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

Approval Expires 07/31/2016

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 for methodological research to support the development and 

testing of a questionnaire and modes of delivery designed to survey American Indian (AI) and Alaska 

Native (AN) youth regarding their victimization experiences. As the principal research agency within 

the Department, NIJ is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice 

issues through science. This solicitation furthers the Department’s mission by sponsoring research 

to provide objective, independent knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, 

particularly at the state, tribal, and local levels.

Methodological Research to Support NIJ’s Program of Research Examining 

Violence and Victimization of American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) Youth

Eligibility

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

with, States (including territories), units of local government (including federally recognized Indian 

tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), nonprofit and for-profit 

organizations (including tribal nonprofit or for-profit organizations), institutions of higher education 

(including tribal institutions of higher education), and certain qualified individuals. For-profit 

organizations must agree to forgo any profit or management fee. Foreign governments, foreign 

organizations, and foreign institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply.

NIJ welcomes applications that involve two or more entities, however, one eligible entity must be the 

applicant, and the other(s) must be proposed as subrecipient(s). The applicant must be the entity 

with primary responsibility for conducting and leading the research.

NIJ may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, 

dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. (See “How to Apply,”

page 32.) All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 17, 2014. (See “Deadlines: 

Registration and Application,” page 3.)

All applicants are encouraged to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov.

Contact Information

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support 

Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, or via e-mail to support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov

Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. 

Applicants that experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond their control that prevent 

them from submitting their application by the deadline must e-mail the NIJ contact identified below 

within 24 hours after the application deadline and request approval to submit their application.

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact TribalResearch@usdoj.gov.

General information on applying for NIJ awards can be found 

at www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/welcome.aspx. Answers to frequently asked questions that may assist 

applicants are posted at www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/faqs.aspx.

Grants.gov number assigned to this announcement: NIJ–2014-3897

Release date: April 18, 2014

SL001100
2 NIJ–2014-3897

Contents

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

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

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

Program-Specific Information....................................................................................................3

Performance Measures...........................................................................................................17

What an Application Should Include .......................................................................................19

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) .........................19

Project Abstract...................................................................................................................19

Program Narrative...............................................................................................................20

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative .................................................................23

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) ......................................................................24

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)........................................................................25

Applicant Disclosure of High Risk Status ............................................................................25

Additional Attachments .......................................................................................................26

Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable) ........................28

Selection Criteria.....................................................................................................................28

Review Process ......................................................................................................................30

Additional Requirements.........................................................................................................30

How to Apply...........................................................................................................................32

Provide Feedback to OJP .......................................................................................................35

Application Checklist...............................................................................................................36
3 NIJ–2014-3897

Methodological Research to Support NIJ’s 

Program of Research Examining Violence and 

Victimization of American Indian (AI) and Alaska 

Native (AN) Youth

(CFDA No. 16.560)

Overview

This solicitation seeks applicants to develop and test optimum data collection procedures for 

self-report data on violence and victimization experienced by American Indian (AI) and Alaska 

Native (AN) youth living in tribal communities or settings. The focus of the work under this 

solicitation is to develop, implement, and pilot test a survey and methods for providing estimates 

of victimization, and to determine the feasibility of using these procedures in tribal communities 

and settings.

Authorizing Legislation: Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 

(sections 201 and 202); Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76); 28 

U.S.C. § 530C.

Deadlines: Registration and Application

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. OJP encourages

applicants to register several weeks before the application submission deadline. In addition, 

OJP urges applicants to submit applications 72 hours prior to the application due date. The 

deadline to apply for funding under this announcement is 11:59 eastern time on June 17, 2014.

See “How to Apply” on page 32 for details.

Eligibility

Refer to the title page for eligibility under this program.

Program-Specific Information

In accordance with the trust relationship that is fundamental to the government-to-government 

relationship with American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, DOJ provides assistance, 

including through grants, to tribal governments and their justice systems. The Department can 

better carry out this critical function through improved data collection, research, analyses, and 

reporting on crime and justice issues facing tribal communities. As a result, one of the key 

priority areas of the Department is to address the lack of tribal data and research to inform 

justice policy and practice.

Existing research, accounts from tribal leaders and administrators, as well as anecdotal 

accounts from law enforcement authorities and child protective services indicate that violence 

against and among AI and AN youth is a critical public health and public safety issue facing 

many tribal communities. In general, research has shown that children exposed to violence 

(CEV) are at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior later in life as well as being afflicted 
4 NIJ–2014-3897

with elevated levels of victimization, drug use, and suicidal behaviors. To date, only a few of 

these studies have been conducted in tribal communities or settings with tribal youth. However, 

these studies1 have found that exposure to violence was widespread among AI and AN boys 

and girls and associated with a number of subsequent behavioral health disparities such as 

long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm.

Despite these compelling indications, there has never been a national study of tribal youth 

regarding their victimization experiences that provides reliable, valid estimates of the scope of 

the problem. As a result, the incidence, prevalence, and nature of victimization experienced by 

AI and AN tribal youth who are enrolled, affiliated, or descendants of a federally recognized 

tribe2 living in Indian Country,

3 Alaska Native Villages or hub areas,4 or other tribal settings

(e.g., off-reservation boarding schools, peripheral dormitories near reservations for students 

attending public schools, tribal colleges) are unknown. 

Because this area remains an understudied issue that suffers from a lack of scientifically 

rigorous research, NIJ, in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention (OJJDP) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), seeks to fund research that will 

provide prevalence data and research detailing the occurrence and forms of victimization 

experienced by AI and AN youth living in or near tribal communities. The goals behind this effort 

are to (1) improve our understanding of the programmatic, service, and policy needs of AI and 

AN girls and boys and (2) educate and inform policymakers and the public about the public 

safety and health issues affecting tribal communities and, in particular, its youth.

 1 Covell, K. (2005). United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children in

North America: North American Regional Consultation; Earle, K., & Cross, A. (2001). Child Abuse and Neglect 

Among American Indian/Alaska Native children. Seattle, Washington: Casey Family Programs. Ellickson, P L & 

McGuigan, K A. (2000). Early predictors of adolescent violence. American Journal of Public Health. April; 90(4): 566–

572; Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R.K., & Turner, H.A. (2007). Poly-victimization: A neglected component in child 

victimization. Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect. Volume 31, Issue 1, January, Pages 7–26. Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., 

Turner, H., & Hamby, S. (2005). The victimization of children and youth: A comprehensive national survey. Child 

Maltreatment, 10(1), 5-25; Kilpatrick, D. G., Ruggiero, K.J., Acierno, R., Saunders, B.E., Resnick, H.S., & Best, C. L. 

(2003) Violence and risk of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse/dependence, and comorbidity: Results from 

the National Survey of Adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 71(4), Aug, 692-700; NAIC. 

National Clearing House on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, (2002). Child Maltreatment 2002. Retrieved from: 

http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/canstats.cfm; Rumbaugh Whitesell, N., Beals, J., Mitchell, C.M., Manson, 

S.M., & Turner, J.R. (2009). Childhood Exposure to Adversity and Risk of Substance-Use Disorder in Two American 

Indian Populations: The Meditational Role of Early Substance-Use Initiation. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and 

Drugs.70:971-981; Wagman Borowsky, I., Resnick, M.D., Ireland, M., & Blum, R.W. (1999). Suicide Attempts Among 

American Indian and Alaska Native Youth: Risk and Protective Factors. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent 

Medicine. 153(6):573-580. 2 For purposes of this solicitation, “Indian tribe” is an Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or 

community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe pursuant to the Federally 

Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a.

3 “Indian Country” is defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1151 as—

(a) all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United State Government, 

notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and, including the rights-of-way through the reservation, (b) all 

dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the original or 

subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of a state, and (c) all Indian 

allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the 

same. 4 Hub refers to a service/commercial center, often a centrally located village or town, that has grown to include 

services for surrounding villages.
5 NIJ–2014-3897

Expected Benefits of this Research 

This solicitation seeks to fund methodological research to support the development and testing 

of a tribal youth survey as well as testing different modes of delivery. This work will contribute to 

our understanding of violence and victimization experienced by tribal youth. In turn, this 

understanding will provide information that can guide policies to prevent and respond to these 

issues. More specifically, this research will ─ 

• Provide tested measures of violence and victimization among tribal youth.

• Develop improved collection procedures for self-report data from tribal youth.

