U.S. Department of Justice OMB No. 1121-0329 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

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

Justice (NIJ) is seeking applications for funding under the Forensic Science Training 

Development and Delivery Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by 

supporting the development and delivery of training to State and local forensic science 

practitioners and other relevant State and local criminal justice practitioners in the area of 

forensic science. 

Solicitation: 

Forensic Science Training Development and 

Delivery Program 

Eligibility 

(See eligibility, page 3.) 

Deadline 

Registration with OJP’s Grant Management System (GMS) is required prior to application 

submission. (See “How to Apply,” page 8.) 

All applications are due by 11:45 p.m. eastern time on May 17, 2010. 

(See “Deadlines: Registration and Application,” page 3.) 

Contact Information 

For technical assistance with submitting the application, contact the Grants Management 

System Support Hotline at 1–888–549–9901, option 3 or via e-mail to 

GMS.HelpDesk@usdoj.gov. 

Note: The GMS Support Hotline hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 

midnight eastern time, except for Federal holidays. 

For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation for general forensic science 

training proposals, contact Brigid O’Brien, Program Manager, at 202–305–1983 or by e-mail to 

brigid.obrien@usdoj.gov . For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation for 

forensic digital evidence training proposals, contact Martin Novak, Program Manager, at 202–

616–0630 or by e-mail to martin.novak@usdoj.gov. 

SL# 000907 
CONTENTS 

Overview ........................................................................................................................... 3

Deadlines: Registration and Application ........................................................................... 3 

Eligibility ............................................................................................................................ 3 

Specific Information .......................................................................................................... 4 

Performance Measures ..................................................................................................... 8 

How to Apply ..................................................................................................................... 8 

What an Application Must Include ................................................................................... 10 

Standard Form 424 ............................................................................................. 10 

Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 11 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative ................................................. 13 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) ...................................................... 14 

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for Performance Measures ..................... 14 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) ........................................................ 14 

Other Standard Forms ........................................................................................ 15 

Selection Criteria ............................................................................................................. 15 

Review Process .............................................................................................................. 16 

Additional Requirements ................................................................................................. 17 

Application Checklist ....................................................................................................... 19 

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Forensic Science Training Development and 

Delivery Program

CFDA No. 16.560 

Overview 

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of 

the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). 

NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the 

administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the 

knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for the development and delivery of forensic science 

training. The goal is to increase the number of no-cost educational opportunities for State and 

local practitioners in forensic science disciplines, as well as to provide forensic science training 

to other relevant State and local criminal justice partners. This solicitation also seeks proposals 

for the development and delivery of forensic digital evidence training to State and local law 

enforcement. 

Authorizing Legislation: Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-

117). 

Deadlines: Registration and Application 

Registration is required prior to submission. The deadline to register in GMS is 11:45 p.m. 

eastern time on May 17, 2010, and the deadline for applying for funding under this 

announcement is 11:45 p.m. eastern time on May 17, 2010. Please see the “How to Apply” 

section, page 8, for more details. 

Eligibility 

In general, NIJ is authorized to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 

agreements with, States (including territories), local governments (including federallyrecognized Indian tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior and 

published in the Federal Register), nonprofit and profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit 

and profit organizations), institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher 

education), and certain qualified individuals. Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and 

foreign institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply. 

Federal agencies with the necessary legal authority are eligible to apply for funding under this 

solicitation. If an award is made to a Federal agency, it will be through an Interagency 

Agreement (IAA) with the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 

Department of Justice. 

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Specific Information—Forensic Science Training 

Development and Delivery Program

Both the DNA Initiative, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology, and the recent National 

Academy of Sciences report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United 

States: A Path Forward, emphasize the critical need to train forensic science practitioners and 

other criminal justice partners. This solicitation is intended to address this need by providing 

funding for the development and the delivery of training to State and local practitioners in the 

forensic sciences and in forensic digital evidence. 

I. Forensic Science Training 

NIJ is seeking applications to: a) develop and deliver new forensic science training curricula, or 

b) leverage existing forensic science training curricula to deliver content through multiple costeffective delivery mechanisms. Proposed curricula content must be in accordance with the 

appropriate Scientific Working Group (SWG), and/or discipline-specific national training 

guidelines or certification tests/competency exams, if applicable. Proposals may employ 

traditional classroom, hands-on laboratory-based, computer-based, Web-based, or other 

mechanisms for training delivery, depending on the objectives of the training program. Training 

must be provided at no charge to the participants; costs associated with travel and lodging for 

the participants must be included in the budget. 

