NIJ’s Research and Evaluation on 

Domestic Radicalization and 

Violent Extremism 

February 21, 2023 | 1:00 PM ET 

The webinar will begin shortly 
 

 

 

 

NIJ’s FY23 Research and Evaluation on Domestic 

Radicalization and Violent Extremism Solicitation 

Solicitation: O-NIJ-2023-171569 

Solicitation Post Date: February 7, 2023 | Solicitation Close Date: May 8, 2023 

Grants.gov Deadline: April 24, 2023 

Webinar Presenters: 

Aisha J. Qureshi (Social Science Analyst) 

Crime, Delinquency and Victimization Prevention Division 

Office of Research, Evaluation & Technology 

February, 2023 
 

 

 

 

Today’s Webinar 

• The Solicitation: 

– Purpose and goals of the solicitation 

– Explanation of Topic Areas 

– FY23 Updates 

• The Application Process: 

– General overview 

– Grants.gov  JustGrants 

– Eligibility requirements | Expected deliverables 

– Lessons learned: Tips for applicants 

• NIJ Review Process 

• Questions 

• Resources 
THE SOLICITATION 
Program History 

• Mandated by Congress in 2012 to carry out: 

– “research targeted toward developing a better understanding of the 

domestic radicalization phenomenon, and advancing evidence-based 

strategies for effective intervention and prevention.” 

• Eleven consecutive years 

• Over 50 awards made 
Purpose & Goals 

• Increase knowledge of radicalization in the U.S. 

• Bolster evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies 
 

 

 

Areas of Focus 

• Topic Area 1: Research to Inform Terrorism Prevention Efforts 

• Topic Area 2: Research on the Role of Communications in Promoting 

and Countering Extremist Content and Information 

• Topic Area 3: Research on Disengagement, Deradicalization, and the 

Reintegration Into Society of Individuals Incarcerated for Terrorism

Related Offenses 

• Topic Area 4: Evaluations of Programs and Practices to Prevent 

Terrorism 
 

 

FY23: What’s New? 

1. The amount of resources available 

2. New topics of interest related to radicalization and extremism as 

identified by Congress 

3. Emerging areas of emphasis denoted in the solicitation 

4. Diversity of Perspectives 
 

Expected Deliverables 

1. Standard grant reporting requirements 

• Semi-annual research performance progress reports 

• Quarterly financial reports 

2. Final Research Report 

3. Associated data sets or files 

4. Scholarly products 
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION 
Application Basic Minimum Requirements (BMR) 

Starting on page 19 of the solicitation 

• Critical Application Elements: 

– Program Narrative 

– Budget Web-Based Form (budget details and narrative) 

– Curriculum vitae or resume 

• Required Forms: 

– SF-424 

– SF-LLL 
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Additional Requirements

(see pages 33-35 for full checklist) 

• Project Abstract 

• Goals, Objectives, 

Deliverables and Timeline 

• Letters of Support 

• Bibliography/References 

• Any tools/instruments, 

questionnaires,

tables/chart/graphs, or 

maps 

And many others, as applicable: 

– Indirect Cost Rate Agreement 

– Financial Management Questionnaire 

– Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

– Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

– Complete list of all individuals in the application 

– Human Subjects Protection 

– Privacy Certificates 

– Request to use incentives or stipends 

– Documentation of rural challenges 

– Documentation of High Poverty Areas or Persistent Poverty Counties 

– Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in Qualified Opportunity 

– Zones (if applicable) 

– Documentation of new investigator status, if applicable 

– Project Management Plan 

– Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

– Data Archiving Plan 

– Disclosures and Assurances 

– Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL) 

– Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications 

– DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

– Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

– DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug Free Workplace Requirements 

– Applicant Disclosure and Justification DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 

applicable) 

– Request and Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if 

applicable) 
 

New (Two-Step) Application Submission Protocol 

• 1. Grants.gov 

– Submit SF-424 and SF-LLL forms ONLY 

– Deadline: April 24, 2023 

– Register at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html 

• 2. JustGrants 

– Submit the FULL application, including all attachments 

– Deadline: May 8, 2023 

– Register at https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/getting-started 
Application Issues 

• Utilizing third party software to submit applications 

• Submitting letters of support after the application deadline 

• Extensions and exceptions 
 

 

Support 

• National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center (NCJRS) 

