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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005
     

                                         

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.) 

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

management fee. 

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  (see OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide) 

Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 

Complete Application in JustGrants 

Content of Application Submission: 

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 13) 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative  (see page 15) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel  (see page 15) 

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 

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O-NIJ-2021-40005 
    

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)

 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-2021-40005