OMB No. 1121-0329 

Approval Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

Research to Reduce Trauma for Child Pornography Victims, Fiscal Year 2021 

Assistance Listing Number #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2021-97002 

Solicitation Release Date: April 26, 2021 3:15 PM 

Version:  1 

Grants.gov Deadline:  June 03, 2021 11:59 PM 

Application JustGrants Deadline: June 10, 2021 11:59 PM 

Overview 

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

funding from accredited research universities to carry out a single research project on reducing trauma for child pornography 

victims that will produce a report with concrete recommendations for improving and synchronizing law enforcement best 

practices for ensuring child victims’ well-being during and after the investigation into the crime. The produced report will address 

issues related to referrals, access, and utilization of services for child victims, and provide recommendations for reducing trauma 

and improving child victim outcomes. 

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: 

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

Other 

Foreign colleges and universities are not eligible to apply. 

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, as of October 28, 2020, 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 allocated FY 2021 DOJ discretionary grant 

funding, as either a recipient or a subrecipient.  For detailed information on this new certification requirement, please visit 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO. 

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. 

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 JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or at 833-872-5175. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 a.m. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97002 
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 National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center 

(Response Center) at grants@ncjrs.gov 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: toll-free at 1-800-851-3420; via 

TTY at 301-240-6310 (hearing impaired only) or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. The Response Center hours of operation are 10 

a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time 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 JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

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

OJP encourages applicants to review, the “How to Apply" section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97002 
Contents 

Contact Information 1 

Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 6 

Federal Award Information 6 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 6 

Continuation Funding Intent 7 

Availability of Funds 7 

Types of Awards 7 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 7 

Budget Information 7 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 7 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 7 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 7 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 8 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 8 

Eligibility Information 8 

Application and Submission Information 8 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 8 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 8 

Proposal Abstract 8 

Proposal Narrative 8 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 10 

Budget and Associated Documentation 10 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 10 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 10 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 10 

Additional Application Components 10 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 10 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 10 

Timeline Form 10 

Letters of Support 10 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 11 

Bibliography/reference 11 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 11 

List of Individuals in the Application 11 

Human Subjects Protection 11 

Privacy Certificate 11 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 11 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 11 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 11 

Data Archiving Plan 11 

Disclosures and Assurances 12 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 12 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 12 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 12 

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

Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 12 

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O-NIJ-2021-97002 
Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 12 

How to Apply 12 

Submission Dates and Time 12 

Application Review Information 12 

Review Criteria 12 

Review Process 13 

Federal Award Administration Information 14 

Federal Award Notices 14 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 14 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 14 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 14 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 14 

Other Information 14 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 14 

Provide Feedback to OJP 14 

Performance Measures 14 

Application Checklist 15 

17 

Endnotes 17 

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O-NIJ-2021-97002 
Program Description 

Overview 

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime 

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

With this solicitation, NIJ requests proposals from accredited research universities for rigorous scientific research to identify best 

practices to reduce the trauma of children affected by child pornography investigations. 

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 an 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); Department of Justice 

Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-93). 

Specific Information 

NIJ seeks proposals for funding from accredited research universities to carry out a single research project on reducing trauma 

for child pornography victims that will produce a report with concrete recommendations for improving and synchronizing law 

enforcement best practices for ensuring child victims’ well-being during and after the investigation into the crime. The produced 

report will address issues related to referrals, access, and utilization of services for child victims, and provide recommendations 

for reducing trauma and improving child victim outcomes. 

Child pornography, also known as child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), is a form of child sexual exploitation defined by 

federal law as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (persons less than 18 years old). Research has 

demonstrated an increase in arrests for cases involving possession, distribution or production of CSEM.[1] Law enforcement 

personnel who respond to these crimes often receive specialized training in investigating CSEM cases, but research suggests 

that they less frequently receive specialized training on working with CSEM victims.[2] Though some best practices have been 

adopted by law enforcement agencies who investigate these crimes, often referrals, access, and utilization of services for CSEM 

victims remains sporadic and inconsistent. 

The Department of Justice and other federal agencies support a wide range of activities to prevent and interdict crimes involving 

child exploitation, including CSEM.[3] [4] Previous studies and reports have provided recommendations and guidance on 

improving responses to victims of CSEM.[5] [6] [7] [8] NIJ seeks proposals for a project that will improve and expand on 

previous work. 

NIJ seeks proposals for a single research project with multiple components to address the following interrelated research 

questions: 

What are the common traumatic consequences of being a victim of CSEM? How do these consequences vary by age of 

victim, form and duration of victimization, relationship to the perpetrator(s), and case outcomes? To what extent are CSEM 

victims likely to have been exposed to multiple traumatic events (i.e., complex trauma, polyvictimization)? 

What are the common practices currently in use by law enforcement and their partners to assess and respond to the 

traumatic experiences of child victims, and to mitigate the potential for further harm to child victims from the initial 

disclosure of the crime, the investigation, or other aspects of the criminal justice system? To what extent are these 

practices responsive to the traumatic experiences and service needs of CSEM victims? 

To what degree are appropriate services and effective programs available for CSEM victims, and what factors beyond 

availability influence the utilization of services? 

What specific and practical steps should law enforcement and criminal justice agencies take to improve victim-centered 

and trauma-informed responses to CSEM victims? 

NIJ is particularly interested in receiving rigorous, mixed-method research proposals that move beyond convenience sampling, 

and reliance on single data collection methods. In describing proposed research methods, applicants should clearly describe 

plans for maximizing the scientific rigor of quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis strategies. Applicants 

should describe the strengths and limitations of the proposed project design with detailed discussion of issues related to 

generalizability and validity. 

