Notices regarding the solicitation “Research and Development in 

Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020”

May 14, 2020: The “Eligibility” section has been updated to include “Certain qualified 

individuals.”

March 27, 2020: Many of our solicitations encourage research partnerships and require 

applicants to include a strong letter of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making 

authority from each proposed partnering entity.

NIJ continues to strongly encourage prospective applicants to submit executed agreements 

necessary to carrying out the work proposed with applications if they can be obtained, but with 

an understanding of the circumstances surrounding the pandemic, NIJ will accept applications 

without them.

Applicants selected for award will be required to submit completed agreements by January 1, 

2021. Funds will be withheld until such agreements have been received.

The original solicitation document begins on the next page.
U.S. Department of Justice OMB No. 1121-0329 

Office of Justice Programs Approval Expires 11/30/2020 

National Institute of Justice 

Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice 

Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020

FY 2020 Competitive Research Grant Solicitation

CFDA No. 16.560

Grants.gov Solicitation Number: NIJ-2020-17294

Solicitation Release Date:

Application Deadline:

March 19, 2020 

11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 18, 2020

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

Justice (NIJ) is seeking applications for funding of basic or applied research and development in 

forensic science for criminal justice purposes. This program furthers the Department’s mission 

by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools 

to meet the challenges of criminal justice, particularly at the state and local levels. NIJ’s 

Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG) identifies current technology challenges 

encountered in operational forensic science laboratories. Research based knowledge and newly 

developed tools that work towards resolving these identified challenges facilitate the criminal 

justice community to enforce the law, promote public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and 

ensure fair and impartial administration of justice.

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

Grant Application Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants on how to prepare and 

submit applications for funding to OJP. If this solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, the applicant is to follow the guidelines in this 

solicitation as to that provision.

Eligibility (Who may apply)

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

agreements with eligible entities as listed below:

 States (including territories);

 Units of local government;

 Federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions

(as determined by the Secretary of the Interior);
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NIJ-2020-17294

 Nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit and for-profit

organizations); 

 Institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher 

education); and

 Certain qualified individuals.

Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are not

eligible to apply. Federal agencies are eligible to apply. (Any award made to a federal agency 

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

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

management fee. 

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

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

subrecipients (subgrantees). The applicant must be the entity that would have primary 

responsibility for carrying out the award, including administering the funding and managing the 

entire project. For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide.

Contact Information 

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

Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 or 1-606-545-5035 (international), at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov

Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond its control that 

prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the NIJ contact identified

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

application after the deadline. Additional information on reporting technical issues appears under

“Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the “How To Apply (Grants.gov)” 

section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the National Criminal 

Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Response Center: toll-free at 1-800-851-3420; via TTY at

301-240-6310 (hearing impaired only); email grants@ncjrs.gov; fax to 301-240-5830; or web

chat at https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp. The NCJRS Response Center hours of

operation are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to

8:00 p.m. eastern time on the solicitation close date. General information on applying for NIJ

awards can be found at https://nij.ojp.gov/funding. Answers to frequently asked questions that

may assist applicants are posted at https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/frequently-asked-questions-aboutapplying-grants-and-cooperative-agreements.

Deadline Details 

Applicants must register with Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on 

May 18, 2020.
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NIJ-2020-17294

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline using 

Grants.gov, and the applicant must have received a validation message from Grants.gov that 

indicates successful and timely submission. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 

72 hours prior to the application due date, to allow time for the applicant to receive validation 

messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion any 

problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

An applicant must use the Add Attachment button to attach a file to its application. Do not click 

the paperclip icon to attach files. This action will not attach the files to the application. After 

adding an attachment, select the View Attachment button to confirm you attached the correct 

file. To remove the file, select the Delete Attachment button.

OJP encourages all applicants to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov.

For additional information, see the “How to Apply (Grants.gov)” section in the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide.
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NIJ-2020-17294

Contents

A. Program Description 5

Overview 5

Project-Specific Information 6

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products 8

Priority Practices to Leverage Research Opportunities 11

New Investigator Opportunities 12

B. Federal Award Information 14

Type of Award 15

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 16

Budget Information 16

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 17

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 17

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver 17

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 17

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 17

C. Eligibility Information 17

D. Application and Submission Information 17

What an Application Should Include 18

How To Apply (Grants.gov) 29

E. Application Review Information 29

Review Criteria 29

Review Process 32

F. Federal Award Administration Information 33

Federal Award Notices 33

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 33

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 33

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 33

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 34

H. Other Information 34

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 34

Provide Feedback to OJP 34

Application Checklist 35
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NIJ-2020-17294

Research and Development in Forensic Science 

for Criminal Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020

CFDA No. 16.560

A. Program Description

Overview

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for basic or applied research and development 

projects. An NIJ forensic science research and development grant supports a discrete, 

specified, circumscribed project that will:

1. Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice;

or 

2. Lead to the production of useful material(s), device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have 

the potential for forensic application.

The intent of this program is to direct the findings of basic scientific research; foster research 

and development in broader scientific fields applicable to forensic science; and support ongoing 

forensic science research toward the development of highly-discriminating, accurate, reliable, 

cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of forensic 

evidence for criminal justice purposes. Projects should address the challenges and needs of the 

forensic science community, including but not limited to, the operational needs discussed at 

NIJ’s FY 2020 Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG) meeting, which may be 

found on NIJ.ojp.gov. Additional research needs of the forensic science community can be 

found at the Organization of Scientific Area Committees website. While the goals and 

deliverables of proposed projects are not required to result in immediate solutions to the posted 

challenges and needs, proposals should, at a minimum, address the foundational work that will 

lead to eventual solutions.

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

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

from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support must include the partnering agency’s 

acknowledgement that de-identified data provided through this project will be archived at the 

conclusion of the award. If selected for award, applicants will be expected to have a formal 

agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2021. That agreement must include 

provisions to meet the data archiving requirements of the award. In rare circumstances, for 

example where law prohibits the archiving of agency data, NIJ may agree to a successful 

applicant creating and archiving an appropriate synthetic dataset. Those circumstances will be 

rare, decided by NIJ on a case-by-case basis, and will require extensive documentation and 

justification for exceptions to be made.

Statutory Authority: Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 

(sections 201 and 202); the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233); 28 U.S.C. 

530C; and the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-93).
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NIJ-2020-17294

Project-Specific Information

This solicitation seeks applications for funding to support basic or applied research and 

development forensic science projects for criminal justice purposes. For the purposes of this 

solicitation, the following definitions apply:

 Forensic — Of, relating to, or used in legal proceedings or argumentation.1

 Science — The observation, identification, description, experimental investigations, and 

theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.2

 Basic research — A systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of 

the fundamental aspects of phenomena, and of observable facts, without specific 

applications towards processes or products in mind. Basic research may include activities 

with broad applications.3 For the purposes of this solicitation, basic research must include 

activities with broad application to forensic sciences related to the criminal justice system.