Applicants should have demonstrated experience and success in the development and/or 

delivery of forensic-science training for forensic science practitioners and other criminal justice 

partners. Applicants that propose the delivery of training are expected to develop curricula, 

create an agenda, identify instructors/speakers, select training sites, provide logistical support, 

and execute each training event. Applicants also should have the ability to develop and execute 

forensic science trainings in collaboration with NIJ. 

Applicants should recognize that any learning management, learning content, content 

management systems, browser or computer-based training must be standards-based, meeting 

Section 508 accessibility requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794d, and 

the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information 

Technology (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR Part 1194). Systems also must support 

content interoperability specifications and standards, such as Sharable Content Object 

Reference Model (SCORM). Any procurement of learning management, learning content 

management, or content management systems used by applicants must be commercial-off-theshelf (COTS) or open-source software (OSS). Procurement of proprietary systems will not be 

funded under this program and functional customization of COTS products is discouraged. 

A. Development and Delivery of Forensic Science Training 

NIJ is seeking applications to develop and deliver new forensic science training curricula at 

no cost to State and local practitioners in forensic science disciplines and other State and 

local criminal justice partners. Proposed training should contain the following elements: 

1. Emphasis on scientific principles, precision, objectivity, critical thinking, careful 

observation and practice, repeatability, and uncertainty management. 

2. Topics that lay the foundation for entry into professional practice for new hires, such 

as standards of conduct, policy, legal and communication, if applicable. 

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3. Topics such as the history of the discipline, relevant literature, methodologies and 

validation studies, instrumentation, statistics, knowledge of related fields, and 

testimony, if applicable. 

4. Effective and/or innovative teaching methodologies. 

5. Applications should clearly state learning objectives and instructor qualifications. 

NIJ will consider proposals for the following priority content areas for new training 

development and delivery. NIJ may also consider proposals for areas outside of these 

priority content areas: 

• Statistics and probabilities courses related to forensics for forensic science professionals 

and officers of the courts 

• Trace evidence 

• Firearms 

• Forensic pathology 

• Forensic toxicology workshops 

• Forensic science courses for allied State and local professionals (e.g. law enforcement, 

judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and sexual assault forensic examiners). 

B. Delivery of Existing Forensic Science Training Curricula 

NIJ is seeking to fund the delivery of courses that leverage, through multiple cost-effective 

delivery mechanisms, existing forensic science training curricula or courses previously 

developed under a NIJ award. Applications must clearly demonstrate the successful 

execution of the previously delivered courses and describe measures of impact of these 

training programs within the forensic science community. Proposals should not include costs 

associated with further course development and the budget should reflect low administrative 

costs. 

NIJ will consider proposals for the following priority content areas for delivery of existing 

training curricula. NIJ may also consider proposals for areas outside of these priority content 

areas: 

• DNA 

• Medicolegal death investigation 

• Forensic microscopy 

• Trace evidence 

• Pattern evidence 

• Firearms and toolmarks 

• Forensic pathology fellowship training programs 

II. Forensic Digital Evidence Training for State and Local Law Enforcement 

NIJ will consider proposals to develop and deliver forensic digital evidence training curricula 

in the following priority content areas; however, NIJ may consider proposals for content 

outside these areas: 

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• Training to assist State and local law enforcement in the recovery and forensic 

examination of damaged hard drives.

State and local law enforcement are, at an increasing rate, encountering the failure of 

hard drives seized as digital evidence. Although the data on these on these drives is 

generally unaffected, it is inaccessible because the hard drive will not operate; this 

precludes recovery of the data or digital evidence. Hard drives that have been stored as 

evidence with archives of completed forensic examinations pending adjudication are 

also susceptible to failure. State and local law enforcement need training to overcome 

the obstacles presented by failed hard drives. 

• Training to assist State and local law enforcement in the forensic analysis of 

Macintosh computer systems.

