U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice 

is seeking applications for funding research to improve the understanding of the 

accuracy, reliability, and measurement validity of forensic science disciplines. Research 

studies should focus on expanding the scientific basis of forensic methods, development 

of quantifiable measures of the reliability and accuracy of forensic analyses, and 

development of an understanding of human factors that may affect forensic analyses. 

This program furthers the Department’s mission by sponsoring research to provide 

objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of 

crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels. 

Solicitation: 

Fundamental Research to Improve 

Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, 

and Measurement Validity of Forensic 

Science Disciplines

Eligibility

(See “Eligibility,” page 5) 

Deadline 

 Registration with the Office of Justice Programs’ Grant Management System 

(GMS) is required prior to application submission. 

(See “Registration,” page 4) 

All applications are due June 22, 2009, 11:45 p.m. eastern time. 

Contact Information 

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Gerald Laporte, 

Forensic Policy Program Manager, at 202-305-1106 or Gerald.Laporte@usdoj.gov.

This application must be submitted through the Office of Justice Programs’ Grants 

Management System (GMS). For technical assistance with submitting the application, 

call the Grants Management System Support Hotline at 1–888–549–9901, option 3. 

Note: The GMS Support Hotline hours of operation are Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. to 

9 p.m. eastern time. 

SL# 000878 
CONTENTS 

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

Deadline: Registration....................................................................................................... 4 

Deadline: Application ........................................................................................................ 5 

Eligibility ............................................................................................................................ 5 

Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations ................................................ 5 

American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Tribes and/or Tribal Organizations.... 6 

Specific Information ........................................................................................................... 6 

Performance Measures ..................................................................................................... 9 

How to Apply................................................................................................................... 10 

What an Application Must Include................................................................................... 11 

Selection Criteria............................................................................................................. 12 

Review Process .............................................................................................................. 13 

Additional Requirements................................................................................................. 14 

2
 
Fundamental Research to Improve 

Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, 

and Measurement Validity of Forensic 

Science Disciplines

CFDA No. 16.560 

Overview 

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

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

Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based 

knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ 

solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and 

practice. 

NIJ seeks qualified applicants to conduct research to improve the understanding of the 

accuracy, reliability, and measurement validity in the forensic science disciplines. In this 

solicitation, the term “validity” refers to the extent of the truth of an inference based upon 

scientific measurement. In other words, what is the extent to which relevant scientific 

evidence supports an inference as being true or correct?1 This solicitation does not 

address subjective, qualitative, or legal analyses of validity. 

In February of 2009, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released its NIJ-funded 

report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.2 Among 

other recommendations, NAS outlined the need to improve the scientific foundations of 

the forensic disciplines, particularly those that are dependent on qualitative analyses and 

expert interpretation of observed patterns. In recent years, NIJ and other agencies have 

funded scientific studies in every major forensic discipline, including research to improve 

the scientific foundations of specific analytical techniques (see 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/awards/welcome.htm). Some of these research projects 

have examined accuracy and reliability associated with qualitative disciplines, such as 

toolmark analysis (e.g., see “Statistical Validation of the Individuality of Guns Using 3D 

Images of Bullets,” NCJ 213674, Benjamin Bachrach, March 2006), document 

examination (e.g., see “On the Discriminability of the Handwriting of Twins,” NCJ 

222357, Sargur Srihari Ph.D.; Chen Huang M.S.; Harish Srinivasan M.S., Journal of 

Forensic Sciences, 53, 2, March 2008, 430–446), and latent print examination (e.g., see 

“Computation of Likelihood Ratios in Fingerprint Identification for Configurations of Three 

Minutiae,” NCJ 216796, Cedric Neumann M.Sc.; Christophe Champod Ph.D.; Roberto 

1

 See Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., and Campbell, D. T., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental 

Designs for Generalized Causal Inference, New York: Houghton-Mifflin, 2002. See also Kerlinger, 

F. N. and Lee, H. B., Foundations of Behavioral Research (Fourth Edition), New York: 

Wadsworth, Thomson Learning, 2000. 

2

 As with other NIJ-funded research, and as indicated in the NAS report, the opinions, findings, 

conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the NAS report are those of the authors, and do 

not necessarily reflect those of NIJ or the Department of Justice. 

3
 
Puch-Solis Ph.D.; Nicole Egli M.Sc.; Alexandre Anthonioz M.Sc.; Didier Meuwly Ph.D.; 

Andie Bromage-Griffiths Bs.C., Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51, 6, November 2006, 

1255–1266). With respect to impression evidence, NIJ has funded a wide variety of 

research programs, including studies to examine the permanence of fingerprints, the 

quantitation of latent print matching, and faster, more accurate capture of ten-print data. 

In addition, NIJ has funded research to improve the use of forensic and other techniques 

in the criminal justice system. These studies include an empirical examination of the use 

of DNA evidence in solving high-volume crimes (see 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/forensics/dna/property-crime/welcome.htm). Similar 

efforts include a study of the accuracy of voice-stress analysis for deception detection 

(see http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/259/voice-stress-analysis.htm). In addition, 

many researchers have performed relevant studies to address the scientific foundations 

of forensic disciplines. 

With this solicitation, NIJ intends to extend this prior work to examine the methods used 

by forensic scientists so that a more complete understanding of the scientific basis of 

physical, chemical, biological, digital, or other forensic evidence can be achieved. 

Studies are also needed to develop quantifiable measures of the reliability and accuracy 

of forensic analyses. Such studies should examine various processes within forensic 

methods, from initial acceptance and examination of evidence for probative value and 

quality to final assessment of forensic results. NIJ encourages applicants to propose 

new approaches to these problems, including quantitation of methods that are currently 

qualitative in nature. 

Researchers may also examine potential systemic errors in forensic practice. Similar to 

professionals in other fields, forensic scientists may be subject to human observer bias, 

whether it is related to contextual bias, perceptual errors, or other factors. NIJ 

encourages applicants to propose studies that examine potential human or systemic 

errors in forensic practice, including studies that propose to examine the interaction 

between forensic practitioners and other criminal justice practitioners. 

To the greatest extent feasible, NIJ seeks a full understanding of quantifiable measures 

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

uncertainty. Studies should also establish limits of reliability and accuracy that forensic 

methods can achieve due to varying conditions of forensic evidence. With this 

solicitation, NIJ does not seek proposals that automate or otherwise improve the 

efficiency of forensic methods, except when improvements to the understanding or 

practice of forensic methods may result from the fundamental research programs that 

are the subject of this solicitation. Applicants are encouraged to review prior research 

work and improve the breadth and methodology of those studies, if necessary, to 

develop a full understanding of the reliability and accuracy of forensic techniques. 

Deadline: Registration 

Applicants must register with GMS prior to applying. The deadline to register is 

11:45 p.m. eastern time on June 22, 2009. 

4
 
Deadline: Application 

The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is June 22, 2009, 

11:45 p.m. eastern time. 

Eligibility 

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

agreements with, States (including territories), local governments (including federally 

recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions), nonprofit 

and profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit and profit organizations), institutions of 

higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), and certain qualified 

individuals. Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign institutions of higher 

education are not eligible to apply. 

Federal agencies are eligible to apply for funding under this solicitation. If an award is 

made to a Federal agency, it will be through an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with the 

National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. 

Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations: Consistent with Executive Order 

13279, dated December 12, 2002, and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, faith-based and other 

community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under DOJ 

programs are invited and encouraged to apply for assistance awards to fund eligible 

grant activities. Faith-based and other community organizations will be considered for 

awards on the same basis as other eligible applicants and, if they receive assistance 

awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the administration of 

such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be discriminated for or against on the 

basis of its religious character or affiliation, religious name, or the religious composition 

of its board of directors or persons working in the organization. 

Faith-based organizations receiving DOJ assistance awards retain their independence 

and do not lose or have to modify their religious identity (e.g., remove religious symbols) 

to receive assistance awards. DOJ grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any 

inherently religious activity, such as prayer or worship. Inherently religious activity is 

permissible, although it cannot occur during an activity funded with DOJ grant funds; 

rather, such religious activity must be separate in time or place from the DOJ-funded 

program. Further, participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be 

voluntary. Programs funded by DOJ are not permitted to discriminate in the provision of 

services on the basis of a beneficiary’s religion. 

If your organization is a faith-based organization that makes hiring decisions on the 

basis of religious belief, it may be entitled, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 

42 U.S.C. § 2000bb, to receive Federal funds and yet maintain that hiring practice, even 

if the law creating the funding program contains a general ban on religious discrimination 

in employment. For the circumstances under which this may occur, and the certifications 

that may be required, please see the section titled “Funding to Faith-Based 

Organizations” on the "Other Requirements for OJP Applications" Web page at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

5
 
Applicants are also encouraged to review the “Civil Rights Compliance” section of the 

“Other Requirements for OJP Applications” Web page, which also can be found at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Tribes and/or Tribal Organizations: If a 

grant application is being submitted on behalf of a tribe or tribal organization, a current 

authorizing resolution of the governing body of the tribal entity or other enactment of the 

tribal council or comparable government body authorizing the inclusion of the tribe or 

tribal organization named in the application must be included with the application. 

Specific Information—Research to Improve 

Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, and 

Measurement Validity of Forensic Science Disciplines 

NIJ, through its Office of Science and Technology (OST), is the national focal point for 

work on law enforcement technologies, including corrections, investigative, and forensic 

technologies, as well as technologies that support the judicial process. NIJ administers 

programs that improve the safety and effectiveness of, and criminal justice agency 

access to, these technologies through research, development, testing, and evaluation. 

NIJ seeks qualified applicants to conduct research to improve the understanding of the 

accuracy, reliability, and measurement validity in the forensic science disciplines within 

the context of their criminal justice applications. Through this solicitation, NIJ seeks 

qualified applicants to conduct validation studies and research to improve the scientific 

foundation of individual disciplines across the following categories: 

1. Firearms and toolmark identification. 

2. Questioned documents. 

3. Trace evidence, with emphasis on microscopic examination techniques. 

4. Fire debris analysis and arson scene investigations. 

5. Latent print and other pattern/impression evidence. 

6. Blood pattern analysis. 

7. Digital evidence. 

The most competitive proposals under this solicitation will address the following: 

•	 Strengths and limitations of each procedure. 

•	 Sources of bias and variation. 

•	 Quantification of uncertainties created by these sources. 

•	 Measures of performance. 

•	 Procedural steps in the process of analyzing forensic evidence. 

•	 Methods to continuously monitor and improve the steps in the forensic 

evidence analysis process. 

Applicants may propose any one of these specific issues for study, or ideally, a 

combination of these issues. Areas of interest include: 

1. Studies that examine the degree of accuracy and reliability of methods used by 

forensic scientists so that a more complete understanding of the scientific basis 

of physical, chemical, biological, digital, or other forensic evidence can be 

6
 
achieved. Validation studies provide statistical characterization of specific 

methods with respect to issues such as rates of false positives. Such studies can 

examine the system of a forensic discipline, such as the ACE-V method 

employed by latent print examiners. Such studies can also examine various 

processes within forensic methods, from initial acceptance and examination of 

evidence for probative value and quality to final assessment of forensic results. 

Applicants may refer to the NAS study to examine its view of methods of 

validation and gaps in understanding in particular cases. NIJ encourages studies 

to examine current practice to provide error rates, especially studies that are 

based on error rates in actual forensic practice and not on certification tests. This 

solicitation does not cover routine validation of accepted laboratory methods for 

use in a particular laboratory. 

2. Research designed to further a full understanding of quantifiable measures of 

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

uncertainty. Studies should also establish limits of reliability and accuracy that 

forensic methods can achieve due to varying conditions of forensic evidence. NIJ 

is particularly interested in proposals for fundamental research that will advance 

the forensic science disciplines in criminal justice by answering basic research 

questions of measurement validity, accuracy, reliability, and error. NIJ does not 

seek proposals with the primary goal of automating or otherwise improving 

forensic methods, although it is expected that these fundamental studies will 

improve the throughput of forensic methods and may examine the interaction of 

the forensic examiner with automated tools. 

3. Research designed to develop new approaches to forensic analysis, including 

quantitation of analyses that are currently qualitative in nature. For example, in 

the development of quantitative studies related to friction ridge analysis and other 

impression evidence, applicants should review NIJ’s previous solicitation, 

“Quantitative Research on Friction Ridge Patterns” (see 

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000698.pdf). NIJ encourages studies that 

leverage prior work in this area. 

4. Research to examine human factors affecting forensic practice, including 

potential systemic errors. This area also includes studies that examine the 

interaction between forensic practitioners and other criminal justice practitioners. 

Errors may have many origins, such as simple measurement errors. In forensic 

practice, it may be more important to understand error rates associated with 

systemic issues, such as the likelihood that a particular piece of evidence will be 

correctly associated (or not associated) with a particular source instead of all 

other possible sources. Similar to professionals in other fields, forensic scientists 

may be subject to human observer bias, whether it is related to contextual bias, 

perceptual errors, or other factors. It is expected that a fuller understanding of 

human factors will lead to practices that improve the speed and accuracy of 

forensic analyses through improved practices, management, and professional 

development. 

5. Other fundamental research to improve and expand the scientific basis for 

determining the measurement validity of forensic disciplines; i.e., does a method 

provide results that correspond with a particular scientific hypothesis? What are 

the underlying phenomena or signatures that may be used by forensic scientists? 

7
 
These studies should examine the methods currently used by forensic scientists 

so that a more complete understanding of the scientific basis of physical, 

chemical, biological, digital, or other forensic evidence can be achieved. 

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

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

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

What will not be funded: 

1. Proposals that automate or otherwise improve the efficiency of forensic methods, 

except when improvements to the understanding or practice of forensic methods 

may result from the fundamental research programs that are the subject of this 

solicitation. 

2. Provision of training or direct service. 

3. Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (Your budget 

may include these items if they are necessary to conduct applied research, 

development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

4. Work that will be funded under another specific solicitation. 

Cost of proposed work: Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards 

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

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

and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. 

NIJ anticipates making up to $10 million available in fiscal year 2009 for grants under 

this solicitation, subject to funding availability. In recent years, approximately 8 percent 

of applications to NIJ's annual Science and Technology solicitations have been funded. 

NIJ funding for an individual research or development project rarely exceeds $500,000 

annually, though total funding for projects requiring multiple years to complete has 

exceeded $1 million in some cases. If feasible, NIJ recommends that applicants divide 

the proposed work into discrete phases, with each phase resulting in the delivery of a 

measurable deliverable. Applicants should try to structure the phases so that the funding 

required in any fiscal year will not exceed $500,000. Although NIJ cannot guarantee that 

subsequent phases, stages, or tasks will be funded, this approach will enable NIJ to fund 

the proposed work incrementally, depending on, among other things, the quality of the 

deliverable at the end of each phase, strategic priorities, and the availability of funds. 

However, applicants should not divide their work if it is not feasible to do so without 

impairing the technical and programmatic soundness of their approach. Note: 

Deliverables (e.g., technical reports, proof-of-concept demonstrations, prototypes, etc.) 

will be required at the end of each phase to enable NIJ to assess the progress of the 

work and assist NIJ in making reasoned determinations as to the suitability of funding 

the next phase of the work. 

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

additional funding, ordinarily will not exceed 3 years. 

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

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

Limitation on use of award funds for employee compensation; waiver: No portion 

of any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation may be used to pay 

any portion of the total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) of any employee of the 

8
 
award recipient whose total cash compensation exceeds 110 percent of the maximum 

annual salary payable to a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive 

Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that 

year. (The salary table for SES employees is available at http://www.opm.gov.) 

This prohibition may be waived at the discretion of the Assistant Attorney General for the 

Office of Justice Programs. An applicant that wishes to request a waiver should include 

a detailed justification in the budget narrative for the application. The justification should 

include: the particular qualification and expertise of the individual, the uniqueness of the 

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

undertaken with the grant funds and a statement explaining that the individual’s salary is 

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

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

Performance Measures 

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

Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103–62, applicants who receive funding 

under this solicitation must provide data that measure the results of their work. 

Performance measures for this solicitation are as follows: 

Objective Performance Measures Data Grantee Provides 

Research that improves 

understanding of the 

accuracy, reliability, and 

measurement validity in 

the forensic science 

disciplines. 

1. Relevance to the needs of the 

field as measured by whether the 

grantee’s substantive scope did not 

deviate from the funded proposal or 

any subsequent agency 

modifications to the scope. 

2. Quality of the research as 

assessed by peer reviewers. 

3. Quality of management as 

measured by whether significant 

interim project milestones were 

achieved, final deadlines were met, 

and costs remained within approved 

limits. 

4. If applicable, number of NIJ final 

grant reports, NIJ research 

documents, and grantee research 

documents published. 

1. A final report providing a 

comprehensive overview of the 

project and a detailed description of 

the project design, data, and 

methods; a full presentation of 

scientific findings; and a thorough 

discussion of the implications of the 

project findings for criminal justice 

practice and policy. 

2. Quarterly financial reports, semiannual progress reports, and a final 

progress report. 

3. If applicable, each data set that 

was collected, acquired, or modified 

in conjunction with the project. 

4. If applicable, citation to 

report(s)/document(s). 

9
 
How to Apply 

Grants Management System Instructions. Applications must be submitted through 

OJP’s online Grants Management System (GMS). To access the system, go to 

https://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov. Applicants should begin the process a few weeks prior to 

the GMS registration deadline, especially if this is the first time they have used the 

system. Each application requires a separate GMS registration. For a step-by-step 

guide, visit http://www.ojp.gov/gmscbt/ and refer to the section entitled “External 

Overview: Locating & Applying for Funding Opportunities.” For additional assistance, call 

the GMS Help Desk at 1–888–549–9901 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern 

time. 

Note: OJP will not review any application whose attachments are in Microsoft 

Vista or Microsoft 2007 format. Applications submitted via GMS must be in the 

following formats: Microsoft Word (*.doc), Word Perfect (*.wpd), PDF files (*.pdf), or Text 

Documents (*.txt), and may include Microsoft Excel (*.xls) files. GMS is not yet 

compatible with Vista and cannot yet process Microsoft Word 2007 documents saved in 

the new default format with the extension “.docx.” Please ensure that Word documents 

you are submitting are saved using "Word 97–2003 Document (*.doc)" format. 

Additionally, GMS does not accept executable file types as application attachments. 

These disallowed file types include, but are not limited to, the following extensions: 

".com," ".bat," ".exe," ".vbs," ".cfg," ".dat," ".db," ".dbf," ".dll," ".ini," ".log," ".ora," ".sys," 

and ".zip." 

CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this 

solicitation is 16.560, titled “National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and 

Development Project Grants.” 

A DUNS number is required: The Office of Management and Budget requires that all 

businesses and nonprofit applicants for Federal funds include a DUNS (Data Universal 

Numbering System) number in their application for a new award or renewal of an award. 

Applications without a DUNS number are incomplete. A DUNS number is a unique ninedigit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of 

entities receiving Federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to 

validate address and point-of-contact information for Federal assistance applicants, 

recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS number will be used throughout the grant life 

cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, simple, one-time activity. Obtain one by 

calling 1–866–705–5711 or by applying online at http://www.dnb.com/us. Individuals are 

exempt from this requirement. 

Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is required: In addition to the DUNS number 

requirement, OJP requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for Federal financial 

assistance maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 

database. The CCR database is the repository for standard information about Federal 

financial assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have 

previously submitted applications via Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it 

is a requirement for Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must 

update or renew their CCR at least once per year to maintain an active status. 

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

10
 
What an Application Must Include 

Applications should include the following: 

Standard Form 424 

Program Narrative 

The Program Narrative includes: 

a. Abstract (not to exceed 600 words). 

b. Table of contents. 

c. Main body, which includes: 

• Purpose, goals, and objectives. 

• Review of relevant literature. 

• Research design and methods. 

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

• Management plan and organization. 

• Dissemination strategy. 

d. Appendixes (not counted against program narrative page limit) include: 

• Bibliography/References (if applicable). 

• List of key personnel (required). 

• Résumés of key personnel (required). 

• List of previous and current NIJ awards (required). 

• Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from 

organizations collaborating in the project (if applicable). 

• Chart for timeline, research calendar, or milestones (required). 

• Other materials required by the solicitation. 

Budget Detail Worksheet 

The Budget Detail Worksheet should address the full scope, duration, and cost of the 

project. It should include a breakdown of costs associated with each budget category, 

including itemizations and calculations where necessary. 

The budget must be broken down on a year-by-year basis over the length of the project. 

That is, if the proposed project is 3 years, then there should be separate budgets for 

year one, year two, and year three. 

Templates for filling out the Budget Detail Worksheet may be found online at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf, OJP Standard Forms & 

Instructions. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Chief Financial 

Officer's Customer Service Center at 1–800–458–0786. 

Budget Narrative 

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

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

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

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

figures. 

11
 
As with the Budget Detail Worksheet, the Budget Narrative must be broken down on a 

year-by-year basis. 

Indirect Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

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

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

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

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

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

submit an indirect cost rate proposal at 

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

Other Program Attachments 

These include several forms, available on OJP’s funding page at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. 

Page limit: The program narrative section of your application must not exceed 25 

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

charts, figures, appendixes, and government forms do not count toward the 25-page limit 

for the narrative section. 

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

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

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

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

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

supported with non-Federal contributions. 

Selection Criteria 

Successful applicants must demonstrate the following: 

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

Project/Program Design and Implementation (Quality and technical merit)—40% 

1. Understanding of the issues of accuracy, reliability, and/or measurement validity 

in the forensic science disciplines within the context of their criminal justice 

applications as it relates to the proposed work. 

2. Relevance of the proposed work for accomplishing the objectives of this 

solicitation.
 

3. Soundness of the approach for accomplishing the proposed work. 

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). 