 Applied research — A systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to 

determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met.4 For the 

purposes of this solicitation, the specific need(s) being met must relate to the improvement 

of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes.

 Development — The systematic application of knowledge or understanding, directed 

toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including 

design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific 

requirements.5 For the purposes of this solicitation, the development of forensic 

technologies and methods should assist in answering questions posed in criminal 

investigations, or increase crime laboratory capacity to meet the demand for forensic 

science services.

Funding priorities for this program are expected to align with the Department of Justice’s 

mission. Proposed projects should address the current technology challenges encountered by 

forensic scientists by generating new knowledge or tools that will lead to better methods, move 

the state-of-the-art forward, or otherwise resolve identified issues so as to assist law 

enforcement, enhance public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and ensure the fair and 

impartial administration of justice. While the goals and deliverables of proposed projects are 

not required to result in immediate solutions to the posted challenges and needs, proposals 

should, at a minimum, address the foundational work that will lead to eventual solutions. 

Proposals are expected to identify the focus areas (e.g., forensic science discipline[s]) intended 

to benefit from the project. The focus areas should be listed in the keywords on the title 

page. Some examples are listed below. Where available, links have also been provided to 

sites containing additional information.

 

1 Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary.

2

Ibid.

3 OMB Circular A–11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget, Section 84 — Character Classification 

(Schedule C).

4

Ibid.

5

Ibid.
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NIJ-2020-17294

 DNA and forensic biology:

o http://strbase.nist.gov

o http://www.swgdam.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/biologydna-scientific-area-committee

 Forensic crime scene analysis:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/crime-scenedeath-investigation-scientificarea-committee

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/crime-scene-investigation-subcommittee

 Forensic anthropology and forensic odontology:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/anthropology-subcommittee

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/odontology-subcommittee

 Bloodstain pattern analysis:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/bloodstain-pattern-analysis-subcommittee

 Seized drugs:

o http://www.swgdrug.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/seized-drugs-subcommittee

 Fire debris analysis and arson scene investigations:

o http://www.swgfex.com

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/fire-and-explosion-investigationsubcommittee

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/fire-debris-and-explosives-subcommittee

 Firearms and toolmark identification:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/firearms-and-toolmarks-subcommittee

 Latent print:

o http://www.swgfast.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/friction-ridge-subcommittee

 Shoeprint/tire tread examination:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/footwear-and-tire-subcommittee

 Questioned documents:

o http://www.swgdoc.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/forensic-document-examinationsubcommittee

 Trace evidence:

o http://www.asteetrace.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/sac-chemistryinstrumental-analysis

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/materials-trace-subcommittee
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NIJ-2020-17294

 Forensic toxicology:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/toxicology-subcommittee

 Medicolegal death investigations, including forensic pathology:

o http://www.swgmdi.org

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/crime-scenedeath-investigation-scientificarea-committee

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/medicolegal-death-investigationsubcommittee

 Digital/multimedia evidence:

o https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/digitalmultimedia-scientific-area-committee

o https://www.swgde.org

Indicators of successful proposals may include relationships/collaborations with operational, 

accredited crime laboratories, and demonstrated abilities to produce scholarly products. See the 

next section on “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products” for more 

details.

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products

Proposals should address at least one of the goals specified below. Proposed projects that 

address more than one goal should be separated into discrete phases that clearly identify the 

goal to be addressed by each phase (additional information regarding the phasing of proposals 

can be found in Section B. Federal Award Information). Proposed projects should include goals 

that speak to specific forensic science needs and challenges which, if resolved, will aid the 

criminal justice community in enforcing the law, enhancing public safety, preventing and 

reducing crime, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice. While some latestage applied research and development projects may be able to propose tangible or direct 

solutions, early-stage research projects are not required to result in immediate solutions. 

However, these early-stage research projects should clearly explain how the proposed 

objectives, once achieved, will produce knowledge that contributes to eventual solutions.

 Fundamental/Basic Research Goal: Improve the understanding of the accuracy, reliability, 

and measurement validity of forensic science disciplines. Applicants may refer to 

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward by the National 

Research Council of the National Academies to review historical material relevant to this 

goal. If addressing this goal, projects should meet at least one of the following objectives:

o Conduct basic scientific research in the physical, life, and cognitive sciences that is 

designed to increase the knowledge underlying forensic science disciplines intended for 

use in the criminal justice system. For the purposes of this objective, basic research 

studies proposed must include activities with broad application to forensic sciences 

related to the criminal justice system. Proposals should describe the anticipated impact 

of the study on one or more forensic science disciplines.

o Perform studies that examine the degree of accuracy and reliability of methods used by 

forensic scientists to achieve a more complete understanding of the scientific basis of 

forensic evidence and the interpretation of that evidence. Studies may also examine 

various processes within forensic methods, from the initial acceptance and examination 
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NIJ-2020-17294

of evidence for its probative value and quality, to the final interpretation of forensic 

results, including assessment of error rate.

o Conduct research studies designed to further the understanding of quantifiable 

measures of uncertainty in the conclusions of forensic analyses, regardless of the 

sources of uncertainty. Studies should seek to establish limits of reliability and accuracy 

that forensic methods can achieve with respect to varying conditions of forensic 

evidence.

o Develop new approaches to forensic analysis, including quantitation of analyses that are 

currently qualitative in nature (e.g., in the development of quantitative studies related to 

friction ridge analysis or other impression and pattern evidence).

 Applied Research Goal: Increase knowledge or understanding necessary to guide criminal 

justice policy and practice related to the forensic sciences. To achieve this goal, projects 

should meet at least one of the following objectives:

o Perform applied research to increase knowledge of physical evidence and/or its 

behavior. Examples include but are not limited to the study of fluid transfer and fluid 

dynamics of certain biological fluids (e.g., blood) to increase understanding of patterns 

deposited at crime scenes; the examination of chemical properties of evidence for the 

purpose of identifying source materials; studies of the behavior of chemical compounds 

of forensic interest in biological systems; research to better understand aged, degraded, 

limited, damaged, inhibited, or otherwise compromised physical evidence (e.g., studies 

on the effect of environmental factors on physical evidence; studies to increase the 

overall understanding of the processes and mechanisms that result in the inability to 

obtain analytical results from evidence).

o Perform evaluation studies of technologies that are expected to have application to 

forensic sciences in criminal justice settings. The purpose of an evaluation must be to 

test a new, modified, or previously untested technology to determine whether it is 

effective for forensic science application. Proposals for evaluation studies should 

systematically use scientific methods to measure efficiency, implementation, and utility 

of the technology being evaluated.