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In addition to a final research report and scholarly products (see Deliverables below), NIJ expects applicants to produce one or 

more tailored products for appropriate audiences in law enforcement and criminal justice, and include a dissemination plan that 

has a high probability of reaching and influencing such audiences. 

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 give special 

consideration in award decisions to applications proposing such researchers as principal investigators (PIs) in certain 

circumstances. 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. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Goals 

The primary goal of this solicitation is to identify law enforcement best practices to reduce the trauma of children affected by 

CSEM investigations. 

Objectives 

The objectives of this solicitation are to: 

Carry out rigorous scientific research to answer critical questions needed to identify the steps law enforcement should take 

to improve outcomes for child victims; and 

Produce products to disseminate findings and recommendations related to those steps directly to policy makers, law 

enforcement and other relevant practitioners. 

Deliverables 

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

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

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

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

funded by the award, along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future efforts by others to reproduce the 

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

Practitioner Oriented Products. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected to produce products to 

disseminate research findings and recommendations to practitioner and policymaker audiences. Among others these may take 

the form of training manuals, policy briefs, conferences, and webinars. 

In addition to these deliverables, NIJ expects scholarly products to result from any 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. 

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. 

Federal Award Information 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

$1,500,000.00 

Period of Performance Start Date 

1/1/22 12:00 AM 

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1 
60 

Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

$1,500,000.00 

Additional Information 

Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that match the research activities proposed. Period of performance 

duration: To be determined by the period of performance of awarded application. A successful applicant will be 

expected to complete the work proposed within a five-year period of performance. 

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 award funded work, when making continuation award decisions. 

Availability of Funds 

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

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

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

any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other 

person. 

Types of Awards 

NIJ expects to make awards under this solicitation as grants. 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.) 

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. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97002 
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. 

Eligibility Information 

For additional eligibility information, see the title page. 

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see “Content of Application Submission” in Application and Submission 

Information. 

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: 

Proposal Narrative, 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form), and 

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. 

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

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

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

completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting the response that the “Program is not 

covered by E.O. 12372.”) 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 

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

Grants.gov. 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 proposal 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 proposal narrative fails to comply with these length-related 

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 proposal narrative: 

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

The title page should include: 

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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 as a “new investigator”. 

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

c. Main Body 

1. Statement of the Problem. 

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

data, research, and knowledge, including those for particular justice sectors, for certain populations, and to answer 

questions relevant to current policy and practice needs and public interests. It is not uncommon for multiple problems to 

exist simultaneously (for example, there may be a criminal justice problem affecting public safety, a current technical 

challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well as a scientific/technology gap between the current state of the 

art and a desired solution) and applicants should discuss each of these clearly and justify the importance of the separate 

issues. As part of this discussion, applicants should present a review of previous literature and discuss previous research 

related to these problems. 

2. Project Design and Implementation. 

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

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

the program-specific information noted in the solicitation. Applicants should describe the research methodology and 

analysis plan in detail and demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the data they will collect. Applicants should consider 

the rigor and soundness of the methodology and analytical and technical approaches for the proposed research and 

address the feasibility of the proposed project and potential challenges or problems in carrying out the activities. 

3. Potential Impact. 

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

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

dissemination plan to produce scholarly products and to make information available to broader interested audiences, such 

as criminal justice practitioners or policymakers. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies. 

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

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

under this award, highlighting any previous experience implementing projects of similar scope, design, and magnitude. 

Applicants should address: 

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

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

Experience producing and disseminating meaningful deliverables. 

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

project. 

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

The project management plan. 

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

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

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

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

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. 

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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 6. 

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 14. 

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 

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 

Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

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. 

Timeline Form 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

Letters of Support 

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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-privacy-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-costs-and-incentives-social-scienceresearch. 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 

Documentation of “new investigator” status, if applicable. 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

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

consortium organization(s). 

Data Archiving Plan 

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

from projects funded under this solicitation be submitted for archiving with the NACJD. See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/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 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 

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performance. 

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. 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

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

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 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.gov. 

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 June 3, 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 June 10, 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, (10%) 

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 

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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 (25%) 

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, peerreviewed, scientific journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, technological prototypes, patented 

inventions, databases, standards or similar scientific products) as well as make summary information available to broader 

interested audiences, such as criminal justice practitioners or policymakers. 

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 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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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 OJP-approved 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, semi-annual 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. 

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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Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides 

Conduct research in social 

and behavioral sciences 

having clear implications for 

juvenile and criminal 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 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. 

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 to Reduce Trauma for Child Pornography Victims, 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, reporting available at 

ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

Review the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2021 

Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Scope Requirement: 

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The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of $1,500,000. 

Eligibility Requirement: 

Private institutions of higher education 

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 

Foreign colleges and universities are not eligible to apply. 

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. 

Proposal narrative, (see page 8) 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative, and (see page 10) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel. (see page 10) 

~~~ 

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 

Proposal 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) [insert if applicable] (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

Disclosures and Assurances 

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

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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 

Endnotes 

[1] Trends in law enforcement responses to online child sexual exploitation crimes: The Third National Juvenile Online 

Victimization Study (NJOV-3) Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH. 

https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1044&context=ccrc 

[2] https://victimsofcrime.org/doc/Policy/improving-response-to-vcp_executive-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=2?sfvrsn=2 

[3] https://www.justice.gov/psc/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf 

[4] https://www.justice.gov/psc/file/842411/download 

[5] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0886260516640545 

[6] http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/Parent%20Bulletin%20June%202017.pdf 

[7] https://victimsofcrime.org/doc/Policy/improving-response-to-vcp_executive-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=2?sfvrsn=2 

[8] Be the solution. Helping victims of child sexual abuse material: A guide for law enforcement. National Center for Missing & 

Exploited Children. Alexandria, VA. https://go.missingkids.org/l/808593/2020-11-24/21bhf2 

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