• Evaluate the accuracy, utility, and costs of collection procedures relative to those used 

up until now.

• Determine the optimal design for measuring violence and victimization among tribal 

youth. 

• Determine whether the optimal design can be accommodated using different modes of 

administration.

In developing the optimal design, the funding recipient and NIJ will hold one or more meetings 

with federal and tribal stakeholders and AI and AN research and evaluation experts. The 

purpose of these meetings is to gather information on (1) policy and program needs for data on 

tribal youth exposed to violence; (2) best methods for representing the definitions in survey 

instruments so their meaning is clear to respondents; and (3) best methods for obtaining as 

complete reporting as possible, including methods whereby respondents may report 

anonymously. The deliberations and recommendations of the meetings will shape the optimal 

design that ultimately is developed and tested. Following development and build out of the 

optimal design, the funding recipient and NIJ will review the results in an effort to refine the 

design prior to pilot testing. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products

The goals of this study are to develop and test a survey designed to collect self-report data on 

violence and victimization experienced by tribal youth along with testing different modes of 

survey administration and to compare outcomes of each design against the other. These 

comparisons will be used to determine whether the optimal design can yield quality data feasibly

at a relatively reasonable cost. The successful applicant then will conduct a pilot test of the 

optimal design.

Major Study Objectives

In developing different designs, the funding recipient will review approaches used by previous 

researchers and surveys addressing children exposed to violence and youth victimization. The 

test should assess the relative feasibility, cost, and error components of each design. In 

addition, testing should address the relative accuracy and quality of the estimates of violence 

and victimization among tribal youth across survey designs. The successful applicant will be 

asked to examine all the evidence on the relative desirability of various design attributes and to 

assess the best design and best vehicle most appropriate for this population.
6 NIJ–2014-3897

The research team also will be asked to determine the relative cost-benefit trade-offs among the 

different designs. This objective assumes the funding recipient will conduct an evaluation of the 

different designs and examine how data from these data collection strategies compare to one

another. Such an evaluation should include an assessment of the feasibility of each design as 

well as an assessment of the validity, reliability, data quality, cost-effectiveness, and relative 

yield of the differing collection strategies. 

Assessing the quality of the data produced by each design is important in evaluating these 

procedures. Determining the relative accuracy of the data across designs is difficult in selfreport surveys because there is no gold standard of validity against which the results can be 

compared. Therefore, the creativity with which applicants approach this task will be an important 

determinant of success. 

One approach to establishing the quality of the data may involve demonstrating that specific 

procedures produce the results that past survey research practices say they should. Assessing 

accuracy in this manner assumes that the funding recipient is knowledgeable of the theory and 

practice of surveying this population and builds into the instrument information that will permit 

the necessary comparisons. 

The following section lists the major study tasks and activities to be conducted by the winning 

research team during the course of the study. The deliverables and guidance on the contents of 

a successful application are provided for each task.

Major Study Tasks

The following outline of major study tasks is intended to provide applicants with sufficient 

information to enable them to judge the complexity and cost of the developmental work. The 

applicants are asked to use the parameters provided to create a cost estimate for the expected 

research, fieldwork, and data processing activities. NIJ will use these estimates to compare 

applicants on an identical or like set of deliverables. 

The optimal survey design tested in this project may differ from this initial design and will be 

determined collaboratively during the course of the project. For each task submitted in response 

to this solicitation, the applicant should: (1) provide descriptions of specific strategies or 

approaches that would be part of the applicant’s work to complete the task; (2) describe and 

demonstrate their capabilities and expertise that will enable them to complete the task

successfully; and (3) provide detailed cost estimates for performing the work, using the 

parameters described below, as applicable.

PHASE 1 – INITIATION, RESEARCH, DESIGN 

Task 1. Project Initiation, Planning, and Management 

a) Estimated Timetable: Start Date: January 1, 2015; End Date: June 30, 2017

Within three weeks of the award start date, the recipient will meet with NIJ and its federal 

agency partners to discuss the proposed tasks. The recipient will develop a detailed 

timetable for each task, subtask, and deliverable (including progress reports); scheduled 

meetings; and conference calls for the project. The timetable should identify short-term 
7 NIJ–2014-3897

and long-term deliverables. The recipient is expected to follow this overall timetable, 

measured from project start:

• Within three weeks of award, Phase 1, Task 1b, Kick-off Meeting 

• Within one month, Phase 1, Task 1a, Completed, Approved Timetable 

• Phase 1, Tasks 2-3, Methodological Development (~3-9 months – 1/1/2015 to 

9/30/2015)

• Phase 2, Tasks 4-6 Systems Development, Cognitive Testing, and Pilot Testing

(~12months – 10/1/2015 to 9/30/2016)

• Phase 3, Tasks 7-9, Post-Data Collection: Processing, Estimation, Analysis, Files, 

and Documentation (~3 to 6 months – 10/1/2016 to 3/31/2017)

• Phase 4, Project Summary and Recommendations (draft summary document due 

4/1/2017 with final due 6/15/2017.

After the NIJ Project Officer (PO) has agreed to the timetable, it is important that all work be 

completed as scheduled. 

b) Meetings 

The recipient will conduct meetings with specified organizations to inform project 

planning, development, and management. These meetings include, but are not limited 

to: 

• A kick-off meeting at NIJ to discuss plans for, and scheduling of, project activities. 

• Conference calls to discuss project progress/status, conducted bi-weekly. 

• Department-scheduled stakeholder meetings (e.g., federal advisory task force

meetings) in which the recipient will observe/participate as directed. These 

stakeholders include, but are not limited to, other federal agencies; academics;

federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement; and victim service providers. 

Recipients should be prepared to assist NIJ and participate in meetings on this 

study. 

• Wrap-up meeting to present project results and findings to NIJ, OJJDP, OVC, and 

other Department components. 

c) Status Reports 

The recipient will provide monthly reports that update status of areas such as tasks and 

expenditures. During the pilot study, the recipient will provide bi-weekly reports, including 

status updates on various aspects of data collection (e.g., number of interviews, 

response rates, non-response follow-up, and status of ongoing survey operations). 
8 NIJ–2014-3897

Deliverables associated with this task include: a timetable, monthly progress reports 

(due 10 business days after the end of the period covered), and bi-weekly reports during 

pilot testing (due by close of business the Monday following the week covered by the 

report). 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how they will 

accomplish this task; b) demonstrate the capability to plan and implement large-scale 

data collections, form expert panels, plan and conduct meetings, and provide status 

reports, all in a timely manner; and c) provide a detailed cost estimate for performing the 

tasks described above. 

Task 2. Methodological Development 

a) Developing the Data Collection Instrument 

One of the primary goals of this solicitation is to develop and test a tribal youth survey 

expected to collect respondent characteristics and ask questions regarding their 

experiences with violence and victimization, health and wellness, service needs, helpseeking behavior in addition to their opinions about safety issues in their community, the 

kinds of support available to them, and their opinions about justice system personnel 

and service providers. The tribal youth survey will be a robust instrument that (1) is 

capable of obtaining essential data elements; (2) possesses maximum efficiency and 

clarity; (3) uses methods that minimize data collection costs; and (4) is appropriate

culturally.

The tribal youth survey instrument should be designed to:

• maximize respondent cooperation and confidentiality;

• be easily understood by a respondent with a 4th grade education (English language 

only);

• accommodate multiple modes of administration [e.g., personal (face-to-face), 

telephone, web, and a combination of all of these methods, using different survey 

technologies such as, audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), computerassisted interviewing (CAI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), 

computer-assisted self-interview (CASI), and computer-assisted telephone 

interviewing (CATI)]; and

• not exceed an average respondent burden of 60 minutes (from informed consent to 

survey conclusion) with variables collecting specific times of administration of key 

sections and breakoffs.

To accomplish these goals, the winning applicant will complete a systematic and 

comprehensive review of all relevant youth surveys, studies, and findings [e.g., 

Adolescent Health (Add Health), National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), National Survey of Children’s Exposure to 

Violence (NatSCEV), National Survey of Adolescents (NSA), National Youth Survey 

(NYS), National Youth Victimization Prevention Study (NYVPS), Youth Risk Behavior 

Survey (YRBS)]. This review will include a thorough review and assessment of current 
9 NIJ–2014-3897

and past methodologies used to measure violence and victimization among youth. 