The primary intent of a proposed evaluation study must be to generate new knowledge, 

or contribute to the knowledge in the forensic scientific literature. Furthermore, 

knowledge gained from an evaluation study should be applicable to sites other than the 

one(s) being evaluated. An evaluation study should result in a report suitable for 

publication and dissemination to guide criminal justice policy and/or practice related to 

the forensic sciences. The results of an evaluation study should contribute to 

generalizable knowledge that can be applied beyond a particular 

program/geography, and can inform other researchers, practitioners, and/or 

policymakers.

 Development Goal: Produce novel and useful materials, devices, systems, or methods that 

have the potential for forensic application for criminal justice purposes. For development 

projects, proposals should demonstrate potential for increased quality of result and/or 

decreased time/cost for forensic analyses as compared to current standard practices. In 

order to achieve this goal, projects should meet at least one of the following objectives:
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NIJ-2020-17294

o Improve the “front-end” of the forensic analysis processes. Examples include, but are not 

limited to, the development of improved methods for detection and identification of 

evidence at crime scenes; the development of improved screening methods to help 

assess the probative value of forensic evidence (i.e., onsite presumptive and/or 

confirmatory analysis of evidence); the development of improved means to remotely 

detect forensic evidence at a crime scene in order to overcome scene hazards and 

prevent evidence contamination; the development of nondestructive or minimally 

destructive methods for evidentiary sample identification and/or collection; the 

development of improved tools or methods for evidence preservation and/or storage.

o Develop instrumental systems to improve analysis throughput and the reliability, 

reproducibility, selectivity, and/or sensitivity of current methods used in crime 

laboratories for forensic analysis.

o Develop tools or methods that can separate the various components of a mixture. The 

separation method must be successful on typical forensic samples (limited in yield, etc.) 

and must not reduce the efficiency of downstream forensic methods. Examples of 

mixtures include, but are not limited to, cells from different sources (e.g., sperm cells 

from female epithelial cells, epithelial cells from different sources), products of DNA 

processes (e.g., polymerase chain reaction [PCR] products in mixtures from two-or-more 

individuals), and trace materials.

o Develop improved tools for examining aged, degraded, limited, damaged, inhibited, or 

otherwise compromised physical evidence. Examples include, but are not limited to: the 

development of tools to determine the condition of the evidence to assist crime 

laboratory analysts in selecting the appropriate analytical approach, the development of 

methods to repair damaged evidence (without compromising sample integrity) to 

increase the likelihood of obtaining an analytical result, improvements to the methods for 

detection and/or removal or remediation of substances that inhibit the success of 

analysis, or other methods that will maximize the success rate of the analysis of 

compromised evidence.

o Develop novel approaches to forensic science methods for analysis and interpretation. 

Examples include streamlined, portable, high-throughput, more informative, more 

sensitive, less susceptible to inhibition, and other novel methods for analysis of forensic 

evidence for criminal justice purposes.

o Develop novel approaches and/or enhance current approaches to interpret forensic data 

derived from physical evidence, including an assessment of the significance of 

association. This may include development of databases6 — comprehensive, 

searchable, easily accessible, secure databases for use in determining the statistical 

strength of analytical results obtained from evidence found at crime scenes — and/or 

analyses that provide quantitative measures and statistical evaluation of forensic 

evidence.

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

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

 

6

If database development is proposed, subsequent NIJ awardees are encouraged to share such information with the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology’s forensic catalog of databases at https://www.nist.gov/oles/forensicdatabase.
11

NIJ-2020-17294

the solicitation is posted on the Research, Development, and Evaluation Grant Award 

Requirements section on NIJ’s website.

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

described in Section F. Federal Award Administration Information), NIJ expects scholarly 

products to result from each award under this solicitation, taking the form of one or more 

published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles, and/or (if appropriate) law review journal 

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

inventions, or similar scientific products.

NIJ expects that there will be an equal effort to make the research findings accessible to 

practitioner and policymaker audiences through articles in trade publications, the development 

of training manuals, policy briefs, conferences, webinars, and articles for newspapers or 

magazines.

Some projects may be chosen for technology evaluation or technology transition activities. More 

information, including examples of previous workshops and evaluations, can be found through 

the following links: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics/forensic-laboratory-operations and 

http://www.forensiccoe.org.

NIJ encourages researchers to seek guidance from, or partner with, crime laboratories. Such 

associations foster a greater understanding of the issues unique to the field of forensic science, 

and may strengthen the scope of the proposed research plan. To assist researchers in 

identifying appropriate practitioner partners, NIJ has developed a site for crime laboratories to 

indicate their interest in participating in research. Interested laboratories are encouraged to visit 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/research-and-evaluation-publicly-funded-forensic-laboratories to 

provide their contact information.

Researchers who have developed methods and/or technologies that are ready for evaluation in 

forensic laboratory practice, including previous and current NIJ research grantees, are strongly 

encouraged to apply to NIJ’s Research and Evaluation in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories

program.

Information on NIJ’s forensic science research and development programs (including previously 

funded projects) can be found at https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics.

Priority Practices to Leverage Research Opportunities

NIJ is interested in funding innovative research that aligns with administration priorities.

7

Proposals that advance the following administration priorities may be given special 

consideration in award decisions. If submitting a research proposal that contributes to one 

of the following national priorities, the applicant should state this on the title page of the 

proposal.

 Educating and Training a Future Workforce: NIJ supports the improvement of technical 

training of future forensic scientists through science, technology, engineering, and math 

(STEM) training through hands-on laboratory and research experience. NIJ encourages 

applicants to include the employment of students in their research proposals. Priority 

consideration may be given to projects that emphasize the participation of student 

 

7 See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/M-18-22.pdf.
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NIJ-2020-17294

researchers. Applications submitted under this priority consideration area should include in 

their management plans how students will be recruited, what laboratory/research activities 

they will perform, what training/education they will receive through the research, and how 

their post-graduation/-project activities will be tracked and reported to NIJ.

 Managing and Modernizing R&D Infrastructure: NIJ continues to support growing the 

research infrastructure in the public forensic science laboratories of the United States. 

Applicant agencies should prioritize infrastructure investments that enable shared resources 

and improve capabilities across a range of disciplines. Innovative management approaches 

that enable a broad set of users, outside of government as well as within, should also be 

prioritized. 

 Maximizing Interagency Coordination and Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: NIJ may 

give priority consideration to proposals that are strengthened by other agency funding, and 

can leverage such inter-agency support to yield greater impact than from solely NIJ-funded 

activities. Other agency funding may include any federal research funding agency or larger 

U.S. government research and development initiatives such as the National Nanotechnology 

Initiative. If submitting a proposal under the Maximizing Interagency Coordination and 

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration priority area, applicants should indicate if non-NIJ support 

is past, current, or pending funding agency decision; as well as explain how such projects 

and activities will be managed to avoid duplicative efforts.

 Transferring Technology from Laboratory to Marketplace: Aligning with the goals of this 

solicitation, NIJ continues to support basic and early-stage applied research that provides 

the fundamental building blocks of new technological advances, and expand efforts to 

accelerate the transfer of research discoveries to laboratory practice.