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

applicants)—20% 

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff. 

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

12
 
3. Adequacy of the plan to manage the project, including how various tasks are 

subdivided and resources are used. 

4. Successful past performance on NIJ grants and contracts (when applicable). 

Budget—10% 

1. Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit. 

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

3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

Impact/Outcomes and Evaluation (Relevance to policy and practice)—20% 

1. Potential for significant advances in scientific or technical understanding of the 

area of research. 

2. Potential for significant advances in the field. 

3. Relevance for improving the policy and practice of criminal justice and related 

agencies and improving public safety, security, and quality of life. 

4. Affordability and cost-effectiveness of proposed end products, when applicable 

(e.g., purchase price and maintenance costs for a new technology or cost of 

training to use the technology). 

5. Perceived potential for commercialization and/or implementation of a new 

technology (when applicable). 

Relevance of the project for policy and practice: 

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

connect technical expertise with criminal justice policy and practice. To ensure that the 

project has strong relevance for policy and practice, some researchers and technologists 

collaborate with practitioners and policymakers. You may include letters showing support 

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

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

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

implications for others across the country. 

Review Process 

OJP is committed to ensuring a standardized process for awarding grants. NIJ reviews 

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

understandable, measurable, achievable, as well as consistent with program or 

legislative requirements as stated in the solicitation. 

Peer reviewers will be reviewing the applications submitted under this solicitation as 

well. NIJ may use either internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a 

combination of both to review the applications under this solicitation. An external peer 

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

a current U.S. Department of Justice employee. An internal reviewer is an expert in the 

field of the subject matter of a given solicitation who is a current U.S. Department of 

Justice employee. Applications will be screened initially to determine whether the 

applicant meets all eligibility requirements. Only applications submitted by eligible 

applicants that meet all other requirements (such as timeliness, proper format, and 

responsiveness to the scope of the solicitation) will be evaluated, scored, and rated by a 

peer review panel. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are 

13
 
advisory only. In addition to peer review ratings, considerations may include, but are not 

limited to, underserved populations, strategic priorities, past performance, and available 

funding. 

After the peer review is finalized, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), in 

consultation with NIJ, conducts a financial review of all potential discretionary awards 

and cooperative agreements to evaluate the fiscal integrity and financial capability of 

applicants; examines proposed costs to determine if the budget and budget narrative 

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

necessary, and allowable under applicable Federal cost principles and agency 

regulations. OCFO also reviews the award document and verifies the OJP Vendor 

Number. 

When awards will be made: All applicants, whether they are accepted or rejected, will 

be notified. The review and approval process takes about 6 months. You should not 

propose to begin work until at least 6 months after the application deadline on the cover 

of this solicitation. Also, you should not expect to receive notification of a decision for at 

least 6 months after that date. Lists of awards are updated regularly on NIJ’s Web site at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding/welcome.htm. 

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

all final grant award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), 

who may also give consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved 

populations, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding when making 

awards. 

Additional Requirements 

Successful applicants selected for an award must agree to comply with additional 

applicable requirements prior to receiving grant funding. We strongly encourage you to 

review the list below pertaining to these additional requirements prior to submitting your 

application. Additional information for each can be found at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

• Civil Rights Compliance 

• Funding to Faith-Based Organizations 

• Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protection 

• Anti-Lobbying Act 

• Financial and Government Audit Requirements 

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

• DOJ Information Technology Standards 

• Single Point of Contact Review 

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• Nonsupplanting of State and Local Funds 

• Criminal Penalty for False Statements 

• Compliance With Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/ 

• Suspension or Termination of Funding 

• Nonprofit Organizations 

• For-Profit Organizations 

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 

• Rights in Intellectual Property 

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

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

materials, including: 

Final substantive report: The final report should be a comprehensive overview of the 

project and should include, among other things, a detailed description of the project 

design, data, and methods; a full presentation of scientific findings; and a thorough 

discussion of the implications of the project findings for criminal justice practice and 

policy. It must contain an abstract of no more than 600 words and an executive summary 

of no more than 2,500 to 4,000 words. 

A draft of the final report, abstract, and executive summary must be submitted 90 days 

before the end date of the grant. The draft final report will be peer reviewed upon 

submission. The reviews will be forwarded to the principal investigator with suggestions 

for revisions. The author must then submit the revised final report, abstract, and 

executive summary by the end date of the grant. The abstract, executive summary, and 

final report must be submitted in both paper and electronic formats. 

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

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

with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133. Future awards and fund 

drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. 

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