Macintosh/Apple computers are becoming more common, gaining an increasingly larger 

computer market share. State and local law enforcement are seizing Macintosh/Apple 

computers and devices as digital evidence in investigations more frequently, but many 

are unfamiliar with these types of computers, the operating system and the directory 

structures, and, thus, are unprepared to acquire the data from these devices and 

conduct forensic examinations on them. State and local law enforcement need training 

to acquire and analyze data from Macintosh/Apple computer systems. 

• Training to assist State and local law enforcement in performing forensic analysis 

of seized digital media. 

State and local law enforcement need training in computer forensic analysis, including 

how and where to manually locate data on digital media storage devices, and how 

automated computer forensic tools locate, identify, and report information of evidentiary 

value. This training course should provide attendees with the skills, knowledge, and tools 

to: (1) locate and identify specific information in formats such as hexadecimal or binary 

within data sets, (2) carve information from the data set in a forensically sound manner, 

and (3) articulate the findings. 

• Development and delivery of a guide and corresponding training course in cell 

phone seizure for State and local law enforcement.

NIJ is seeking proposals to develop and deliver a course to teach State and local law 

enforcement forensic response teams and computer forensic examiners proper seizure 

techniques that maintain the evidentiary integrity of seized cell phones. 

Deliverables: For courses developed with NIJ funds, the final report must be accompanied by 

hard and electronic copies of all training materials. For electronic-based courses (browser, 

computer, and video-based training), this includes a master copy, all source codes, and 

supporting files and documentation. Note: DOJ will, among other rights, reserve a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and authorize 

others to use (in whole or in part, including in connection with derivative works), for Federal 

purposes, any work subject to copyright that is developed under an award (or subaward) under 

this solicitation. 

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Amount and length of awards: Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards 

made will depend on the availability of funds, the quality of the applications, and other pertinent 

factors. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any 

modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. Approximately 25 

percent of applications to NIJ's FY 2008 and FY 2009 Forensic Science Training Development 

and Delivery Program solicitations were funded. The average award was approximately 

$500,000. A single award rarely exceeds $1 million. 

Applicants should be aware that the total period for an award, including one that receives 

additional funding, ordinarily will not exceed 3 years. 

A grant made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 percent of the total cost of 

the project. See "Cofunding" under "What an Application Must Include." 

Please note: All applicants under this solicitation must comply with Department of Justice 

regulations on confidentiality and human subjects protection. See “Other Requirements for OJP 

Applications” at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

What will not be funded:

1. Requests by State and local law enforcement agencies to attend or receive forensic 

science training. 

2. Requests by Federal agencies to develop training for Federal employees. 

3. Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. An applicant’s budget 

and narrative must include a justification that any such items are necessary to develop or 

deliver the forensic science training. 

4. Proposals that fall within the scope of one of NIJ’s targeted solicitations. Applicants 

should review the current funding opportunities section of NIJ’s Web site to ensure that a 

proposal is not better suited for another open solicitation. The same proposal will not 

be considered under more than one solicitation. 

5. Proposals to conduct research or casework; please note that this solicitation seeks 

proposals only to support training development and/or delivery. 

6. Proposals that otherwise are not responsive to this solicitation. 

Budget Information 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver: With respect to 

any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, Federal funds may not be used 

to pay total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) to any employee of the award recipient at 

a rate that exceeds 110% of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal 

Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance 

Appraisal System for that year. (The 2010 salary table for SES employees is available at 

http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/indexSES.asp.) Note: A recipient may compensate an 

employee at a higher rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid 

with non-Federal funds. (Any such additional compensation will not be considered matching 

funds where match requirements apply.) 

The limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award may be waived on an individual 

basis at the discretion of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Office of Justice 

Programs. An applicant that wishes to request a waiver must include a detailed justification in 

the budget narrative of its application. Unless the applicant submits a waiver request and 

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justification with the application, the applicant should anticipate that OJP will request that the 

applicant adjust and resubmit its budget. 

The justification should include: the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the 

uniqueness of the service being provided, the individual’s specific knowledge of the program or 

project being undertaken with award funds, and a statement explaining that the individual’s 

salary is commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her 

qualifications and expertise, and for the work that is to be done. 