 Partnering with Industry and Academia: The R&D enterprise requires a strong foundation 

of academic, industry, and government collaboration. NIJ may give priority consideration to 

research proposals that incorporate innovative partnership models involving other research 

agencies, state, local, and Federal government; the private sector; and/or academia. 

Applicant agencies should engage in collaborations to help align basic research with 

forensic laboratory needs (See NIJ’s Forensic Science Technology Working Group [TWG]).

New Investigator Opportunities

NIJ is interested in funding new investigators in forensic science research as it pertains to NIJ’s 

mission. Proposals whose principal investigator and any co-investigator(s) are defined as “new 

investigators” may, in appropriate circumstances, be given special consideration in award 

decisions. 

To be considered a “new investigator” for the purposes of this solicitation, one of the two sets of 

criteria below must be demonstrated. If submitting a proposal as a “new investigator”, the 

applicant should identify the principal investigator(s) and any co-investigators, as “new 

investigator(s)” on the title page of the proposal.

 The investigator must have received — no earlier than April 1, 2016 — an initial 

appointment in the United States to a full-time junior faculty position8 at a university or to 

 

8 Typically, the appropriate faculty rank is that of “Assistant Professor,” although some institutions may use a different 

title to designate junior faculty status.
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NIJ-2020-17294

an equivalent full-time staff scientist position in a research institution; hold such a fulltime appointment at the time of application submission; and must never have received 

NIJ funding for a research project — other than a Graduate Research Fellowship 

program grant; or

 The investigator must be an established researcher who has not successfully competed 

for NIJ funding as a principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or collaborative 

researcher in the past 10 years. The investigator must hold a full-time appointment in the 

United States to a faculty position at a university or an equivalent position as a scientist 

on the staff of a research institution at the time of application submission.

In the case of a grant application that involves more than one investigator, all co-investigators 

must meet the definition of “new investigator” in order for the application to be 

considered as one from a “new investigator.”

The Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products are directly related to the 

performance measures that demonstrate the results of the work completed.

Performance Measures

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

the results of the work carried out under the award (see “General Information about PostFederal Award Reporting Requirements” in Section F. Federal Award Administration 

Information).

Applicants should visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for 

an overview of performance measurement activities at OJP.

The application should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the performance data 

reporting requirements for this grant program and detail how the applicant will gather the 

required data should it receive funding.

Please note that applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. 

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

required to submit performance data as part of the reporting requirements under an award.
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Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides

Conduct research in 

science, technology, 

engineering, and/or 

mathematics having 

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 project or any subsequent 

agency-approved modifications to the 

scope.

2. Quality of the research as demonstrated 

by the scholarly products that result in 

whole or in part from work funded under 

the NIJ award, such as published, peerreviewed, 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.

4. If applicable, number of technologies 

fielded as a result (in whole or in part) of 

work funded under the NIJ award.

1. Quarterly financial 

reports, semi-annual and 

final progress reports, 

and products of the work 

performed under the NIJ 

award (including, at 

minimum, a final research 

report).

If applicable, an annual 

audit report.

2. List of citation(s) to all 

scholarly products that 

resulted in whole or in 

part from work funded 

under the NIJ award.

3. If applicable, each data 

set that resulted in whole 

or in part from work 

funded under the NIJ 

award.

4. If applicable, description 

of all technologies fielded 

as a result (in whole or in 

part) of work funded 

under the NIJ award.

B. Federal Award Information

Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards made will depend on the availability 

of funds, the quality of the applications, and other pertinent factors. NIJ funding of an individual 

research or development project rarely exceeds a $500,000 total project cost, although total 

funding for some projects requiring multiple years to complete has exceeded $1 million in 

previous years. In FY 2019, the average forensic science research and development award was 

approximately $209,000 per year. The average project period was two years. Information on 

previous years’ awards is provided solely for reference. Applicants should propose costs using 

calculations based on the specific activities proposed in the narratives. Costs estimates should 

be focused on maximizing the potential for success of the proposed project, rather than past 

averages.

An applicant should base its federal funding request and period of performance on the actual 

requirements of the research, and not necessarily on the anticipated amount of funding 

available in FY 2020 for awards under this solicitation. However, to expedite the budget 

approval process, applicants are encouraged to break out their budgets by project year or by 

phases, in the event that NIJ chooses to fund the project partially or incrementally.
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NIJ-2020-17294

To allow time for (among other things) any necessary post-award review and financial clearance 

by OJP of the proposed budget and for any associated responses or other action(s) that may be 

required of the recipient, applicants should propose an award start date of January 1, 2021.

If the applicant is proposing a project that reasonably could be conducted in discrete phases, 

with each phase resulting in completion of one or more significant, defined milestones, then NIJ 

strongly recommends that the applicant structure the application — specifically including the 

narrative, expected scholarly products, timelines/milestones, and budget detail worksheet and 

budget narrative — to clearly define each phase. (This is particularly the case if the applicant 

proposes a project that will exceed — in cost or the length of the period of performance — the 

amount or length of time anticipated for an individual award (or awards) under this solicitation.) 

Given limitations on the availability to NIJ of funds for awards for research, development, and 

evaluation, this information will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of applications 

would be productive. (If, in FY 2020, NIJ elects to fund only certain phases of a proposed 

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

vary from those described above.)

Under this solicitation, any particular applicant entity may submit more than one application, as 

long as each application proposes a different project in response to the solicitation. Also, an 

entity may be proposed as a subrecipient (“subgrantee”) in more than one application.

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2020 solicitation in future fiscal 

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

availability of appropriations.

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

additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

Type of Award

NIJ expects to make awards under this solicitation as grants. See the “Administrative, National 

Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide

for additional information.

However, on a case-by-case basis, NIJ may elect to make an award to non-federal recipients 

under this solicitation as cooperative agreements, which provides for OJP to have substantial 

involvement in carrying out award activities. See the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other 

Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. 

Please note: Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be required to comply with 

DOJ regulations on confidentiality and protection of human subjects. See “Requirements related 

to Research” under “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements – FY 2020 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center.
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NIJ-2020-17294

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through 

entities) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements9 as set out at 2 C.F.R. 

200.303, comply with standards for financial and program management. See OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Budget Information

What will not be funded:

 Applications that are not responsive to this specific solicitation. This includes:

o Proposals that do not contain a research component or do not respond to the 

specific goals of this solicitation.

o Proposals that do not clearly address criminal justice concerns in the United States.

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

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

demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) Proposals that include equipment purchases 

should include a discussion of how federally-funded equipment is proposed to be used 

after the funded work has been completed and/or the project period has ended. Note 

that OJP may issue specific equipment disposition instructions in appropriate 

circumstances.)

 Proposals primarily to provide training.

 Proposals that provide direct criminal/forensic laboratory services.