Included in this review shall be documented sources of measures used in these surveys 

to include: (1) constructs; (2) sources; and (3) corresponding variables. The research 

team will be asked to make recommendations for potential inclusion and exclusion of 

items in the tribal youth survey by reviewing each data collection instrument.

Because the methodology used to elicit reports of these events can differ dramatically 

and produce very different estimates, NIJ is interested in analyses of various survey 

design features, including screening strategy, respondent incentive strategies, reference 

period, bounding, cuing strategy, types of cues, and context. The recipient will review the 

research in the area and draw upon its expertise in survey design and implementation to 

provide NIJ with a written summary of its recommendations. Further, the summary 

should include the cost estimates for each design. The findings from this review will 

guide the recipient in refining the parameters of the optimal design prior to pilot testing.

b) Developing Data Collection Protocols

This task includes the development of study protocols that includes all relevant data 

collection information. The recipient will develop survey protocols that address the 

following:

• survey definitions, regarding the outcomes of the interviewing process— partial, 

completed, hard refusal, and ineligible.

• quality control procedures for data collection.

• interviews.

• interviewer manuals.

• interviewer training materials (e.g., question-by-question review).

• data collection interview procedures:

o selection procedures for respondents.

o allowable incentives for respondent participation.

o procedures for confidentiality and respondent/interviewer safety.

o enhanced informed consent protocols (assent/consent).

• selection criteria for hiring interviewers.

• selection procedures for hiring interviewers.

• vicarious trauma training materials for field interviewers.

• procedures for minimizing risk of emotional reaction by survey participants, such as 

providing toll-free numbers for victim assistance, referring respondents to local and 
10 NIJ–2014-3897

national victim assistance providers, training interviewers in detecting and 

responding to emotional distress of survey participants.

• legal documents needed to secure transfer and/or collection of data [MOU/MOAs, 

information transfer agreements, tribal resolutions, and tribal IRB review(s)].

This task should result in a stand-alone reference document/manual that fully describes 

the methods to be used, along with all training materials.

c) Materials for Respondents 

The recipient will develop materials for respondents to include Frequently Asked 

Questions (FAQs) for respondents and their parents/guardians or other appropriate 

authority (tribal administrators/councils). Examples of the FAQs include information on 

confidentiality, how the data will and will not be used, voluntary status of the survey, 

definitions of terms, and general sample information.

Task 3. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Proposal Preparation and Submission

The tasks described above will facilitate and ease the recipient’s production of the OMB 

clearance materials prior to conducting the cognitive interviews or pilot testing to be 

conducted in Phase II. The recipient will work with his/her assigned NIJ Project Officer to 

develop and submit the OMB clearance package. The package will include the 30- and 60-

day notices, Form 83I, supporting statement, justification memorandum, and copies of all 

related survey documents (e.g., the questionnaires, follow-up documents, scripts, FAQ’s, 

and consent forms). 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how the applicant

proposes to do this task, b) describe his/her experience in drafting the necessary documents

or demonstrate his/her ability to perform the task and c) include estimates of the cost of 

performing this task. 

Deliverables associated with this task and subtasks include: (1) a written summary of the 

designs, including mode of interviewing and development and implementation costs; (2) a

review and assessment of current and past methodologies; (3) a tribal youth survey; (4) data 

collection protocols. (5) materials for respondents; and (6) OMB clearance materials.

NOTE: At the end of Phase 1, if NIJ determines that the project does not meet the stated 

objectives or that funding is not available, the project will not move forward to Phase 2. 

PHASE 2 – SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT, COGNITIVE TESTING, AND PILOT TESTING

Task 4. Systems Development 

The recipient will develop and test the NIJ- and OMB-approved optimal survey design 

developed in Phase I. For purposes of this solicitation, the optimal design is assumed to 

include ACASI, but a final decision will not be reached until the end of Phase 2. The system 

should include the capability to collect paradata such as timestamps, interviewer IDs, 

interviewer status (newly trained or experienced), status of interviews (e.g., the numbers of 

completed interviews, incomplete interviews, call-backs/returns, and hard refusals), 
11 NIJ–2014-3897

interviewer feedback, and other paradata as needed by NIJ. Moreover, the instruments must 

have the capacity to collect data on violence and victimization; incorporate appropriate 

measures for bounding and recall based on referent periods, if applicable; and provide biweekly reports to update NIJ on the feedback, paradata, and other information listed above. 

The recipient will develop system programming and case management procedures for NIJ 

approval. With the involvement of NIJ staff, the recipient will conduct usability tests using 

these developed systems.

Deliverables associated with this task include: an operational instrument with full 

documentation and system capabilities that include precise skip patterns, programming for 

collecting the required paradata and that performs selected data checks and edits. 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how the applicant

proposes to do this task, b) demonstrate the capability to develop operational instruments

and systems, and c) provide detailed estimates of costs for this development. 

Task 5. Cognitive Testing 

Cognitive testing will begin after OMB and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals are 

received and ratified by NIJ. 

The recipient will be expected to conduct cognitive testing of the tribal youth survey with no 

fewer than 50 total respondents for the cognitive testing phase. Depending on findings, 

refinements and modifications will most likely need to be made to the survey and survey 

systems, as needed, prior to pilot testing.

At the conclusion of the cognitive testing phase, the recipient will submit a report to NIJ. A 

reconciliation meeting will be held with the recipient, NIJ, and NIJ’s federal partners. The 

purpose of the meeting will be to discuss findings from the cognitive testing.

Deliverables associated with this task include: a written plan delivered by the recipient for 

development and implementation of cognitive testing to NIJ for approval. This plan will 

describe the testing specifications and procedures and the process by which data will be 

used in evaluating the outcome of the testing, a demonstrated approach to analyzing the 

test data, and a method for incorporating the findings into refinements of the questionnaires 

and survey systems. This task requires the recipient to write an OMB cognitive testing 

clearance memorandum that incorporates findings and changes that arise from the cognitive 

testing in Task 5. 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how it proposes to 

do this task, b) demonstrate its capability to design and implement cognitive testing

successfully, and c) include cost estimates for developing, administering, and assessing the 

cognitive testing.

Task 6. Pilot Testing 

Pilot testing will be undertaken to ensure that the developed design can be fielded

successfully.
12 NIJ–2014-3897

a) Pilot Testing Monitoring

The recipient will provide NIJ with bi-weekly status reports throughout the data collection 

period. In addition to reporting on the paradata and progress of the survey, the field 

progress reports will highlight any identified problems with the data collection activities 

and recommend remedial actions. The recipient will work with NIJ to determine the exact 

content and format of the report. 

Deliverables associated with this task include: operational status reports containing the 

timing, response rates, necessary paradata, and required data checks and edits. 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how it proposes 

to do this task, and b) provide detailed estimates for the costs associated with these 

activities. 

b) Pilot Data Collection

The recipient may hire (if necessary to augment organizational interviewing staff) and 

train an adequate number of interviewers using a recipient-developed sampling plan 

targeting tribal youth in tribal communities and/or settings.

The recipient will conduct pilot testing with an adequate sample that will provide 

sufficient power and precision to observe change in key estimates. The recipient will 

identify the quantifiable metrics to be used in assessing the outcomes of pilot testing, 

identify the manner in which the collected data will be analyzed (including software that 

will be used), and specify how the findings from the testing will be incorporated into 

subsequent refinements of survey instruments and systems. Such metrics should 

include but are not limited to:

• response rates.

• timing.

• buttons pushed.

• measurement of keystrokes.

• interview break offs.

Using the NIJ- and OMB-approved instrument developed in Phase 1 and modified, if 

necessary, after cognitive testing (Phase 2, Task 5), the recipient will conduct interviews. 

During the pilot testing phase, the research team will review interviews for quality 

assessment. The recipient will evaluate and test the quality control aspects of the 

system developed to administer the survey. The recipient will prepare a summary report 

of the findings from these interviews. The report will examine the response patterns 

associated with the completion of these interviews, the missing data patterns in the 

responses, the occurrence of any out-of-range or misreported information (e.g., 

responses that would suggest a prior response was incorrectly assigned) and any other 

skip-pattern issues.
13 NIJ–2014-3897

At the conclusion of pilot testing, the recipient will submit a functionality report to NIJ. A 

final reconciliation meeting will be held with the recipient, NIJ, and NIJ’s federal partners. 

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss findings from the pilot testing.