Performance Measures 

To assist in fulfilling the Department’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and 

Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must 

provide data that measure the results of their work. Additionally, applicants must discuss in their 

application their methods for collecting data for performance measures. Please refer to “What 

an Application Must Include,” page 10, for additional information on applicant responsibilities for 

collecting and reporting data. Applicants who receive funding under this solicitation are required 

to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so that OJP can calculate 

values for the “Performance Measures” column. Performance measures for this solicitation are:

Objective Performance Measures Data Grantee Provides 

To increase the 

number of no-cost 

training opportunities 

for State and local 

forensic science 

practitioners and 

State and local 

criminal justice 

partners. 

1. The number of State and local 

forensic science (and other State 

and local criminal justice) personnel 

who successfully complete the 

training courses developed and 

delivered under this solicitation. 

2. The percentage of State and local 

forensic science (and other State 

and local criminal justice) personnel 

participating in the training who felt 

the training was relevant to their 

needs. 

3. Quality of the delivered training 

courses as measured by students, 

subject matter experts, and possible 

evaluation by NIJ. 

4. Quality of management measured by 

successfully meeting significant 

interim project milestones, final 

deadlines, and costs that are within 

the approved limits. 

1. A description and dates of the relevant 

training provided to the forensic community 

and its effectiveness. 

2. The number of State and local forensic 

science (and other State and local criminal 

justice) personnel who successfully 

complete the developed/delivered training. 

3. The number of State and local participants 

who felt the training was relevant to their 

needs. 

4. Quarterly financial reports, semi-annual 

progress reports, and a final progress 

report. 

5. For courses developed with NIJ funds, the 

final report must be accompanied by hard 

and electronic copies of all training 

materials. For electronic-based courses 

(browser, computer, and video-based 

training), this includes a master copy, all 

source codes, and supporting files and 

documentation. 

How to Apply 

Applications will be submitted through OJP’s Grants Management System (GMS). GMS is a 

Web-based, data-driven computer application that provides cradle to grave support for the 

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application, award and management of grants at OJP. Applicants should begin the process 

immediately to meet the GMS registration deadline, especially if this is the first time they have 

used the system. Complete instructions on how to register and submit an application in GMS 

can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/. If you experience technical difficulties at any point 

during this process, please e-mail GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov, or call 1–888–549–9901 (option 

3), Monday–Friday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight eastern time, except for Federal holidays. OJP 

highly recommends starting the registration process as early as possible to prevent delays in 

the application submission by the specified deadline. 

All applicants are required to complete the following steps. 

1. Acquire a DUNS Number. A DUNS number is required to submit an application in 

GMS. The Office of Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit 

applicants for Federal funds include a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) 

number in their application for a new award or renewal of an existing award. A DUNS 

number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for 

identifying and keeping track of entities receiving federal funds. The identifier is used for 

tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact information for federal 

assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS number will be used 

throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. 

Obtain a DUNS number by calling 1–866–705–5711 or by applying online at 

www.dunandbradstreet.com. Individuals are exempt from this requirement. 

2. Acquire or Renew Registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 

Database. CCR registration is required to receive funding. OJP requires that all 

applicants (other than individuals) for federal financial assistance maintain current 

registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The CCR database 

is the repository for standard information about federal financial assistance applicants, 

recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously submitted applications 

via Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it is a requirement for Grants.gov 

registration. Please note, however, that applicants must update or renew their CCR 

registration at least once per year to maintain an active status. Information about CCR 

registration procedures can be accessed at www.ccr.gov. 

3. Acquire a GMS Username and Password. If you are a new user, please create a GMS 

profile by selecting the first time user link under the sign-in box of the GMS home page. 

For more information on how to register in GMS, go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/.

4. Search for the Funding Opportunity on GMS. After you log in to GMS or complete 

your GMS profile for your username and password, go to the Funding Opportunities link 

on the left hand side of the page. Please select “National Institute of Justice” and then 

“NIJ FY 10 Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program.”

5. Select the Apply Online Button Associated with the Solicitation Title. The search 

results from step 4 will display the solicitation title along with the Registration and 

Application Deadlines for this funding opportunity. Please select the Apply Online button 

in the Action Column to create an application in the system. 

6. Submit an Application Consistent With This Solicitation by Following the 

Directions in GMS. Once submitted, GMS will display a confirmation screen stating 

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your submission was successful. Important: You are urged to submit your application at 

least 72 hours prior to the due date of the application. 