 Proposals that focus primarily on crimes directly related to nonhuman animals. (A project 

may include nonhuman animals, if: (a.) they are necessary to conduct the proposed 

research [e.g., the use of animals or other organisms for experimental modeling]; or (b.) 

the nonhuman biological components are analogous to the physical evidence that would 

be examined in criminal investigations involving human suspects and victims.)

 Proposals focusing on the estimation of postmortem interval (i.e., time since death) 

whose research design is not novel nor applicable across the geography of the United 

States. The primary intent of these studies must be to generate new knowledge or 

contribute to the knowledge in the forensic scientific literature that is applicable to 

locations other than the one(s) being evaluated.

 Proposals that focus on predicting the behavior of criminal offenders or indicators that 

result in victimization.

 Proposals that seek to administer surveys on the perceptions of forensic evidence 

collection policies among evidence examiners.

 

9 The "Part 200 Uniform Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R Part 2800, which adopts (with certain 

modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200.
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NIJ-2020-17294

 Proposals that focus on legal factors involved in how forensic evidence is processed.

 Proposals for social science research whose primary focus is not identification, 

collection, testing and interpretation of forensic evidence.

 Proposals focused on criminal psychology.

 Proposals involving the use of canines (e.g. detector dogs).

 Proposals on voice authentication.

 Proposals on deception detection.

 Costs associated with conducting conferences. A conference is a symposium, seminar, 

workshop, or any other organized and formal meeting, whether conducted face-to-face 

or via the Internet, where individuals assemble (or meet virtually) to exchange 

information and views or explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of 

knowledge, whether or not a published report results from such meeting. A meeting 

where a gathering discusses general matters as part of a normal course of doing 

business is not considered a conference. Funds may be used to attend conferences for 

the purposes of dissemination of research findings.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

See “Cofunding” paragraph under item 4 (“Budget Information and Associated Documentation”) 

under “What an Application Should Include” in Section D. Application and Submission 

Information.

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

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

 Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver

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

 Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable)

C. Eligibility Information

For eligibility information, see title page.

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see “What an Application Should 

Include” in Section D. Application and Submission Information.

D. Application and Submission Information

This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not 

incorporating the “Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation” provisions in the 

“Application Attachments” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.
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NIJ-2020-17294

What an Application Should Include

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

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

receive consideration for funding: Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet (including 

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.)

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

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

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

1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form (SF)-424)

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide for additional information on completing the SF-424.

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation ("funding opportunity") is not subject to 

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

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

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 no more than 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 Times New Roman font 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 on the NIJ webpage.

3. Program Narrative

The program narrative section of the application should not exceed 18 single-spaced pages 

in 12-point font with 1-inch margins, of which a minimum of nine (9) pages should be 
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NIJ-2020-17294

dedicated to Project Design and Implementation. If included in the main body of the program 

narrative, tables, charts, figures, and other illustrations count toward the 18-page limit for the 

narrative section. The project abstract, table of contents, appendices, and government forms 

do not count toward the 18-page limit.

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

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

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

10

Program Narrative Guidelines:

a. Title Page (not counted against the 18-page program narrative limit)

The title page should include:

 Project title

 Submission date

 Funding opportunity number 

 Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators)

 Unique author identifier (e.g., ORCID, ResearcherID, Scopus Author ID), if 

available

 Requests for consideration under “new investigator” and/or “priority areas of 

research” areas

 Key words, including forensic science focus areas

 Contact information (that is, name, address, telephone number, and e-mail 

address) for both the applicant and the principal investigator.

b. Resubmit Response (if applicable) (not counted against the 18-page program narrative 

limit)

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

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

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

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

including responses to previous feedback received from NIJ.

 

10 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.
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NIJ-2020-17294

c. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the 18-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:

 Statement of the Problem and Research Questions. The statement of the problem 

should address the need for research in this area. Applicants should discuss current 

gaps in data, research, and knowledge, including those for particular justice sectors, 

for certain populations, and to answer questions relevant to current policy and 

practice needs and public interests. It is not uncommon for multiple problems to exist 

simultaneously (for example, there may be a criminal justice problem affecting public 

safety, a current technical challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well 

as a scientific/technology gap between the current state of the art and a desired 

solution) and applicants should discuss each of these clearly and justify the 

importance of the separate issues. As part of this discussion, applicants should 

present a review of previous literature and discuss previous research related to these 

problems.

This section should also identify the proposed research questions and introduce the 

purpose, goals, and objectives of the proposed project.

The Statement of the Problem and Research Questions section should do the 

following: 

o Explain the importance of the problem, or critical barrier to progress in the field,

that the proposed project addresses. 

o Explain the criminal justice significance of the problem.

o Describe the scientific premise for the proposed project, including consideration 

of the strengths and weaknesses of published research or preliminary data 

crucial to the support of your application.

o Describe the current state of the art and technologies, both in practice and in 

past/current research, directed at the described problem. If this request is a direct 

follow-up of an earlier study, describe those results.

o Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical 

capability, and/or forensic practice. Describe how concepts, methods, 

technologies, or services that drive the forensic science field will be changed if 

the proposed aims are achieved.

o Include a review of relevant literature.

 Project Design and Implementation. (This section should account for a minimum of 

nine (9) pages of the main body of the narrative.) Applicants should provide a 

detailed description of the strategies to implement this research project and address 

the research questions. Design elements should follow directly from the research 
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NIJ-2020-17294

project’s goals and objectives and address the program-specific information noted on 

page 8. Applicants should describe the research methodology in detail and 

demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the data they will collect. Applicants 

should consider the rigor and soundness of the methodology and analytical and 

technical approaches for the proposed research and address the feasibility of the 

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

The Project Design and Implementation section should include the following:

o Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to 

accomplish the specific aims of the project. Describe the experimental design 

and methods proposed and how they will achieve robust and unbiased results. 

Include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, as well as any 

data archiving plans, as appropriate.

o Human subjects/study population: If the project will involve human subjects, 

clearly describe the study population. Include detailed information about how 

subjects were, or will be, identified and sampled and the method(s) of 

characterization. For case-control studies, provide inclusion and exclusion criteria 

and any matching done between cases and controls. Describe relevant 

environmental factors and how they were measured. If the subjects provided for 

this study are a subset of a family population, explain which individuals were 

included and how they were selected. Highlight special features of the study 

population that would enhance success.

o Sample information: In table form, provide: sample description such as 

case/control status and/or collection site; number of samples included in the 

study; subsample source (e.g., tissue source of the DNA). If data from other 

subjects will be included in the analysis, add row(s) to describe those samples.