Deliverables associated with this task include: a written plan for development and 

implementation of pilot testing to NIJ for approval. This plan will describe the testing 

specifications and procedures, quantifiable metrics, and process data to be used in 

evaluating the outcome of the testing, a demonstrated approach to analyzing the test 

data, and a method for incorporating the findings into refinements of the questionnaires 

and survey systems. This task requires the recipient to write an OMB pilot testing 

clearance memorandum that incorporates findings and changes that arise from the pilot 

testing.

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how they 

propose to do this task, b) demonstrate their capability to design and implement a test of 

functionality successfully, and c) include cost estimates for developing, administering, 

and assessing the pilot of the optimal and comparison designs in a pilot study. 

PHASE 3 – POST-DATA COLLECTION: PROCESSING, ANALYSIS, FILES, AND 

DOCUMENTATION 

Task 7. Data Processing Procedures 

During this phase of the work, the recipient will develop the proposed data edits, conversion, 

non-response adjustment procedures, and data documentation for review by NIJ. 

A data codebook must be supplied with each of the data files to document the definitions for 

the categorical variable values, the range of values observed for each data element, and 

any formatting applied. 

The data files may be in SPSS or SAS format. The documentation must include record 

layout; variable and value lists, labels, definitions, and formats; recode information and 

syntax; the survey questionnaire; and survey background information. The recipient will 

coordinate with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) to ensure the data 

files and codebook and study documentation deliverables meet Inter-University Consortium 

for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) formats and standards for data upload and 

archiving. 

The recipient will develop and document data processing and editing procedures for:

• Data cleaning, skip pattern, consistency, and out-of-range checks.

• Data conversion.

• Non-response adjustment procedures.

• The preliminary data file and codebook documentation.
14 NIJ–2014-3897

Deliverables associated with this task include all the documents and procedures described 

in Task 7. 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how it proposes to 

do this task, b) describe its knowledge and experience in drafting complex data processing 

procedures, and c) provide detailed estimates for costs of performing this task.

Task 8. Data Analysis 

The recipient will implement the post-data collection data processing procedures developed 

in Task 7, identify remaining data issues, and report these findings to NIJ for resolution. 

Following the pilot test and preparation of the data files, the recipient will conduct a detailed 

evaluation and analysis of the paradata. The recipient also will conduct detailed analyses to 

estimate the potential bias in the study’s approach. 

The recipient is encouraged to consider a broad range of metrics to assess reliability and 

validity. These metrics should include, but are not limited to:

• Response rates and representativeness of the resulting sample.

• Qualitative examination of narratives.

• Cost per interview.

• Data quality.

• Reporting accuracy.

The applicant should explain in detail how these metrics will be computed and employed to 

assess relative data quality. 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how they propose 

to do this task, b) provide examples of the analyses to be performed and how the analyses 

will contribute to success of this project, c) demonstrate their ability to conduct the required 

analyses, and d) provide detailed cost estimates for conducting components of this research 

and the proposed analyses. Although the level of complexity associated with this work is not 

fully known, NIJ expects applicants to provide their best estimate of the level of effort 

required to perform this task based on similar experiences in this area. 

Task 9. Final Data File and Codebook Documentation 

The recipient will produce a final data file and codebook documentation following 

specifications used by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) 

and standards issued by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research 

(ICPSR). 

Deliverables associated with this task include: electronic versions of the datasets created in 

Task 5 (pilot test) in either SPSS or SAS format and supporting documentation. Supporting 

documentation includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive codebook detailing variable 
15 NIJ–2014-3897

positions; variable and value labels; procedures for data verification; any recoding 

implemented during the data cleaning process; and copies of all programs used to generate 

data or published statistics. The recipient will continue to coordinate these efforts with 

NACJD to ensure the final data and documentation adhere to ICPSR standards.

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how it proposes to 

create the data files, b) demonstrate its ability to create the data files, and c) provide 

detailed cost estimates for the research and analyses that will be associated with this task. 

PHASE 4 – PROJECT SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

The recipient will produce a draft report summarizing the project 90 days before the project’s 

end date. Specifically, the report will outline the findings related to the development of the 

questionnaire, cognitive testing, and pilot testing, contain detailed analyses on the data 

collection effort, and contain an outline of the projected costs per interview for any future field 

implementation. 

Deliverables associated with this task include: a preliminary draft of the project summary and 

recommendations; a final summary document that addresses all revisions requested by NIJ 

(due 15 days prior to the project’s end date). 

For this solicitation, the applicant’s submission should a) briefly describe how it proposes to do 

this task, b) discuss its capability and expertise in preparing this type of report, and c) estimate 

the costs to prepare this summary document.

Other Deliverables and Expected Scholarly Products

In addition to required data sets, a draft and final summary overview of research results, interim 

and final progress and financial reports,

5 NIJ expects scholarly products to result from each 

award under this solicitation, taking the form of one or more published, peer-reviewed, scientific 

journal articles, and/or (if appropriate) law review journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in 

the academic press, technological prototypes, patented inventions, or similar scientific products.

Amount and Length of Awards

NIJ anticipates that up to a total of $750,000 may become available for an award under this 

solicitation for a project period of 30 months.

To allow time for, among other things, any necessary post-award review, modification, and 

clearance by OJP of the proposed budget, applicants should propose an award start date of 

January 1, 2015.

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 set out each phase. (This is particularly the case if the applicant 

proposes a project that will exceed – in cost or length of project period – the amount or length 

 5 See “Additional Requirements” section of this solicitation, below, for additional information.
16 NIJ–2014-3897

anticipated for an individual award (or awards) under this solicitation.) Given limitations on the 

availability to NIJ of funds for research, development, and evaluation awards, this information 

will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of proposals that would not receive full 

funding would be productive. (If NIJ elects to fund only certain phases of a proposed project in 

FY 2014, the expected scholarly products from the partial-funding award may, in some cases, 

vary from those described above.)

NIJ may, in certain cases, provide supplemental funding in future years to awards under its 

research, development, and evaluation solicitations. Important considerations in decisions 

regarding supplemental funding include, among other factors, the availability of funding, 

strategic priorities, NIJ’s assessment of the quality of the management of the award (for 

example, timeliness and quality of progress reports), and NIJ’s assessment of the progress of 

the work funded under the award. 

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

funding supplement or a no-cost extension, ordinarily will not exceed three years. 

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

or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

Type of Award

NIJ anticipates that any award under this solicitation will be made in the form of a cooperative 

agreement, which is a particular type of grant used if NIJ expects to have ongoing substantial 

involvement in award activities. As discussed later in the solicitation, important rules (including 

limitations) apply to any conference/meeting/training costs under cooperative agreements.

Budget Information

What will not be funded:

• Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials, supplies, training, and programs or 

services. (A budget may include these items if they are necessary to conduct research, 

development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.)

• Proposals that are not responsive to this specific solicitation.

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver

With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, recipients may 

not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash 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.6 The 2014 salary 

table for SES employees is available at www.opm.gov/salary-tables. Note: A recipient may 

compensate an employee at a greater rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation 

 6 This limitation on use of award funds does not apply to the non-profit organizations specifically named at Appendix 

C to 2 C.F.R. Part 230.
17 NIJ–2014-3897

limitation is paid with non-federal funds. (Any such additional compensation will not be 

considered matching funds where match requirements apply.)

The Director of NIJ may exercise discretion to waive, on an individual basis, the limitation on 

compensation rates allowable under an award. An applicant requesting a waiver should include 

a detailed justification in the budget narrative of the application. Unless the applicant submits a 

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

request the applicant to adjust and resubmit the budget.

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

uniqueness of the service the individual will provide, 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 to be done.

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

OJP strongly encourages applicants that propose to use award funds for any conference-, 

meeting-, or training-related activity to review carefully – before submitting an application – the 

OJP policy and guidance on “conference” approval, planning, and reporting available 

at www.ojp.gov/funding/confcost.htm. OJP policy and guidance (1) encourage minimization of 

conference, meeting, and training costs; (2) require prior written approval (which may affect 

project timelines) of most such costs for cooperative agreement recipients and of some such 

costs for grant recipients; and (3) set cost limits, including a general prohibition of all food and 

beverage costs.

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable)

If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to 

individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services 

or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps 

to provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation 

services where appropriate.

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section of the OJP "Other 

Requirements for OJP Applications" Web page 

at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm.

Match Information

See “Cofunding” paragraph under “What an Application Should Include” (below).

