NIJ FY 2022 Invited to Apply - Research on the Impact of Public Policy on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Justice System | O NIJ 2022 171403

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NIJ FY 2022 Invited to Apply opportunity?

This is a discretionary research grant opportunity from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), within the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP). It supports investigator-initiated, evidence-based, nonpartisan research focused on how public policy could reduce observed racial and ethnic disparities across the justice system.

What is the main purpose of this solicitation?

The core purpose is to fund rigorous analysis of existing evidence (including available data and prior research) to understand how justice-related public policies may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities, and what policy levers or implementation changes could narrow those gaps.

What kinds of research approaches are emphasized?

The solicitation emphasizes empirical, evidence-based, nonpartisan analysis. It prioritizes work that credibly connects policy choices to measurable disparity outcomes, identifies mechanisms that produce unequal impacts, and clarifies where policy reform or implementation adjustments could reduce disparities.

Does the solicitation prioritize new data collection or analysis of existing evidence?

The emphasis is on rigorous analysis of what is already known or already documented through available data and prior research, rather than advocacy or politically driven framing.

How does this opportunity align with OJP priorities?

The opportunity is aligned with OJP priorities that include civil rights and racial equity, access to justice, support for victims and justice-involved individuals, stronger community safety, protection from crime and emerging threats, and improved trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Is this opportunity open to all applicants?

No. This is an "invited to apply" solicitation. Only applicants that received an official invitation letter from NIJ are eligible to submit an application. The invitation letter governs eligibility requirements and functions as the gatekeeping document.

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The funding opportunity number is O-NIJ-2022-171403.

What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?

The CFDA number listed is 16.560.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $49,837.

Is this funding provided as a grant or a contract?

This opportunity is a grant, not a contract.

What category of funding does this opportunity fall under?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

What were the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date was July 15, 2022. The posting reflects a creation date of July 14, 2022, indicating a narrow, time-bounded, invitation-only competition.

Are partnerships allowed as part of an application?

Yes. Partnerships are allowed and can be important, particularly when projects involve criminal justice agencies or other government entities that control administrative data or provide operational insights.

What documentation is expected when an application includes partner agencies?

NIJ expects a strong letter of support from each partnering agency. These letters must be signed by an appropriate decision-making authority and may use wet signatures or electronic/digital signatures.

What specific commitment must be included in partner letters of support?

The letter of support must explicitly acknowledge that any de-identified data derived from, provided to, or obtained through the project will be archived with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) at the end of the award period.

Is archiving data with NACJD optional?

No. The data archiving expectation is not optional. Applicants and partners are encouraged to review NACJD policies and protections in advance and plan early for de-identification, documentation, and data management.

If selected for funding, when must formal agreements with partner agencies be in place?

If NIJ selects a project for funding, the grantee is expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by July 1, 2023.

What must the formal partner agreement include regarding data archiving?

The agreement must include language that enables the required NACJD data archiving.

How should an application be structured if multiple agencies are collaborating and more than one would receive federal funds?

Only one entity can submit the application as the applicant. Any other participating entities that will receive federal funds to carry out part of the work must be included as subrecipients.

Are there special eligibility or compliance conditions related to Executive Order 13929 (Safe Policing for Safe Communities)?

Yes. For state, local, and university or college law enforcement agencies, eligibility for FY 2022 DOJ discretionary grant funding requires certification by an approved independent credentialing body or documented initiation of the certification process.

What policy conditions are required under the Executive Order certification?

The certification hinges on two mandatory policy conditions: (1) the agency use-of-force policies must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and (2) those policies must prohibit chokeholds except where deadly force is legally authorized.

Does the Executive Order certification requirement apply to subrecipients?

Yes. The certification requirement applies not only to direct recipients but also to law enforcement agencies receiving DOJ discretionary funds through a subaward. This is especially relevant if a proposal includes law enforcement partners as subrecipients.

Where does the solicitation point applicants for Executive Order standards and credentialing bodies?

The solicitation references the COPS Office Safe Policing EO webpage for details, standards, implementation guidance, and a list of designated credentialing bodies.

Is there a restriction on charging profit or management fees under this award?

Yes. A strict cost principle applies: all recipients and subrecipients, including any for-profit organizations, must forgo any profit or management fee. Funds must be used for allowable project costs rather than profit-taking or management markups.

What is the statutory authority for NIJ to make these awards?

The statutory authority is Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, specifically Sections 201 and 202.