Note: OJP’s Grants Management System (GMS) does not accept executable file types as 

application attachments. These disallowed file types include, but are not limited to, the 

following extensions: ".com," ".bat," ".exe," ".vbs," ".cfg," ".dat," ".db," ".dbf," ".dll," ".ini," ".log," 

".ora," ".sys," and ".zip."

Experiencing Unforeseen GMS Technical Issues 

If you experience unforeseen GMS technical issues beyond your control which prevent you from 

submitting your application by the deadline, you must contact the NIJ staff member listed on the 

title page within 24 hours after the deadline and request approval to submit your application. 

At that time, NIJ staff will require you to e-mail the complete grant application, your DUNS 

number, and provide a GMS Help Desk tracking number(s). After the program office reviews all 

of the information submitted, and contacts the GMS Helpdesk to validate the technical issues 

you reported, OJP will contact you to either approve or deny your request to submit a late 

application. If the technical issues you reported cannot be validated, your application will be 

rejected as untimely. 

To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are not valid 

reasons to permit late submissions: (1) failure to begin the registration process in sufficient time; 

(2) failure to follow GMS instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its Web site; (3) 

failure to follow all of the instructions in the OJP solicitation; and (4) technical issues 

experienced with the applicant’s computer or information technology (IT) environment. 

Notifications regarding known technical problems with GMS are posted on the OJP funding Web 

page, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/solicitations.htm. 

What an Application Must Include 

This section describes what an application is expected to include and sets out a number of 

elements. Applicants should anticipate that failure to submit an application that contains all of 

the specified elements may negatively affect the review of the application and, should a decision 

nevertheless be made to make an award, may result in the inclusion of special conditions that 

preclude access to or use of award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions. 

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are not responsive to the scope of 

the solicitation, or do not include a program narrative, budget detail worksheet, budget narrative, 

tribal resolution (if applicable), and resumes/curriculum vitae of key personnel will not proceed 

to peer review and will not receive further consideration. 

OJP strongly recommends use of appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Program 

Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of 

Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all attachments. OJP recommends that resumes be included in 

a single file. 

Standard Form 424 

Please see www07.grants.gov/assets/SF424Instructions.pdf for instructions on how to 

complete your SF424. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit 

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entity, please select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable) in the 

Type of Applicant data field. For-profit applicants also may select additional applicable 

categories (e.g., "Private Institution of Higher Education"). 

 Program Narrative 

The Program Narrative includes: 

a. Cover page 

b. Abstract (not to exceed 600 words). 

c. Table of contents. 

d. Main body, which includes: 

• Purpose, goals, and objectives. 

• Review of relevant literature. 

• Implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the United States. 

• Management plan and organization. 

• Dissemination strategy. 

e. Additional requirements. Applicants must address the following: 

Specific State and local forensic science or criminal justice practitioner 

group to be targeted by proposed training 

The applicant should describe the specific forensic science discipline and the 

need for the proposed training to be developed or delivered, or both, to this 

audience. 

Mechanism for delivery 

The applicant should describe either how the training content or materials, or 

both, will be delivered or the anticipated mechanism for delivery once the training 

is developed. Examples include Web-based curriculum that is designed for 

distance learning, traditional classroom lecture, and hands-on laboratory 

activities. 

Defined timeline, milestones, and deliverables 

The applicant should use a detailed timeline to describe various milestones 

throughout the project period as well as the deliverables. 

Location of training and number of practitioners that can be 

accommodated 

The applicant should describe the location(s) of the training and how the 

location(s) will help ensure cost effectiveness and access to a geographically 

diverse group of State and local forensic science and/or other criminal justice 

practitioners. If proposing Web-based learning activities, the applicant should 

detail the delivery platform, where the material will be housed on the Internet (if 

applicable), and how it will be available to State and local practitioners. 

New and innovative solutions being employed 

The applicant should describe any new or innovative approach to the 

development or delivery of the specific training and how it will enhance the 

training. An example would be providing Web-based training materials as a 

precursor to a hands-on laboratory class to ensure all training participants have 

the same basic level of comprehension before attending the laboratory course. 

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Quality assurance plan 

The applicant should describe how the course materials will be reviewed by 

subject matter and education experts prior to the delivery of the training course. 