Performance Measures

To assist the Department with fulfilling its responsibilities under the Government Performance 

and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, 

Public Law 111–352, applicants that receive funding under this solicitation must provide data 

that measure the results of their work done under this solicitation. OJP will require any award 

recipient, post award, to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so 

that OJP can calculate values for the “Performance Measures” column. (Submission of 

performance measures data is not required for the application.) Performance measures for this 

solicitation are as follows:
18 NIJ–2014-3897

Objective Performance 

Measure(s) Data Grantee Provides

Conduct 

research that 

increases 

understanding 

of violence 

and 

victimization 

experienced 

by tribal youth

and has clear 

implications for 

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 

proposal or any 

subsequent agencyapproved modifications to 

the scope.

2. Quality of the research as 

demonstrated by the 

scholarly products that 

result in whole or in part 

from work funded under 

the NIJ award (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, semi-annual and final progress reports, 

and a draft and final summary overview of the work performed under 

the NIJ award.

2. List of citation(s) to all scholarly products that resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded under the NIJ award.

3. Each data set that resulted in whole or in part from work funded under 

the NIJ award.

4. Timetable, monthly progress reports, and bi-weekly reports during 

pilot testing (see Task 1c.)

5. A systematic and comprehensive review of all relevant youth surveys, 

studies, and findings including a thorough review and assessment of 

current and past methodologies used to measure violence and 

victimization among youth (see Task 2a).

6. Stand-alone reference document/manual that fully describes the 

methods to be used, along with all training materials (see Task 2b).

7. Materials for respondents to include Frequently Asked Questions 

(FAQs) for respondents and their parents/guardians or other 

appropriate authority (tribal administrators/councils) (see Task 2c).

8. A written summary of the designs, including mode of interviewing and 

development and implementation costs; (2) a review and assessment 

of current and past methodologies; (3) a tribal youth survey; (4) data 

collection protocols. (5) materials for respondents; and (6) OMB 

clearance materials (see Task 3).

9. An operational instrument with full documentation and system 

capabilities that include precise skip patterns, programming for 

collecting the required paradata and that performs selected data 

checks and edits (see Task 4).

10. A written plan delivered by the recipient for development and 

implementation of cognitive testing to NIJ for approval (see Task 5).

11. Operational status reports containing the timing, response rates, 

necessary paradata, and required data checks and edits (see Task 

6a).

12. A written plan for development and implementation of pilot testing to 

NIJ for approval (see Task 6b).

13. Data codebook with each of the data files to document the definitions 

for the categorical variable values, the range of values observed for 

each data element, and any formatting applied (see Task 7).

14. A preliminary draft of the project summary and recommendations; a 

final summary document that addresses all revisions requested by 

NIJ (see Phase 4).
19 NIJ–2014-3897

What an Application Should Include

Applicants should anticipate that if they fail to submit an application that contains all of the 

specified elements, it may affect negatively the review of their application; and, should a 

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

preclude the recipient from accessing or using award funds pending satisfaction of the 

conditions.

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications determined to be nonresponsive to the 

scope of the solicitation, or that do not include the application elements that NIJ has designated 

to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review nor receive further consideration. Under this 

solicitation, NIJ has designated the following application elements as critical: Program Narrative, 

Budget Detail Worksheet, Budget Narrative, and resumes/curriculum vitae of key personnel. For 

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

co-principal investigators. 

OJP strongly recommends that applicants use appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., 

“Program Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative,” “Timelines,” 

“Memoranda of Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all attachments. Also, OJP recommends that 

applicants include resumes in a single file.

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

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and OJP’s Grants 

Management System (GMS) take information from the applicant’s profile to populate the 

fields on this form. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit entity, 

select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable).

2. Project Abstract

The project abstract is a very important part of the application, and serves as an introduction 

to the proposed project. NIJ uses the project abstract for a number of purposes, including 

assignment of the application to an appropriate review panel. If the application is funded, the 

project abstract typically will become public information and be used to describe the project. 

Applications should include a high-quality project abstract that summarizes the proposed 

project in 250-400 words. Project abstracts should be—

• Written for a general public audience.

• Submitted as a separate attachment with “Project Abstract” as part of its file name.

• Single-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins.

As a separate attachment, the project abstract will not count against the page limit for the 

program narrative. 

Project abstracts should follow the detailed template (including the detailed instructions as to 

content) available at www.nij.gov/funding/documents/nij-project-abstract-template.pdf.
20 NIJ–2014-3897

3. Program Narrative

The program narrative section of the application should not exceed 30 double-spaced pages 

in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. If included in the main body of the program narrative, 

tables, charts, figures, and other illustrations count toward the 30-page limit for the narrative 

section. The project abstract, table of contents, appendices, and government forms do not 

count toward the 30-page limit.

If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, NIJ may 

consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative.7

Program Narrative Guidelines: 

a. Title Page (not counted against the 30-page program narrative limit).

The title page should include the title of the project, submission date, funding 

opportunity number, and the name and complete contact information (that is,

address, telephone number, and e-mail address) for both the applicant 

organization and the principal investigator.

b. Resubmit Response (if applicable) (not counted against the 30-page program 

narrative limit).

If an applicant is resubmitting a proposal presented previously to NIJ, but not 

funded, the applicant should indicate this. A statement should be provided, no 

more than two pages, addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJassigned application number of the previous proposal, and (2) a brief summary of 

revisions to the proposal, including responses to previous feedback received 

from NIJ.

c. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the 30-page program narrative 

limit).

d. Main Body.

The main body of the program narrative should describe the proposed project in 

depth. The following sections should be included as part of the program 

narrative: 

 7 As noted earlier, if the proposed program or project 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 set out each phase clearly. (In 

appropriate cases, the expected scholarly product(s) from a particular phase may vary from those described above.) 

See generally, “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products” under “Program-Specific 

Information,” above.
21 NIJ–2014-3897

Statement of the Problem.

• Project Design and Implementation.

• Potential Impact.

• Capabilities/Competencies.

Within these sections, the narrative should address:

• Purpose, goals, and objectives.

• Review of relevant literature.

• Detailed description of research design and methods, such as research 

questions, hypotheses, description of sample, and analysis plan.

• Planned Scholarly Products (See “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and 

Expected Scholarly Products” under “Program-Specific Information,” 

above, for a discussion of expected scholarly products.) 

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

• Management plan and organization.

• Plan for Dissemination to Broader Audiences (if applicable to the 

proposed project). Applicants should identify plans (if any) to produce or 

to make available to broader interested audience – such as criminal 

justice practitioners or policy makers – summary information from the 

planned scholarly products of the proposed project (such as summaries 

of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals), in a form designed to be 

ready accessible and useful to those audience. (Such dissemination 

might include, for example, trade press articles and webinars.) 

Note: Applicants for funding under this announcement should provide a synopsis 

of their background in the field that documents their expertise with the issues, 

demonstrating they have the infrastructure necessary to complete cognitive 

testing and large-scale pilot testing, and describe the administrative capabilities 

necessary to undertake a project of this scope.

In addition, NIJ requires applicants to test the relative feasibility, cost, and error 

components of each design proposed. The testing must address the relative 

accuracy and quality of the estimates of violence and victimization among tribal 

youth across survey designs, as well as the relative cost-benefit trade-offs 

among the different designs. Further, the applicant should demonstrate 

knowledge of the theory and practice of surveying this population within their 

proposal and how they built that information into their proposal. 
22 NIJ–2014-3897

e. Appendices (not counted against the 30-page program narrative limit) include:

• Bibliography/references.

• Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/charts/graphs, or maps 

pertaining to the proposed project that are supplemental to such items 

included in the main body of the narrative.

• Curriculum vitae or resumes of the principal investigator and any and all coprincipal investigators. In addition, curriculum vitae, resumes, or biographical 

sketches of all other individuals (regardless of “investigator” status) who will 

be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the proposal (including, for 

example, individuals such as statisticians serving as consultants to conduct

proposed data analysis).

• List (to the extent known) of all proposed project staff members, including 

those affiliated with the applicant organization or any proposed subrecipient 

organization(s), any proposed consultant(s) and contractors (whether 

individuals or organizations), and any proposed members of an advisory 

board for the project (if applicable). The list should include, for each individual 

and organization: name, title (if applicable), employer or other organizational

affiliation, and roles and responsibilities proposed for the project. Applicants 

should use the “Proposed Project Staff, Affiliation, and Roles” form available 

at www.nij.gov/funding/documents/nij-project-staff-template.xlsx to provide 

this listing.

• Proposed project timeline and expected milestones.

Note: Applicants’ timelines and milestones should take into account that a 

few of the tasks have separate requirements. For example, Task 5 requires 

the recipient to write an OMB cognitive testing clearance memorandum that 

incorporates findings and changes that arise from the cognitive testing in 

Task 5. Task 6 requires the recipient to write an OMB pilot testing clearance 

memorandum that incorporates findings and changes that arise from the pilot 

testing.

• Human Subjects Protection paperwork (documentation and forms related to 

Institutional Review Board (IRB) review). 

(See www.nij.gov/funding/humansubjects/Pages/welcome.aspx.) NOTE: 

Final IRB approval is not required at the time an application is submitted.

• Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go 

to www.nij.gov/funding/humansubjects/pages/confidentiality.aspx).

• List of any previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization and 

investigator(s), including the NIJ-assigned award numbers and a brief 

description of any scholarly products that resulted in whole or in part from 

work funded under the NIJ award(s). (See “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, 

and Expected Scholarly Products” under “Program-Specific Information,” 

above, for definition of “scholarly products.”)
23 NIJ–2014-3897

• Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from 

organizations collaborating in the project, such as law enforcement and 

correctional agencies (if applicable).

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

proposal has been submitted (if applicable).

• Data archiving plan. Applicants should anticipate that NIJ will require (through 

special award conditions, including a partial withholding of award funds) that 

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

solicitation be submitted for archiving with the National Archive of Criminal 

Justice Data (NACJD) ). (For a detailed discussion of the information NIJ 

expects to find in a data archiving plan, see www.nij.gov/funding/dataresources-program/applying/Pages/data-archiving-strategies.aspx.)

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 required data sets are to be submitted 90 days before the end of 

the project period. 

4. Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative

a. Budget Detail Worksheet 

A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found 

at www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf. Applicants that submit their budget in a 

different format should include the budget categories listed in the sample budget 

worksheet. (Work associated with satisfying data archiving requirements should be 

reflected.) Please note: NIJ expects applicants to provide a thorough narrative to each 

section of the Budget Detail Worksheet, as described under “Budget Narrative,” below.

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

see the OJP Financial Guide at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/index.htm.
24 NIJ–2014-3897

b. Budget Narrative

The budget narrative should thoroughly and clearly describe every category of expense 

listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. OJP expects proposed budgets to be complete,

cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary for project 

activities).

Applicants should demonstrate in their budget narratives how they will maximize cost 

effectiveness of grant expenditures. Budget narratives should generally describe cost 

effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and the goals of the project. For 

example, a budget narrative should detail why planned in-person meetings are 

necessary, or how technology and collaboration with outside organizations could be 

used to reduce costs, without compromising quality.

The narrative should be sound mathematically, and correspond with the information and 

figures provided in the Budget Detail Worksheet. The narrative should explain how the 

applicant estimated and calculated all costs, and how they are relevant to the completion 

of the proposed project. The narrative may include tables for clarification purposes but 

need not be in a spreadsheet format. As with the Budget Detail Worksheet, the Budget 

Narrative should be broken down by year.

c. 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.

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.

d. Non-Competitive Procurement Contracts In Excess of Simplified Acquisition 

Threshold

If an applicant proposes to make one or more non-competitive procurements of products 

or services, where the non-competitive procurement will exceed the simplified 

acquisition threshold (also known as the small purchase threshold), which is currently 

set at $150,000, the application should address the considerations outlined in the OJP 

Financial Guide.

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Indirect costs are allowed only if the applicant has a federally approved indirect cost rate. 

(This requirement does not apply to units of local government.) Attach a copy of the 

federally approved indirect cost rate agreement to the application. Applicants that do not 

have an approved rate may request one through their cognizant federal agency, which will

review all documentation and approve a rate for the applicant organization, or, if the 

applicant’s accounting system permits, costs may be allocated in the direct cost categories.
25 NIJ–2014-3897

For assistance with identifying your cognizant agency, please contact the OJP Office of the 

Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786 or 

at ask.ocfo@usdoj.gov. If DOJ is the cognizant federal agency, applicants may obtain 

information needed to submit an indirect cost rate proposal 

at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/pdfs/indirect_costs.pdf.

6. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

Tribes, tribal organizations, or third parties proposing to provide direct services or assistance 

to residents on tribal lands should include in their applications a resolution, a letter, affidavit, 

or other documentation, as appropriate, that certifies that the applicant has the legal 

authority from the tribe(s) to implement the proposed project on tribal lands. In those 

instances when an organization or consortium of tribes applies for a grant on behalf of a 

tribe or multiple specific tribes, the application should include appropriate legal 

documentation, as described above, from all tribes that would receive services or assistance 

under the grant. A consortium of tribes for which existing consortium bylaws allow action 

without support from all tribes in the consortium (i.e., without an authorizing resolution or 

comparable legal documentation from each tribal governing body) may submit, instead, a 

copy of its consortium bylaws with the application.

Applicants unable to submit an application that includes a fully executed (i.e., signed) copy 

of appropriate legal documentation, as described above, consistent with the applicable 

tribe’s governance structure, should submit, at a minimum, an unsigned, draft version of 

such legal documentation as part of its application (except for cases in which, with respect 

to a tribal consortium applicant, consortium bylaws allow action without the support of all 

consortium member tribes). If selected for funding, NIJ will make use of and access to funds 

contingent on receipt of the fully executed legal documentation.

7. Applicant Disclosure of High Risk Status

Applicants are to disclose whether they are currently designated high risk by another federal 

grant making agency. This includes any status requiring additional oversight by the federal 

agency due to past programmatic or financial concerns. If an applicant is designated high 

risk by another federal grant making agency, you must email the following information 

to OJPComplianceReporting@usdoj.gov at the time of application submission:

• The federal agency that currently designated the applicant as high risk;

• Date the applicant was designated high risk;

• The high risk point of contact name, phone number, and email address, from that 

federal agency; and

• Reasons for the high risk status;

OJP seeks this information to ensure appropriate federal oversight of any grant award. 

Unlike the Excluded Parties List, this high risk information does not disqualify any 

organization from receiving an OJP award. However, additional grant oversight may be 

included, if necessary, in award documentation.
26 NIJ–2014-3897

SAMPLE

8. Additional Attachments

a. Applicant disclosure of pending applications8

Applicants are to disclose whether they have pending applications for federally funded 

grants or subgrants (including cooperative agreements) that include requests for funding 

to support the same project being proposed under this solicitation and will cover the 

identical cost items outlined in the budget narrative and worksheet in the application 

under this solicitation. The disclosure should include both direct applications for federal 

funding (e.g., applications to federal agencies) and indirect applications for such funding 

(e.g., applications to state agencies that will subaward federal funds).

OJP seeks this information to help avoid any inappropriate duplication of funding. 

Leveraging multiple funding sources in a complementary manner to implement 

comprehensive programs or projects is encouraged and is not seen as inappropriate 

duplication.

Applicants that have pending applications as described above are to provide the 

following information about pending applications submitted within the last 12 months:

• The federal or state funding agency.

• The solicitation name/project name.

• The point of contact information at the applicable funding agency.

Applicants should include the table as a separate attachment, with the file name 

“Disclosure of Pending Applications,” to their application. Applicants that do not have 

pending applications as described above are to include a statement to this effect in the 

separate attachment page (e.g., “[Applicant Name on SF-424] does not have pending 

applications submitted within the last 12 months for federally funded grants or subgrants 

(including cooperative agreements) that include requests for funding to support the same 

 8 Typically, the applicant is not the principal investigator; rather, the applicant, most frequently, is the institution, 

organization, or company in which the principal investigator is employed.

Federal or 

State 

Funding 

Agency 

Solicitation 

Name/Project 

Name

Name/Phone/E-mail for Point of Contact at 

Funding Agency

DOJ/COPS COPS Hiring 

Program

Jane Doe, 202/000-0000; jane.doe@usdoj.gov

HHS/ 

Substance 

Abuse & 

Mental Health 

Services 

Administration

Drug Free 

Communities 

Mentoring Program/ 

North County Youth 

Mentoring Program

John Doe, 202/000-0000; john.doe@hhs.gov
27 NIJ–2014-3897

project being proposed under this solicitation and will cover the identical cost items 

outlined in the budget narrative and worksheet in the application under this solicitation.”).

b. Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity

If a proposal involves research and/or evaluation, regardless of the proposal’s other

merits, in order to receive funds, the applicant must demonstrate research/evaluation

independence, including appropriate safeguards to ensure research/evaluation

objectivity and integrity.