Three examples are provided below:

Sample Set Target # of 

Samples Source Service Previous Service

Known controls 500 Buccal Targeted sequencing STR base genotyping

Forensic samples 500 Buccal Targeted sequencing STR base genotyping

Sample Set Target # of 

Samples Source Subsample Set Service

Crania 300 Modern Donated

Collection

300 individuals of known 

Hispanic Ancestry; 150 Male, 

150 Female

Morphometric 

sex estimation

Pelvis 300 Modern Donated

Collection

300 individuals of known 

Hispanic Ancestry; 150 Male, 

150 Female

Morphometric 

sex estimation
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Subject Description Target # of 

Samples Collection Site

Patients at drug rehab facilities 100 Scalp, cut (not plucked)

Controls – subjects donating hair for wigs 100 Scalp, cut (not plucked)

o Provide supporting text that justifies the choice of samples. Describe other 

relevant information (e.g., the extraction methods used for each DNA source and 

the approximate DNA concentrations). Describe previous analyses done on 

these subjects.

o Power and effect size: Use power analyses to describe the range of effect sizes 

detectable by the study. Address relevant features of the analytic plan, such as 

the model(s) to be tested, the extent of multiple testing, and what significance 

level would be used for testing. Include all appropriate parameters. If the study 

design requires separate analysis of subject groups, provide power analyses for 

each category. If there is a plan to test for environment effects, address the 

power for detection of these effects.

o Data analyses: Provide a thorough plan for data analyses. Include: analytical 

approaches to be used and their justification; plans for quality control analyses; 

methods to control for possible confounding effects; how false positive rates will 

be controlled in light of multiple testing; etc. If there is a plan to analyze the data 

obtained with earlier data, or to perform comparisons to determine success, 

describe your strategy for that process.

o Describe the role of each team member in the analysis process, and summarize 

the team's experience with the approaches proposed.

o Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success 

anticipated to achieve the aims.

o If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to 

establish feasibility, and address the management of any high-risk aspects of the 

proposed work.

o Explain how relevant variables are factored into research designs and analyses.

o Data management: Describe the institutional computing resources available for 

this study, the type of database that will be used (if applicable), and how the data 

will be managed. Highlight the team's experience with management of data sets 

(especially those similar to the proposed project). Also describe strategies for 

data sustainability beyond the proposed funded work.

o Preliminary Data/Results: For new lines of research, include preliminary results, if 

available. Discuss the PI’s preliminary studies, data, and or experience pertinent 

to this application. Preliminary data can be an essential part of a research grant 

application, and help to establish the likelihood of success of the proposed 

project. New Investigators should include preliminary data.
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NIJ-2020-17294

 Potential Impact. Applicants should describe the potential impact of the research and 

how it may inform or improve criminal or juvenile justice-related policy, practice, or 

theory in the United States.

The Potential Impact section should do the following:

o Explain the criminal justice significance of the proposed study.

o Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current research or 

forensic practice paradigms.

o Describe any novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, 

instrumentation, or interventions to be developed or used, and any advantage 

over existing methodologies, instrumentation, or inventions.

o Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of theoretical 

concepts, approaches or methodologies, or instrumentation.

o Describe planned scholarly products (See Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and 

Expected Scholarly Products above, for a discussion of expected scholarly 

products.) Grants funds may be used to cover costs associated with open access 

publication.

o Describe implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the United States.

o Describe the plan for dissemination to appropriate audiences. Applicants should 

also identify plans to broader interested practitioners and policy makers in a form 

that is designed to be readily accessible and useful to them.

 Capabilities/Competencies. This section should describe the experience and 

capability of the applicant organization, key staff, and any proposed subgrantees 

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

and the federal funds under this award, highlighting any previous experience 

implementing projects of similar scope, design, and magnitude. Applicants should 

address:

o Experience and capacity to work with the proposed data sources in the conduct 

of similar research efforts.

o Experience and capacity to design and implement rigorous research and data 

analysis projects.

o Experience producing and disseminating meaningful deliverables.

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

the goals and objectives of the project.

The Capabilities/Competencies section should include the following:

o Facilities and other resources: Describe how the scientific environment in which 

the research will be done contributes to the probability of success (e.g., 
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NIJ-2020-17294

institutional support, physical resources, and intellectual rapport). In describing 

the scientific environment in which the work will be done, discuss ways in which 

the proposed studies will benefit from unique features of the scientific 

environment or subject populations or will employ useful collaborative 

arrangements. If there are multiple performance sites, describe the resources 

available at each site.

o Equipment: List major items of equipment already available for this project and, if 

appropriate identify location and pertinent capabilities.

o Senior/key personnel profile: Describe each senior/key personnel’s role in the 

project, and why the individual is well-suited for that role. The relevant factors 

may include: aspects of past training; previous experimental work on this specific 

topic or related topics; technical expertise; collaborators or scientific environment; 

and/or past performance in this or related fields. Senior/key personnel are 

defined as all individuals who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the 

scientific development or execution of the project, whether or not salaries are 

requested. Consultants should be included if they meet this definition.

 Principal investigator (PI) profile should be listed first.

 The remaining senior/key personnel profiles should be listed in alphabetical 

order. While alphabetical order is preferred, it is not required. However, be 

aware that these profiles will appear in the application in the order provided 

by the applicant. Therefore, peer reviewers will see them in the order 

presented. Those with a postdoctoral role should be included if they meet the 

definition of senior/key personnel.

 Other significant contributors (OSCs): OSCs are those individuals who 

commit to contribute to the scientific development or execution of the project, 

but do not commit any specified measurable effort (i.e., person months) to the 

project. These individuals are typically presented at effort of “zero person 

months” or "as needed." Individuals with measurable effort may not be listed 

as OSCs. Consultants should be included if they meet the OSC definition. 

OSCs should be listed after all senior/key persons.

e. Appendices not counted against the 18-page program narrative limit) include:

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

Narrative. Each reference must include the names of all authors (in the same 

sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article and journal title, book 

title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication. Include only 

bibliographic citations. While there is not a page limitation, it is important to be 

concise, and to select only those literature references pertinent to the proposed 

research. Attach this information as a separate PDF file titled “Bibliography and 

References Cited.”

 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. (Tables, charts, graphs, or other relevant illustrations that are 
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NIJ-2020-17294

essential for comprehension of the project/program design should be included in the 

main body of the narrative.)

 Curriculum vitae, resumes, or biosketches of senior/key personnel. For the purposes 

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

all co-principal investigators, and other significant contributors. Reviewers use these 

pages in part to address the “Capabilities/Competencies” selection criterion. Attach 

this information as a separate PDF file titled “CVs of Key Personnel.” 

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

 Progress report for renewal and revision applications, if applicable. For 

renewal/revision applications, provide a progress report. Provide the beginning and 

ending dates for the period covered since the last competitive review. Summarize the 

specific aims of the previous project period and the importance of the findings, and 

emphasize the progress made toward their achievement. Explain any significant 

changes to the specific aims and any new directions, including changes to the 

specific aims resulting from significant budget reductions. For any studies meeting 

the NIJ definition for research involving human subjects 

(https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-and-privacy-protection), discuss previous 

participant enrollment (e.g., recruitment, retention, inclusion of women, minorities, 

children, etc.) as part of the progress report, particularly if relevant to studies 

proposed in the renewal or revision application. If applicable, Reviewers use these 

pages in part to address the “Project Design and Implementation” selection criterion. 