Strategic partnerships developed

The applicant should describe all strategic partnerships that enhance the 

development or delivery of the forensic science training activities. These 

partnerships should add value to the core competencies of the applicant, and the 

benefits of each partnership should be explained. An example would be for a 

forensic science training provider to partner with a logistics coordinator for all 

logistic needs of a training event. Letters of cooperation/support from partners 

should be included. 

Resources being leveraged to provide the best value 

The applicant should describe any resources being leveraged to decrease the 

cost of training development or delivery. Some examples are previously 

developed curricula, Web-based material that limits hours spent onsite, existing 

training facilities, and existing laboratory equipment. 

Provisions for sustaining this program after Federal funding ends 

The applicant should describe how the training program will be sustained after 

the Federal investment ends. An example would be providing the training 

materials free of charge on a Web site or educating laboratory managers on how 

to deliver the training in their own laboratories. 

Recommendations for replicating the program 

The applicant should describe how the program will be developed or delivered 

(or both) in such a manner that it could be replicated by other agencies or 

individual forensic science laboratories. 

Clear and specific outcomes 

The applicant should describe clear and specific outcomes, including the number 

of State and local forensic science practitioners and/or State and local criminal 

justice partners that will be trained and the level of training they will receive. 

Comparing the number of practitioners trained and the level of experience they 

receive with respect to the funding invested will be critical in determining which 

applicants are considered for funding. In addition, the applicant should describe 

any recognized certifications that may be obtained as a result of the successful 

completion of the proposed training. 

Demonstrated success in developing or delivering (or both) forensic 

science training

The applicant should describe previous successes in developing or delivering (or 

both) large-scale forensic science focused training to forensic science or other 

criminal justice practitioners. If the applicant is proposing to leverage existing 

forensic science curricula to deliver training, the following items should be 

addressed: 

• Description of the training 

• Course syllabus 

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• Hyperlinks to Web-based/computer-based training products 

previously developed, if applicable 

• Description of the training and curriculum development 

• Details on any SWG or national training guidelines the training 

follows, if applicable 

• Name and affiliation of individuals that developed or reviewed, or 

both, the course 

• Brief summary of any evaluations obtained from the trainings and a 

description of the impact the training programs have had within the 

forensic science community 

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

• Bibliography/References (if applicable). 

• List of key personnel. 

• Resumes of key personnel. 

• List of previous and current OJP awards to applicant organization and 

investigator(s). 

• Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from 

organizations collaborating in the project (if applicable). 

• Chart for timeline, training calendar, or milestones. 

• Human Subjects Protection Paperwork including Institutional Review 

Board (IRB) documentation and forms (see 

http://www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/human-subjects.htm). 

• Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to 

http://www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/privacy-certificateguidance.htm). 

• List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which you 

have submitted this proposal (if applicable). 

• Other materials specified by the solicitation. 

The program narrative section of your application must not exceed 25 double-spaced 

pages in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Abstract, table of contents, charts, figures, 

appendices, and government forms do not count toward the 25-page limit for the 

narrative section. 

Applicants should anticipate that if the program narrative fails to comply with these 

length-related restrictions, such that it provides a significant competitive advantage, the 

failure to comply may be considered in peer review and in final award decisions. 

 Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative 

A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found at 

www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf. If you submit a different format, you must 

include the budget categories as listed in the sample budget worksheet. 

For questions pertaining to budget and examples of allowable and unallowable costs, 

please see the OJP Financial Guide at www.ojp.gov/financialguide/index.htm. 

The Budget Narrative is a plain-language description of each of the proposed 

expenditures listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. It should clearly explain the purpose 

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and reason for all expenditures in the budget. There should be no ambiguities about any 

budget item. The narrative also should include details for calculated rates or other 

figures. As with the Budget Detail Worksheet, the Budget Narrative must be broken 

down on a year-by-year basis. 

Cofunding: A grant made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 

percent of the total cost of the project. You must indicate whether you believe it is 

feasible for you to contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-Federal support for the 

project. Your application should identify generally any such contributions that you expect 

to make and your proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be 

supported with non-Federal contributions. 