– Phone: (800) 851-3420 

– Email: grants@ncjrs.gov | responsecenter@ncjrs.gov 

– Web chat: https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp 

• Grants.gov 

– 1-800-518-4726 

support@grants.gov 

• JustGrants: 

– Toll-free: +1 (833) 872-5175 

– Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov 
THE NIJ REVIEW PROCESS 
Basic Minimum Requirements (BMR) 

• Responsiveness 

• Eligible applicant 

• Four Critical Application 

Elements: 

– Program Narrative 

– Budget Detail Worksheet 

– Budget Narrative 

– Curriculum vitae or resume 

• Required Forms: 

– SF-424 

– SF-LLL 
External Peer Review 

• Panels of experts 

• Technical and practitioner reviewers 

• Independent scores and comments 

• Returned to NIJ for review 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External Peer Review Selection Criteria 

• Statement of the Problem 15% 

– Understanding of the problem, research questions, and awareness of the state of current research 

• Project Design and Implementation 45% 

– Quality and technical merit 

– Feasibility of project and soundness of methods 

– Awareness of potential pitfalls and how to mitigate them 

• Potential Impact – 20% 

– Ability of the project to contribute a significant scientific or technical advancement to the field 

• Capabilities/Competencies – 15% 

– Demonstrated productivity and experience of the applicant organization and proposed project staff 

– Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff and the 

scope/strategies of the project 

• Budget 5% 
 

 

Internal Review 

• Consists of NIJ scientific staff, NIJ leadership, and other subject matter 

experts 

• Review external peer review scores and comments 

• Formulate funding recommendations 

All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the NIJ Director! 
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES & CRITIQUES 
 

 

Critiques Raised During Peer Review Process 

• Statement of the Problem 

– Statement fails to identify gaps in the current literature or understanding 

of current research. 

– The literature review is insufficient. 

– The scope of the proposed research is extremely limited or too ambitious. 
 

 

 

Critiques Raised During Peer Review Process 

• Research Design 

– The overall research design is not well articulated. 

– The proposed research design/methods approach does not logically flow 

from the problem statement, research questions and literature review. 

– The proposed research questions are not derived from the literature 

review. 

– The proposed sample size is not supported by a power analysis. 
 

 

 

Critiques Raised During Peer Review Process 

• Research Design (continued) 

– The research design is to too ambitious and too complex. 

– Proposed research design is not clearly laid out. 

– The proposed sampling strategy is flawed or too ambitious. 

– The proposed quantitative analyses is vague and unclear. 

– The data collection and analysis plan is confusing. 
 

 

 

Critiques Raised During Peer Review Process 

• Capabilities and Competencies 

– The Principal Investigator (PI) does not demonstrate familiarity or 

proficiency with the proposed quantitative analysis. 

– The dissemination plan lacks specificity and/or is not innovative. 
Tips 

Proposals should be: 

– Well-written 

– Innovative 

– Timely 

– Rigorous and well-designed 

– Feasible 

– Impactful 
 

What Will NOT be Funded 

• Unresponsive applications 

• Duplicative/similar research 

• Applications to purchase equipment/materials/supplies, etc. 

• Training/direct services unrelated to project 

• Applications that don’t respect data and privacy concerns 

• Applications solely studying political views 

• Projects designed to expose research participants to extremist 

content 
 

Specific Issues Related to Domestic Radicalization & 

Terrorism Applications 

• Letters of support: Failure to achieve sample 

• Politics vs. extremism 

• Exposing research subjects to extremist recruitment materials 
 

 

 

FAQs 

• Award amount + period of performance 

• Topic areas: Pick one 

• Timing of award and non-award notifications 

• Foreign entities / subrecipients / co-investigators 

• Ph.D. Students 

• Overhead Costs 

• Filling and submitting forms / IRB / HSP / New Investigator 
 

 

Support 

• National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center (NCJRS) 

– Phone: (800) 851-3420 

– Email: grants@ncjrs.gov | responsecenter@ncjrs.gov 

– Web chat: https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp 

• Grants.gov 

– 1-800-518-4726 

support@grants.gov 

• JustGrants: 

– Toll-free: +1 (833) 872-5175 

– Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov 
Recommended Resources 

• OJP Funding Resource Center: https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm 

• DOJ Grants Financial Guide: 

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm 

• NIJ Funding FAQs: https://www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/faqs.aspx 

• NIJ Domestic Radicalization & Violent Extremism Portfolio: 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/domestic-radicalization-and-violentextremism 
 

Questions? 

Please enter your questions into the Q&A box 

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