For purposes of this solicitation, research and evaluation independence and integrity 

pertains to ensuring that the design, conduct, or reporting of research and evaluation

funded by NIJ grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts will not be biased by any 

personal or financial conflict of interest on the part of the investigators responsible for the 

research and evaluation or on the part of the applicant organization. Conflicts can be 

either actual or apparent. Examples of potential investigator (or other personal) conflict 

situations may include those in which an investigator would be in a position to evaluate a 

spouse’s work product (actual conflict), or an investigator would be in a position to 

evaluate the work of a former colleague (potential apparent conflict). With regard to 

potential organizational conflicts of interest, as one example, generally an organization 

could not be given a grant to evaluate a project if that organization had itself 

provided substantial prior technical assistance to that project, as the organization in such 

an instance would appear to be evaluating the effectiveness of its own prior work. The 

key is whether a reasonable person understanding all of the facts would be able to have 

confidence that the results of any research or evaluation project are objective and 

reliable. Any outside personal or financial interest that casts doubt on that objectivity and 

reliability is a problem.

In the attachment dealing with research and evaluation independence and integrity, the 

applicant should explain the process and procedures that the applicant has put in place 

to identify and eliminate (or, at the very least, mitigate) potential personal or financial 

conflicts of interest on the part of its staff, consultants, and/or subrecipients. It also 

should identify any potential organizational conflicts of interest on the part of the 

applicant with regard to the proposed research/evaluation. If the applicant reasonably 

believes that no potential personal or organizational conflicts of interest exist, then the 

applicant should provide a brief narrative explanation of how and why it reached that 

conclusion. Documentation that may be helpful in this regard could include 

organizational codes of ethics/conduct or policies regarding organizational, personal, 

and financial conflicts of interest.

For situations in which potential personal or organizational conflicts of interest exist, in 

the attachment, the applicant should identify the safeguards the applicant has or will put 

in place to eliminate, mitigate, or otherwise address those conflicts of interest.

Considerations in assessing research and evaluation independence and integrity will 

include, but may not be limited to, the adequacy of the applicant’s efforts to identify 

factors that could affect the objectivity or integrity of the proposed staff and/or the 

organization in carrying out the research, development, or evaluation activity; and the 

adequacy of the applicant’s existing or proposed remedies to control any such factors.
28 NIJ–2014-3897

9. Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable)

Any applicant (other than an individual) that is a non-governmental entity and that has not 

received any award from OJP within the past 3 years is to download, complete, and submit

this form.

Selection Criteria

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

the following review criteria.

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

1. Demonstrated understanding of the problem.

2. Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research. 

Project Design and Implementation (Quality and technical merit) – 50%

1. Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach to addressing the stated 

aim(s) of the proposed project.

2. Feasibility of proposed project.

3. Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design and feasibility of proposed 

actions to minimize and/or mitigate them.

4. Efforts to ensure research methods are respectful of tribal sovereignty, customs, and 

traditions.

Potential Impact – 20% 

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

the United States, such as—

• Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated criminal justice problem.

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

justice problem.

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

applicant organization and proposed project staff) – 20%

1. 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 proposal).

2. Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to manage the effort.
29 NIJ–2014-3897

3. Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff 

(including the applicant organization) and the scope of the proposed project.

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

and resources are used.

5. Appropriate use of and access to qualified and culturally competent personnel (including 

consultants) and subject matter experts.

6. Experience conducting Native American or indigenous research and evaluation in Indian 

Country and Alaska Native villages in the U.S., including developing research capacity 

and culturally appropriate research methods and tools.

7. Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise addressing potential limitations and 

challenges of conducting research in Indian Country and Alaska Native villages with 

members of indigenous communities on sensitive topics.

8. Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise with community-based participatory research 

(CBPR) principles, practices, and ethical issues as it specifically relates to tribal 

communities.

Budget

Peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional items in the context 

of scientific and technical merit.

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

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

3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs.

4. Proposed budget alignment with proposed project activities.

Plan for Dissemination to Broader Audiences (if applicable to the proposed project)

Peer reviewers may comment – in the context of scientific and technical merit – on the proposed 

plan (if any) to produce or to make available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal 

justice practitioners or policymakers, summary information from the planned scholarly products 

of the project.

As discussed further under “Review Process,” below, award decisions will be made by the 

Director of NIJ, who may consider factors including, but not limited to, planned scholarly 

products, proposed budgets, past performance (including scholarly products) under prior NIJ 

and OJP awards.
30 NIJ–2014-3897

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 review the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic 

minimum requirements. NIJ may use internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a 

combination, to review the applications. An external peer reviewer is an expert in the subject 

matter of a given solicitation who is NOT a current DOJ employee. An internal reviewer is a 

current DOJ employee who is well-versed or has expertise in the subject matter of this 

solicitation. A peer review panel will evaluate, score, and rate applications that meet basic 

minimum requirements. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are 

advisory only, although their views are considered carefully. 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, in consultation with NIJ, reviews applications for 

potential discretionary awards to evaluate the fiscal integrity and financial capability of 

applicants, examines proposed costs to determine if the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget 

Narrative accurately explain project costs, and determines whether costs are reasonable, 

necessary, and allowable under applicable federal cost principles and agency regulations. 

All final award decisions will be made by the Director of NIJ, who may consider factors 

including, but not limited to, underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, 

past performance, and available funding.

Additional Requirements

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

acceptance of an award. OJP encourages applicants to review the information pertaining to 

these additional requirements prior to submitting an application. Additional information for each 

requirement can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

• Civil Rights Compliance

• Civil Rights Compliance Specific to State Administering Agencies

• Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations

• Confidentiality

• Research and the Protection of Human Subjects

• Anti-Lobbying Act

• Financial and Government Audit Requirements

• Reporting of Potential Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, and Similar Misconduct
31 NIJ–2014-3897

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• DOJ Information Technology Standards (if applicable) 

• Single Point of Contact Review

• Non-Supplanting of State or Local Funds

• Criminal Penalty for False Statements

• Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide

• Suspension or Termination of Funding

• Non-profit Organizations

• For-profit Organizations

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

• Rights in Intellectual Property 

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

• Awards in Excess of $5,000,000 – Federal Taxes Certification Requirement

• Active SAM Registration 

• Policy and Guidance for Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conferences (including 

Meetings and Trainings)

• OJP Training Guiding Principles for Grantees and Subgrantees

As indicated earlier in this solicitation, NIJ expects scholarly products to result from any award 

under this solicitation. Please review the “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected 

Scholarly Products” segment of the “Program-Specific Information” section of this solicitation, as 

well as the “Performance Measures” section.

In addition to the expectation of scholarly products, successful applicants under this solicitation 

will be required to submit the following deliverables regarding the work funded by the NIJ award:

Semi-Annual and Final Progress Reports

Applicants should anticipate that progress reports will be required to follow the non-budgetary 

components of the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) template/format. More 

information on post-award reporting requirements and RPPRs may be found 

at www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/welcome.aspx. Future award and fund draw-downs may be 

withheld if reports are delinquent.
32 NIJ–2014-3897

Quarterly and Final Financial Reports; Audit Reports

Quarterly and final financial status reports are required. If applicable, an annual audit report in 

accordance with Office of Management and Budget requirements must be submitted. Future 

award and fund draw-downs may be withheld if reports are delinquent.

Draft and Final Summary Overview of the Work Conducted under the Award

The overview is expected to provide an overall summary of the work under, and results of, the 

project funded by NIJ under this solicitation. Among other things, the summary overview should 

address the purpose of the project, project subjects (if applicable), project design and methods, 

data analysis, project findings, and implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the 

United States.

A draft summary overview no longer than 10 pages long (double-spaced) is to be submitted 90 

days prior to the end of the project period for NIJ review and comment.

Required Data Sets and Associated Files and Documentation

As discussed earlier, NIJ requires recipients of an award under this solicitation to submit to 

NACJD all data sets that result in whole or in part from the work funded by NIJ, along with 

associated files and any 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. All data sets and necessary documentation are to be submitted 90 days 

prior to the end of the project period. For more information, see the “Program Narrative” section 

of “What an Application Must Include,” above.

How to Apply

Applicants must register in, and submit applications through Grants.gov, a “one-stop storefront” 

to find federal funding opportunities and apply for funding. Find complete instructions on how to 

register and submit an application at www.Grants.gov. Applicants that experience technical 

difficulties during this process should call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-

4726 or 606–545–5035, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. Registering 

with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, processing delays may occur, and it can 

take several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password. OJP 

encourages applicants to register several weeks before the application submission deadline. 

In addition, OJP urges applicants to submit applications 72 hours prior to the application due 

date to allow time 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.

NIJ strongly encourages all prospective applicants to sign up for Grants.gov email notifications 

regarding this solicitation. If this solicitation is cancelled or modified, individuals who sign up with 

Grants.gov for updates will be notified.

Note on File Names and File Types: Grants.gov only permits the use of certain specific

characters in names of attachment files. Valid file names may include only the characters

shown in the table below. Grants.gov is designed to reject any application that includes 

an attachment(s) with a file name that contains any characters not shown in the table 
33 NIJ–2014-3897

below. Grants.gov is designed to forward successfully submitted applications to OJP’s 

Grants Management System (GMS).

Characters Special Characters

Upper case (A – Z) Parenthesis ( ) Curly braces { } Square brackets [ ]

Lower case (a – z) Ampersand (&) Tilde (~) Exclamation point (!)

Number 0 – 9 Comma ( , ) Semicolon ( ; ) Apostrophe ( ‘ )

Underscore ( __ ) At sign (@) Number sign (#) Dollar sign ($)

Hyphen ( - ) Percent sign (%) Plus sign (+) Equal sign (=)

Space When using the ampersand (&) in XML, applicants must use the “&” 

Period (.) format.

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.” GMS may reject applications 

with files that use these extensions. It is important to allow time to change the type of file(s) if 

the application is rejected.

All applicants are required to complete the following steps:

1. Acquire a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. In general, the Office of 

Management and Budget requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for federal 

funds include a DUNS number in their applications for a new award or a supplement to an 

existing award. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the 

universal standard for identifying and differentiating 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. Call Dun and Bradstreet at 866–705–5711 to obtain a DUNS number or 

apply online at www.dnb.com. A DUNS number is usually received within 1-2 business days.

2. Acquire registration with the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM is the 

repository for standard information about federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, 

and subrecipients. OJP requires all applicants (other than individuals) for federal financial 

assistance to maintain current registrations in the SAM database. Applicants must be 

registered in SAM to successfully register in Grants.gov. Applicants must update or renew 

their SAM registration annually to maintain an active status.

Applications cannot be successfully submitted in Grants.gov until Grants.gov receives the

SAM registration information. The information transfer from SAM to Grants.gov can take up 

to 48 hours. OJP recommends that the applicant register or renew registration with SAM as 

early as possible.

Information about SAM registration procedures can be accessed at www.sam.gov.

3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov 

username and password. Complete the AOR profile on Grants.gov and create a username 

and password. The applicant organization’s DUNS number must be used to complete this 

step. For more information about the registration process, go 

to www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
34 NIJ–2014-3897

4. Acquire confirmation for the AOR from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC). 

The E-Biz POC at the applicant organization must log into Grants.gov to confirm the 

applicant organization’s AOR. Note that an organization can have more than one AOR.

5. Search for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov. Use the following identifying 

information when searching for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov. The Catalog of 

Federal Domestic Assistance number for this solicitation is 16.560, titled “National Institute 

of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants,” and the funding 

opportunity number is NIJ–2014-3897.

6. Complete the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. All applicants must complete this 

information. Applicants that expend any funds for lobbying activities must provide the 

detailed information requested on the form Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL). 

Applicants that do not expend any funds for lobbying activities should enter “N/A” in the 

required highlighted fields. 

7. Submit a valid application consistent with this solicitation by following the directions 

in Grants.gov. Within 24–48 hours after submitting the electronic application, the applicant 

should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The message will state 

whether the application has been received and validated, or rejected due to errors, with an 

explanation. It is possible to first receive a message indicating that the application is 

received and then receive a rejection notice a few minutes or hours later. Submitting well 

ahead of the deadline provides time to correct the problem(s) that caused the rejection. 

Important: OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the 

application due date to allow time 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.

Click here for further details on DUNS, SAM, and Grants.gov registration steps and 

timeframes.

Note: Duplicate Applications

If an applicant submits multiple versions of an application, NIJ will review only the most recent 

valid version submitted. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues

Applicants that experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond their control that 

prevent them from submitting their application by the deadline must e-mail the NIJ contact 

identified in the Contact Information section on page 1 within 24 hours after the application 

deadline and request approval to submit their application. The e-mail must describe the 

technical difficulties, and include a timeline of the applicant’s submission efforts, the complete 

grant application, the applicant’s DUNS number, and any Grants.gov Help Desk or SAM 

tracking number(s). Note: NIJ does not automatically approve requests. After the program 

office reviews the submission, and contacts the Grants.gov or SAM Help Desks to validate the 

reported technical issues, OJP will inform the applicant whether the request to submit a late 

application has been approved or denied. If OJP determines that the applicant failed to follow all 

required procedures, which resulted in an untimely application submission, OJP will deny the 

applicant’s request to submit their application.
35 NIJ–2014-3897

The following conditions generally are insufficient to justify late submissions:

• Failure to register in SAM or Grants.gov in sufficient time.

• Failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its 

website.

• Failure to follow each instruction in the OJP solicitation.

• Technical issues with the applicant’s computer or information technology environment, 

including firewalls.

Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov, if any, are posted at the top 

of the OJP funding Web page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/solicitations.htm.

Provide Feedback to OJP

To assist OJP in improving its application and award processes, we encourage applicants to 

provide feedback on this solicitation, the application submission process, and/or the application 

review/peer review process. Provide feedback to OJPSolicitationFeedback@usdoj.gov.

IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for feedback and suggestions only. Replies are not sent from this 

mailbox. If you have specific questions on any program or technical aspect of the solicitation, 

you must directly contact the appropriate number or e-mail listed on the front of this solicitation 

document. These contacts are provided to help ensure that you can directly reach an individual 

who can address your specific questions in a timely manner.

If you are interested in being a reviewer for other OJP grant applications, please e-mail your 

resume to ojppeerreview@lmbps.com. The OJP Solicitation Feedback email account will not

forward your resume. Note: Neither you nor anyone else from your organization can be a peer 

reviewer in a competition in which you or your organization has submitted an application.
36 NIJ–2014-3897

Application Checklist

Methodological Research to Support NIJ’s Program of Research Examining 

Violence and Victimization of American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) 

Youth

This application checklist has been created to assist in developing an application.

What an Applicant Should Do:

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov:

_____ Acquire a DUNS Number (see page 33)

_____ Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see page 33)

To Register with Grants.gov: 

_____ Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password (see page 33)

_____ Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC (see page 34)

To Find Funding Opportunity:

_____ Search for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov (see page 34)

_____ Download Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see page 34)

_____ Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see page 32)

_____ Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov

General Requirements:

_____ Review “Other Requirements” webpage

What an Application Should Include: 

_____ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) (see page 19)

_____ Project Abstract (see page 19)

_____ Program Narrative (see page 20)

_____ Appendices (see page 22)

_____ Bibliography/references

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

to the proposed study (if applicable)

_____ Curriculum vitae/resumes of principal investigator and any and all co-principal 

investigators

_____ List of all project staff members, contractors, and advisory board members; their 

professional affiliation; and titles or roles and responsibilities proposed for the 

project

_____ Project timeline and research calendar with expected milestones

_____ Human Subjects Protection paperwork

_____ Privacy Certificate

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

investigators

_____ Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project (if applicable)

_____ List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this proposal 

has been submitted (if applicable)
37 NIJ–2014-3897

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet (see page 23)

_____ Budget Narrative (see page 24)

_____ Employee Compensation Waiver request and justification (if applicable)

(see page 16)

_____ Read OJP policy and guidance on “conference” approval, planning, and reporting

available at www.ojp.gov/funding/confcost.htm (see page 17)

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (see page 34)

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see page 24)

_____ Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see page 25)

_____ Applicant Disclosure of High Risk Status (see page 25)

_____ Additional Attachments

_____ Data archiving plan

_____ Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications (see page 26)

_____ Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity (see page 27)

_____ Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable) 

(see page 28)