 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Applicants that do not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate and wish to establish 

one can submit a proposal to their “cognizant” Federal agency. Generally, the cognizant 

Federal agency is the agency that provides the preponderance of direct Federal funding. 

This can be determined by reviewing an organization’s schedule of Federal financial 

assistance. If DOJ is your cognizant Federal agency, obtain information needed to 

submit an indirect cost rate proposal at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/part3/part3chap17.htm.

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for Performance Measures. (See 

"Performance Measures," above.) 

The data collection plan is a description of the applicant’s plan for collecting the data 

required for performance measures. Applicants must discuss this plan in their 

applications. The plan must describe how the performance measures data will be 

derived, state who will be responsible for collecting the data, and state that the data will 

be available for review 3 years post award, as required. The data collection plan should 

be rigorous to ensure that the performance measure data provided are accurate, 

auditable, and correctly measure the impact of the Federal funds provided. 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

If an application is being submitted by either (1) a tribe or tribal organization, or (2) by a 

third party proposing to provide direct services or assistance to residents on tribal lands, 

then a current authorizing resolution of the governing body of the tribal entity or other 

enactment of the tribal council or comparable governing body authorizing the inclusion of 

the tribe or tribal organization and its residents must be included with the application. In 

those instances when an organization or consortium of tribes proposes to apply for a 

grant on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, then the application must include a 

resolution from all tribes that will be included as a part of the services/assistance 

provided under the grant. 

If an applicant is unable to obtain a signed copy of a tribal resolution documenting 

support for its application, then, at a minimum, the applicant must submit an unsigned, 

draft tribal resolution as part of its application. If an applicant fails to submit either a 

signed or an unsigned copy of a tribal resolution as part of its application, then it will be 

eliminated from funding consideration. If selected for funding, any applicant that has 

submitted an unsigned tribal resolution must submit the signed copy of the tribal 

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resolution to OJP within 30 days of acceptance of the award. In all such cases, use of 

and access to funds will be contingent on receipt of the signed tribal resolution. 

Other Standard Forms 

Additional forms that may be required in connection with an award are available on 

OJP’s funding page at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. Please note in 

particular the following forms. 

1. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (required of all 

applicants as part of the GMS application process) 

2. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required for any applicant that expends any 

funds for lobbying activities) 

3. Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (required for any 

applicant that is a nongovernmental entity and that has not received any award 

from OJP within the past 3 years) 

4. Standard Assurances (required of all applicants as part of the GMS application 

process) 

Note: Attachments to the application should be included in one of the following four 

categories: 1) Program Narrative; 2) Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative; 3) 

Appendices; and 4) Other. 

Selection Criteria 

Statement of the Problem (Understanding of the problem and its importance)—10% 

Applicants should include appropriate citations and other information to demonstrate an 

understanding of the problem, awareness of current training resources available to the 

community, and the expected outcome of the training(s). 

Project/Program Design and Implementation (Quality and technical merit)—35%

1. Course design. 

2. Effectiveness of teaching methodology and approach. 

3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). 

5. Quality assurance plan. 

6. Strategy for learning management, learning content, content management systems, 

browser or computer-based training, if applicable. 

Capabilities/Competencies (Capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of 

applicants)—15%

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff, including subject matter experts, course 

developers, and educators. 

 2. Demonstrated ability of proposed staff and organization to manage and execute the 

training. 

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3. Demonstrated ability to create web-based and/or computer-based training programs, if 

applicable. 

 4. Adequacy of the plan to manage the project, including how various tasks are subdivided 

and resources are used. 

 5. Successful past performance on NIJ grants and contracts, if applicable. 

Budget—15% 

1. Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit (e.g., comparing the number of 

practitioners trained and the level of experience they receive with respect to the funding 

invested). 

 2. Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

 3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

Impact/Outcomes and Evaluation/ Plan for Collecting Data for Performance Measures

(Relevance to policy and practice)—15% 

1. Potential for significant advances in forensic science training. 

2. Potential for significant advances in the field. 

3. Impact/outcome of training on policy and practice within State and local crime 

laboratories and the criminal justice system. 

4. Affordability and cost-effectiveness of training (e.g., sustainability and life-cycle of the 

program). 

5. Well-defined plan for measuring effectiveness and impact of training and for collecting 

data for performance measures. 

