Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2011 2806
Apply for NIJ 2011 2806
- The National Institute of Justice in the law, justice and legal services science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Scientific Research to Support Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.560 National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 12, 2011 and posted on Jan 12, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 12, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) grant opportunity titled "Basic Scientific Research to Support Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes" is a discretionary funding program focused on strengthening the scientific foundations of forensic science as it is used in the criminal justice system. The solicitation invites proposals for basic scientific research across the physical sciences, life sciences, and cognitive sciences, with the central goal of expanding fundamental knowledge that underpins forensic disciplines. Rather than emphasizing immediate operational deployment or near-term product development, the program is aimed at research that deepens understanding of the principles, mechanisms, measurement issues, and human factors that affect the reliability and interpretation of forensic evidence used in investigations and court proceedings.
The opportunity was issued by NIJ, which is the research, development, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. The legal authority supporting the program is rooted in Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202), as well as section 232 of the Homeland Security Act. Those authorities frame NIJ's role in advancing research and development relevant to justice and public safety, including improvements to methods and practices that influence casework outcomes and judicial decision-making. The program sits at the intersection of law, justice, and legal services and science and technology research and development, reflecting an intention to fund rigorous scientific work that ultimately improves the quality and defensibility of forensic evidence.
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically implies more active federal involvement than a standard grant. In many federal programs, this structure can mean the agency expects ongoing coordination, reporting, and sometimes collaboration or substantial programmatic interaction during the project period. The solicitation indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement, lowering a common barrier for applicants who may not have access to non-federal funds to pair with an award.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any clarifications included in the full solicitation. In practical terms, programs with this language often attract applications from universities, non-profit research organizations, private laboratories, and other public or private entities capable of conducting foundational scientific research. The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA number 16.560, "National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants," which is the federal assistance listing associated with NIJ research funding.
Administratively, the funding opportunity number is NIJ 2011 2806. The solicitation was posted and created on January 12, 2011, with an original and current closing date of April 12, 2011, and an archive date of July 12, 2011. NIJ projected up to 100 expected awards, suggesting an intention to fund a relatively large set of research efforts or a mix of smaller and larger projects, depending on the budget structures described in the full announcement. The award ceiling and floor are both listed as 0 in the summary data, which usually indicates that specific award size parameters were not captured in this dataset and would instead be detailed in the full solicitation document.
For applicants or interested parties who needed support, NIJ provided a dedicated contact email for solicitation and program questions at forensic.research@ojp.usdoj.gov. Technical assistance for submitting an application through Grants.gov was directed to the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 8005184726 or via email at support@grants.gov. The listing also references an additional information link where the full solicitation announcement could be accessed, which would contain the detailed requirements on research topics of interest, evaluation criteria, deliverables, reporting expectations, budget rules, and other conditions that govern submission and award management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NIJ funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Basic Scientific Research to Support Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes."
Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?
The program is offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research, development, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is intended to strengthen the scientific foundations of forensic science as used in the criminal justice system by funding basic scientific research that expands fundamental knowledge underlying forensic disciplines.
What kinds of research does the solicitation invite?
The solicitation invites proposals for basic scientific research across the physical sciences, life sciences, and cognitive sciences, focused on expanding fundamental knowledge that supports forensic science in criminal justice contexts.
Is this funding aimed at near-term product development or operational deployment?
No. The emphasis is on basic scientific research rather than immediate operational deployment or near-term product development.
What types of scientific issues is the program trying to address?
The program emphasizes research that deepens understanding of principles, mechanisms, measurement issues, and human factors that affect the reliability and interpretation of forensic evidence used in investigations and court proceedings.
How is this award funded (grant, contract, or cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
It indicates the award mechanism typically involves more active federal involvement than a standard grant and may include ongoing coordination, reporting, and potentially substantial programmatic interaction during the project period.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any clarifications contained in the full solicitation.
Where does this program fit in terms of subject area?
The program sits at the intersection of law, justice, and legal services and science and technology research and development, with the intent to fund rigorous scientific work that improves the quality and defensibility of forensic evidence.
What is the legal authority for this NIJ program?
The legal authority is rooted in Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202) and section 232 of the Homeland Security Act.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 16.560, "National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is NIJ 2011 2806.
When was the solicitation posted?
The solicitation was posted (and created) on January 12, 2011.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is April 12, 2011.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is July 12, 2011.
How many awards did NIJ expect to make?
NIJ projected up to 100 expected awards.
Is there a minimum or maximum award amount listed?
The summary data lists the award ceiling and floor as 0, which usually means specific award size parameters were not captured in this dataset and would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation.
Where can applicants find the detailed requirements and evaluation criteria?
The listing references an additional information link where the full solicitation announcement could be accessed. That full document would contain details such as topics of interest, evaluation criteria, deliverables, reporting expectations, budget rules, and other conditions.
Who should be contacted with solicitation or program questions?
Questions about the solicitation and program can be directed to NIJ at forensic.research@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Who provides technical help for submitting through Grants.gov?
Technical assistance for Grants.gov submissions is available through the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 8005184726 or by email at support@grants.gov.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NIJ 2011 2806) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NIJ FY 09 Fundamental Research to Improve Understanding of the Accuracy, Reliability, and Measurement Validity of Forensic Science Disciplines Apply for NIJ 2009 2229 Funding Number: NIJ 2009 2229 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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