Attach this information as a separate PDF file titled “Progress Report for Renewal”.

 Progress report publication list (renewal applications only). List the titles and 

complete references to all appropriate publications, manuscripts accepted for 

publication, patents, and other printed materials that have resulted from the project 

since it was last reviewed competitively. This list should be included with the 

“Progress Report for Renewal” PDF file attachment noted above.

 Multiple PI leadership plan. For applications designating multiple PIs, a leadership 

plan must be included. For applications designating multiple PIs, all such individuals 

must be assigned the PI role on the Senior/Key Personnel Profile form, even those at 

organizations other than the applicant organization. A rationale for choosing a 

multiple PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational 

structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, 

including communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, 

and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and 

scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PIs 

and other collaborators. Do not submit a leadership plan if you are not submitting a 

multiple PI application. Reviewers use these pages in part to address the 

“Capabilities/Competencies” selection criterion. Attach this information as a separate 

PDF file titled “Multiple PI Leadership Plan.”

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

administrative arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the 

consortium organization(s). If consortium/contractual activities represent a significant 

portion of the overall project, explain why the applicant organization, rather than the 
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NIJ-2020-17294

ultimate performer of the activities, should be the grantee. Reviewers use these 

pages in part to address the “Project Design and Implementation” selection criterion. 

Attach this information as a separate PDF file titled “Consortium/Contractual 

Arrangements”

 Letters of support. Attach all appropriate letters of support, including any letters 

necessary to demonstrate the support of consortium participants and collaborators 

such as senior/key personnel and other significant contributors included in the grant 

application. Letters are not required for personnel (such as research assistants) not 

contributing in a substantive, measurable way to the scientific development or 

execution of the project. Letters should stipulate expectations for co-authorship, and 

whether samples, data, or other resources promised in the letter are freely available 

to other investigators in the scientific community or will be provided to the particular 

investigators only. For consultants, letters should include rate/charge for consulting 

services and level of effort/number of hours per year anticipated. In addition, letters 

ensuring access to core facilities and resources should stipulate whether access will 

be provided as a fee-for-service. Combine and attach this information as one 

separate PDF file titled “Letters of Support”.

 Data Archiving Plan(s). NIJ considers the archiving and sharing of unique research 

resources developed through NIJ-sponsored research an important means to 

enhance the value and further the advancement of the research. When resources 

have been developed with NIJ funds and the associated research findings published 

or provided to NIJ, it is important that they be made readily available for research 

purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. Applications should 

include as an appendix a brief plan about proposed data management and archiving, 

including submission to NIJ 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. Attach this 

information as a separate PDF file titled “Data Archiving Plan(s).”

 List of proposed project staff, affiliation, and roles. To assist OJP in assessing actual 

or apparent conflicts of interest (including such conflicts on the part of prospective 

reviewers of the application, a complete list of the individuals named or otherwise 

identified anywhere in the application (including in the budget or in any other 

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

development, or evaluation project. This applies to all such individuals, including, for 

example, individuals who are or would be employees of the applicant or employees 

of any proposed subrecipient entity, any individuals who themselves may be a 

subrecipient, and individuals who may (or will) work without compensation (such as 

advisory board members). This appendix to the program narrative is to include, for 

each listed individual: name, title, employer, any other potentially-pertinent 

organizational affiliation(s), and the individual's proposed roles and responsibilities in 

carrying out the proposed project. If the application identifies any specific entities or 

organizations (other than the applicant) that will or may work (or advise or consult) 
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on the proposed project, without also naming any associated individuals, the name of 

each such organization also should be included on this list.

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

available on the NIJ webpage to prepare this list.

If the application (including the budget) identifies any proposed non-competitive 

agreements that are or may be considered procurement "contracts" (rather than 

subawards) for purposes of federal grants administrative requirements the applicant 

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

should provide this list as a separate sheet entitled "Proposed non-competitive 

procurement contracts."

For information on distinctions — for purposes of federal grants administrative 

requirements — between subawards and procurement contracts under awards, see 

“Budget Information and Associated Documentation,” below.

 Proposed project timeline and expected milestones.

 Human Subjects Protection paperwork (documentation and forms related to 

Institutional Review Board [IRB] review). See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/humansubjects-and-privacy-protection. Note: Final IRB approval is not required at the time 

an application is submitted.

 Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/confidentiality-and-privacy-protections and 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate.

 List of any previous and current NIJ awards to the applicant 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.”) 

 List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this application has 

been submitted (if applicable).

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

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

document, according to the requirements set forth at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/participant-support-costs-and-incentives-social-scienceresearch.

 Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

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

applicable).
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Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

4. Budget Information and Associated Documentation in the Budget Preparation and 

Submission Information section.

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

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

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

“Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide.

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

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

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

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

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

supported with non-federal contributions.

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

6. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

7. Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including 

applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

8. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

9. Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications

10. Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees11 (if applicable)

11. Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity

12. Additional Attachments

a. Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist – National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Each applicant is to submit an NIJ Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist with the 

application to assist NIJ in assessing the potential environmental impacts of the activities 

proposed for funding by the applicant. Specifically, the applicant is expected to:

• Carefully read the Programmatic Environmental Assessment;

• Complete the Cover Sheet and the attached the Programmatic Checklist; and

• Attach the completed documents to the grant application.

 

11 A “DOJ High Risk Grantee” is a recipient that has received a DOJ High-Risk designation based on a documented 

history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control deficiencies, 

or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is otherwise not responsible.
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The applicant should also submit a Cover Sheet and NIJ Programmatic Checklist for 

any organization identified in the Budget Detail Worksheet that will receive grant funds 

through a sub-award or procurement contract to perform any of the following activities: 

new construction or renovations that change the basic prior use of a facility or 

significantly change the size; research and/or technology development that could be 

expected to have an effect on the environment; or implementation of programs 

involving the use of chemicals. For more information about NEPA and NIJ’s NEPA 

Process, please go to https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/national-environmental-policy-actnepa.

How To Apply (Grants.gov)

Applicants must register in and submit applications through Grants.gov, a primary source to find 

federal funding opportunities and apply for funding. Find information on how to apply in 

response to this solicitation in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Registration and Submission Steps

Applicants will need the following identifying information when searching for the funding 

opportunity on Grants.gov.

 Assistance Listing 16.560, National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and 

Development Project Grants.

 Funding Opportunity Number # NIJ-2020-17294.

For information on each registration and submission step, see the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide.

E. Application Review Information

Review Criteria

Depending on the number of applications received, applications may be categorized by 

scientific discipline into discrete groups for purposes of peer review and/or selection of award. 

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

the following review criteria. Each individual criterion is assigned a different weight based on the 

percentage value listed. For example, the first criterion, Statement of the Problem, is worth 10 

percent of the score in the assessment of the application’s technical merit. 

Statement of the Problem and Research Questions (Understanding of the problem, research 

questions, and their importance) – 10%

1. Demonstrated understanding of the problem(s) that exist in an identified forensic science 

field/discipline.

2. Demonstrated understanding of the technology needs of the forensic science 

practitioners.
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3. Demonstrated awareness of the current state of the art and technologies, both in 

practice and in past/current research, directed at the described problem(s).

4. Demonstrated importance of research questions, goals and objectives, including 

alignment with the aims of the solicitation.

5. 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. The overall strategy, methodology, and analyses should 

be well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project.

2. Feasibility of proposed project and the strength of supporting data. The proof-of-principle 

of the proposed technology or methodology should be established and supported by 

preliminary data presented in, or referenced, in the proposal. More innovative plans 

and/or plans with a higher potential for failure, should be counterbalanced to manage the 

inherent risk; e.g., by firm theoretical basis, reasonable preliminary data (depending on 

the mechanism), the track record of the principal investigator and any co-principal 

investigator(s), and an outstanding scientific and management plan.

3. Detailed description and justification of the sample type and sample size to be tested 

and approaches for data analysis are thorough and appropriate to accomplish the 

specific aims of the project.

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

actions to minimize and/or mitigate them.

5. Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation (which include 

datasets, peer-reviewed journal articles, technological prototypes and patented 

inventions, as appropriate).

Potential Impact – 20%

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

justice in the United States, such as:

 Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated forensic science problem.

o If the goals of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical 

capability, and/or forensic science practice in the criminal justice system be 

improved?

o What is the likelihood that the project will exert a sustained, powerful influence on the 

forensic science field(s) related to criminal justice?

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

science problem.
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o How will successful completion change the concepts, methods, technologies, 

treatments, or services that drive the forensic science field as it relates to criminal 

justice?

o How will a successful project address the identified criminal justice or forensic 

science problem and associated critical barriers to progress?

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 proposed project).

2. Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to implement the proposed strategies 

and manage the effort.

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

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

project.

4. Strength of the scientific environment (e.g., institutional support, equipment and other 

physical resources, or collaborative arrangements) in which the work will be done and its 

contribution to the probability of success.

5. Demonstrated ability to produce scholarly products. 

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 strength 

and feasibility the proposed plan (if any) to produce or to make available to broader interested 

audiences, such as forensic science practitioners or policymakers, summary information from 

the planned scholarly products of the project.

Budget

In addition, 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. Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities.
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Review Process

NIJ reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, 

understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the solicitation.

The following five paragraphs in this solicitation expressly modify the “Application Review 

Information” provisions in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. An applicant is to follow 

the guidance in these five paragraphs instead of the guidance stated under the “Application 

Review Information” heading in the Guide.

Peer reviewers will review the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic 

minimum requirements. For purposes of assessing whether an application meets basic 

minimum requirements and should proceed to further consideration, OJP screens applications 

for compliance with those requirements. Although specific requirements may vary, the following 

are common requirements applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs:

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

 The application must request funding within programmatic funding constraints (if 

applicable).

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

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

requirements.

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

12 or is 

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

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

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

corrective actions necessary for removal of the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ 

high risk) designation, 2) the nature and severity of the issues leading to or 

accompanying the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ high risk) designation, and/or 3) 

the applicant’s expected ability to manage grant funds and achieve grant goals and 

objectives.

For a list of the application elements that MUST be included in the application submission in 

order for an application to meet the basic minimum requirements, see “What an Application 

Should Include” under Section D. Application and Submission Information.

Peer review panels will evaluate, score, and rate applications that meet basic minimum 

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

to assess applications on technical merit using the solicitation’s review criteria. 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. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting 

recommendations are advisory only, although reviewer views are considered carefully.

 

12 See “Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees” under “What an Application Should 

Include,” above, for a definition of “DOJ High Risk Grantee.”
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Other important considerations for NIJ include priority consideration areas as described 

previously, geographic diversity, strategic priorities past performance, available funding, the 

planned scholarly products, and the extent to which the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget 

Narrative accurately explain project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise 

allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS).

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any 

information about itself that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding 

agency. OJP will consider any such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other 

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

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

take into account not only peer review ratings and NIJ recommendations, but also other factors 

as indicated in this section.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

 Federal Award Notices

 Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the 

OJP-approved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all 

applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations (including applicable 

requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with 

award acceptance). 

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

Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide.

 Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses

 General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

In addition to the deliverables described in Section A. Program Description, any recipient of 

an award under this solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data.
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Required reports. Recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual

progress reports, final financial and progress reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit 

report in accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. 

Applicants should anticipate that progress reports will be required to follow the nonbudgetary components of the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) 

template/format. General information on RPPRs may be found at 

www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if 

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

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

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

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

page 2.

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

H. Other Information

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

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

 Provide Feedback to OJP
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Application Checklist

Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal 

Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020

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

What an Applicant Should Do:

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov:

 Acquire a DUNS Number (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

To Register with Grants.gov:

 Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

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

To Find Funding Opportunity:

 Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov (see page 18)

 Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional)

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov

 Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting available at

ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

After Application Submission, Receive Grants.gov Email Notifications That:

 (1) application has been received,

 (2) application has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

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

 Contact NIJ regarding technical difficulties

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements:

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

Cooperative Agreements – FY 2020 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center.

Scope Requirement:

 The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s).

Eligibility Requirement: See cover page.
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What an Application Should Include:

The following items are critical application elements required to pass basic minimum requirements 

review. An application that OJP determines does not include the application elements that must 

be included in the application submission in order for the application to meet the basic minimum 

requirements, will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration.

 Program Narrative (see page 18)

 Budget Detail Worksheet (including Budget Narrative)

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Resumes/curriculum vitae/biosketches of key personnel (see page 25)

 Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) (see OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide)

 Project Abstract (see page 18)

 Appendices (see page 24)

_____ Bibliography/references

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

pertaining to the proposed study that supplement those in the narrative 

_____ Documentation of “new investigator” status (if applicable)

_____ Proposed project timeline and expected milestones

_____ Progress report for renewal and revision applications (if applicable)

_____ Progress report publication list

_____ Multiple PI leadership plan

_____ Consortium/contractual arrangements

_____ Letters of support

_____ Data archiving plan

_____ List of proposed project staff, affiliation, and roles

_____ Human subjects protection paperwork 

_____ Privacy Certificate 

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

investigator(s) (if applicable)

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

has been submitted (if applicable)

_____ Incentive or stipend approval request (if applicable)

 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

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

 Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High-Risk Grantees (if applicable)

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

 Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)
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Additional Attachments: 

 Request and Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if applicable) 

(see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

 Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist (NEPA) (see page 28)