Relevance of the project for policy and practice in the United States

Higher quality applications clearly explain the practical implications of the project. They 

connect technical expertise with criminal justice policy and practice. You may include letters 

showing support from practitioners, but they carry less weight than clear evidence that you 

understand why policymakers and practitioners would benefit from your work and how they 

would use it. While a partnership may affect State or local activities, it should also have 

broader implications for others across the country. 

Dissemination Strategy—10% 

1. Well-defined plan to promote and advertise the training course to appropriate State and 

local forensic science practitioners (geographically diverse) and State and local criminal 

justice partners. 

 2. Suggestions for print and electronic products NIJ might develop for practitioners. 

3. Recommendations for replicating the program. 

Review Process 

OJP is committed to ensuring a fair and open process for awarding grants. NIJ reviews the 

application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 

measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the solicitation. 

Peer reviewers will be reviewing the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet 

basic minimum requirements. NIJ may use either internal peer reviewers, external peer 

reviewers, or a combination to review the applications under this solicitation. An external peer 

reviewer is an expert in the field of the subject matter of a given solicitation who is NOT a 

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current U.S. Department of Justice employee. An internal reviewer is a current U.S. Department 

of Justice employee who is well-versed or has expertise in the subject matter of this solicitation. 

Eligible applications will be evaluated, scored, and rated by a peer review panel. Peer 

reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only. In addition to peer 

review ratings, considerations for award recommendations and decisions may include, but are 

not limited to, underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past 

performance, and available funding. 

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), in consultation with NIJ, conducts a financial 

review of applications for potential discretionary awards and cooperative agreements to 

evaluate the fiscal integrity and financial capability of applicants; examines proposed costs to 

determine if the budget and budget narrative accurately explain project costs; and determines 

whether costs are reasonable, necessary, and allowable under applicable Federal cost 

principles and agency regulations. 

Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, all final 

grant award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), who may also 

give consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, geographic 

diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding when making awards. 

Additional Requirements 

Applicants selected for awards must agree to comply with additional legal requirements upon 

acceptance of an award. We strongly encourage you to review the information pertaining to 

these additional requirements prior to submitting your application. Additional information for 

each can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

• Civil Rights Compliance 

• Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations 

• Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protection (if applicable) 

• Anti-Lobbying Act 

• Financial and Government Audit Requirements 

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (if applicable) 

• DOJ Information Technology Standards (if applicable) 

• Single Point of Contact Review 

• Nonsupplanting of State or Local Funds 

• Criminal Penalty for False Statements 

• Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide

• Suspension or Termination of Funding 

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• Nonprofit Organizations 

• For-Profit Organizations 

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 

• Rights in Intellectual Property 

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 

• Awards in excess of $5,000,000 – Federal taxes certification requirement 

If your proposal is funded, you will be required to submit several reports and other materials, 

including: 

Final report: For courses developed with NIJ funds, the final report must be accompanied by 

hard and electronic copies of all training materials. For electronic-based courses (browser, 

computer, and video-based training), this includes a master copy, all source codes, and 

supporting files and documentation. 

Interim reports: Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual progress 

reports, a final progress report, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with 

Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be 

withheld if reports are delinquent. 

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Application Checklist 

Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program

The application checklist has been created to aid you in developing your application. 

Eligibility:

_____ Tribal authorizing resolution (if applicable) 

Application Components: 

_____ Program Narrative (see pages 10-12 and “Selection Criteria,” pages 15-16) 

_____ Appendices to the Program Narrative 

_____ Bibliography/References (if applicable) 

_____ List of key personnel 

_____ Resumes of key personnel 

_____ List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization and 

investigators (required) 

_____ Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project (if applicable) 

_____ Chart for timeline, training calendar, or milestones 

_____ Human Subjects Protection Paperwork 

_____ Privacy Certificate 

_____ List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which you have 

submitted this proposal (if applicable) 

_____ Budget Narrative 

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet 

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

_____ Plan for Collecting Data for Performance Measures 

Program Narrative/Abstract Format:

_____ Double-spaced 

_____ 12-point standard font 

_____ 1” standard margins 

_____ Narrative is 25 pages or less 

Other: 

_____ Standard Form 424 

_____ DUNS number 

_____ Other standard forms as applicable (see page 14), including 

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) 

_____ Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable)