Expert Systems Technologies for Criminal Justice Applications | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Expert Systems Technologies for Criminal Justice Applications".

Which federal agency offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

What program is this opportunity part of?

It was offered under NIJ's Research, Evaluation, and Development Projects Grants program.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 16.560.

What was the broader goal of NIJ's program in this solicitation?

The broader goal was to strengthen criminal justice policy and practice in the United States by supporting research, development, and evaluation projects that produce practical improvements for agencies and practitioners.

What type of projects was NIJ specifically looking for in this solicitation?

NIJ was looking for proposals focused on expert systems technology built for handheld computing devices, especially tools that can capture and replicate the decision-making processes of highly experienced criminal justice professionals.

What is meant by "expert systems" in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, "expert systems" refers to technology designed to emulate the cognitive and decision-making processes of expert criminal justice practitioners, then use those models to guide less-experienced practitioners in real time.

What was the core idea behind the technology NIJ wanted to support?

The core idea was transferring expertise to less-experienced personnel through technology, so that frontline staff could follow expert reasoning pathways and best practices more consistently.

What outcomes was NIJ aiming for with these handheld expert systems?

The intended outcomes included better-informed decisions by frontline personnel, more consistent adherence to best practices, and improved performance and outcomes in realistic field environments.

What are the primary use cases NIJ envisioned for these handheld expert systems?

NIJ envisioned two main use cases: training (teaching judgment and decision pathways) and operational deployment (supporting day-to-day work with structured guidance aligned with expert reasoning).

Did NIJ expect projects to be research, development, or evaluation focused?

Yes. NIJ sought projects that would research, develop, or evaluate handheld expert systems for criminal justice applications.

What funding instrument was used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this opportunity used a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates a more active role for the funding agency during the project compared with a standard grant.

Was cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was open to any type of applicant organization, subject to any conditions or clarifications contained in the full solicitation.

What types of organizations might fit the "unrestricted" eligibility description?

Based on the unrestricted eligibility description, potential applicants could include universities, research organizations, nonprofits, private firms, and state or local agencies, including partnerships combining criminal justice operational expertise with technical expertise.

What kinds of technical or subject-matter expertise did NIJ indicate could be relevant?

The solicitation context suggests relevance for expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, human factors, and mobile computing, alongside criminal justice practitioner knowledge.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on November 9, 2010.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was February 7, 2011.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was May 7, 2011.

How were applications expected to be submitted?

Applications were expected to be submitted through the federal Grants.gov system.

Where could applicants get help with submission issues?

Applicants needing submission help were directed to Grants.gov customer support.

Who was the programmatic point of contact for this opportunity?

The programmatic point of contact listed was John Kaplan, General Engineer.

What legal authorities were cited for this solicitation?

The solicitation was issued under authorities including Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202) and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (section 232).

Did the summary provide the award amount range (ceiling and floor)?

The summary record listed an award ceiling and floor as 0, which is often a placeholder. Applicants were expected to consult the full solicitation for anticipated funding levels, project periods, deliverables, and any special requirements.

What should applicants consult for details like funding levels and deliverables?

Applicants were expected to consult the full solicitation for anticipated funding levels, project periods, deliverables, and any special requirements.

What kind of environment was NIJ expecting these technologies to work in?

NIJ emphasized that the technology should work as intended in realistic criminal justice environments, supporting frontline personnel in training and/or operational settings.

What was NIJ effectively inviting proposals to demonstrate?

NIJ was inviting proposals that could demonstrate how handheld expert systems might improve the consistency, quality, and effectiveness of practitioner decision-making, while also generating evidence through research or evaluation that the technology works as intended.