Methodological Research to Support the Redesign of the National Crime Victimization Survey | Apply Online

FAQs: BJS Methodological Research to Improve the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

1. What is this funding opportunity about?

This Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) discretionary funding opportunity supports methodological research intended to help redesign and improve the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The focus is on practical, testable research that can be translated into future NCVS practice.

2. Why is BJS funding research to redesign the NCVS?

The NCVS is a core federal source of information about criminal victimization, including crimes that are never reported to police. Because NCVS design choices affect how accurately the nation measures crime and understands who is most affected, BJS is funding research to strengthen the survey's methods and results.

3. What is the NCVS?

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is a federal survey that produces information about criminal victimization, including incidents that may not be captured in police-reported statistics.

4. What is the research basis for this solicitation?

The solicitation is rooted in a formal expert review that BJS requested in 2006 from the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies. The NRC panel evaluated the NCVS and issued recommendations in the 2008 report, "Surveying Victims: Options for Conducting the National Crime Victimization Survey."

5. Which NRC committees were involved in the review?

The panel was organized through the Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT), in collaboration with the Committee on Law and Justice (CLAJ).

6. What is the central purpose of the grant?

The central purpose is to fund studies that address one of four priority recommendations identified in the NRC report. BJS is seeking focused methodological work that can be evaluated and then used to inform an eventual NCVS redesign.

7. What kinds of projects is BJS looking for?

BJS is looking for targeted methodological research tied directly to one of the four priority recommendation areas. Examples described in the opportunity include alternative design approaches, improved data collection methods, or other survey research innovations that can be evaluated and translated into NCVS practice.

8. Are broad proposals about crime measurement eligible?

The opportunity emphasizes that BJS is not seeking broad or general proposals about crime measurement. The intent is targeted methodological work aligned to the identified priority recommendation areas.

9. How many priority areas can an applicant propose?

Applicants may propose work in more than one priority area. However, the solicitation requires a separate proposal for each priority area.

10. What does it mean that each priority area requires a separate proposal?

A separate proposal must be submitted under the corresponding competitive number for each priority area. This approach indicates BJS expects focused projects with clear deliverables and evaluation plans rather than one umbrella project covering multiple areas in a single submission.

11. What type of award is expected under this opportunity?

Awards are planned as cooperative agreements rather than simple grants.

12. How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant in this solicitation?

The listing highlights that cooperative agreements typically involve more ongoing collaboration, guidance, and involvement from the funding agency during the project. Recipients should expect to coordinate with BJS on research direction, milestones, data considerations, and how findings are documented and shared for use in a federal statistical program.

13. How many awards did BJS anticipate making?

BJS anticipated making up to four awards under this solicitation.

14. Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

15. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is relatively broad. Both nonprofit and for-profit organizations may apply.

16. Are there special rules for for-profit applicants?

Yes. For-profit applicants must follow Office of Justice Programs (OJP) fiscal rules that prohibit earning profit from the award or charging a management fee. Budgets should reflect allowable costs for performing the work, not a profit margin.

17. What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is listed as "Information and Statistics."

18. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 16.734, titled "Special Data Collections and Statistical Studies."

19. What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 2008 BJS 1834.

20. When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on April 15, 2008.

21. What was the original closing date, and was it extended?

The original closing date was May 15, 2008, and it was later extended to May 29, 2008.

22. What does the archive date mean for this listing?

The archive date is June 14, 2008, which indicates when the listing was set to be retired from active posting.

23. What is the main goal BJS wants from funded projects?

The emphasis is on rigorous methodological research that produces practical, decision-relevant evidence BJS can use to inform how the NCVS is conducted in the future, with results documented and shared in ways that support a federal statistical program.

24. Who can applicants contact for help obtaining the full announcement?

BJS listed Lisa Price Grear, Program Analyst, as a contact for applicants needing help obtaining the full announcement.

25. What contact information is provided?

Lisa Price Grear, Program Analyst, can be reached at 202-616-3561. The opportunity also referenced a program announcement link for additional information.