NIJ FY 09 Forensic DNA Research and Development | Apply Online

FAQs: NIJ FY 09 Forensic DNA Research and Development (NIJ 2009 1937)

What is the NIJ FY 09 Forensic DNA Research and Development opportunity?

This is a discretionary, competitive solicitation from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice within the Office of Justice Programs. The opportunity supports applied research and development that strengthens how DNA is used in forensic casework and criminal justice decision-making.

What is the main goal of this program?

The central aim is to support new or improved technologies that make the identification, collection, preservation, and analysis of crime scene DNA evidence faster and more reliable, while reducing cost and hands-on labor. The broader intent is to help laboratories and investigators obtain more usable information from biological evidence more consistently and with fewer processing bottlenecks.

What kinds of projects is NIJ looking for?

NIJ is looking for applied research and development projects focused on improving forensic DNA technologies and workflows used in real-world casework. Emphasis is placed on improvements that increase speed, reliability, consistency, and practicality in forensic settings.

Does the solicitation emphasize any particular stage of forensic DNA work?

Yes. The solicitation places strong emphasis on innovations that improve earlier, "front end" stages of forensic DNA work. These are the stages where evidence can be lost, contaminated, mischaracterized, or consumed inefficiently before full DNA profiling occurs.

What does "front end" mean in the context of this solicitation?

Based on the description provided, "front end" refers to activities such as locating biological material, collecting it properly, preserving it so it remains suitable for later testing, and streamlining initial processing steps prior to full DNA profiling.

What high-priority technical problem areas are highlighted?

The solicitation highlights several high-priority areas that commonly limit forensic interpretation and throughput, including:

• Physical separation of components in a DNA mixture (separating multiple contributors so individual profiles are clearer and easier to interpret)
• Body fluid or cell type identification and characterization (determining what biological material is present and describing it in ways that aid reconstruction and interpretation)

What does NIJ mean by "physical separation of components in a DNA mixture"?

This refers to tools or methods that can separate DNA contributions from multiple people in a mixed sample so that the resulting individual profiles are clearer and easier to interpret.

What does "body fluid or cell type identification and characterization" involve?

This includes technologies that determine what kind of biological material is present, such as differentiating between blood, saliva, semen, or specific cell populations, and characterizing that material in a way that supports forensic interpretation and reconstruction.

Is NIJ interested in developing or improving genetic markers for forensic use?

Yes. NIJ signals interest in the identification or characterization of biological marker systems that could provide additional or more powerful information about the source of evidence. The description notes that this can include markers that strengthen discrimination, improve performance with challenging samples, or add interpretive value beyond conventional approaches.

Are projects focused on degraded or otherwise difficult DNA evidence relevant to this solicitation?

Yes. A major focus is improving tools for compromised evidence, including DNA that is aged, degraded, present in very limited quantities, chemically inhibited, physically damaged, or otherwise difficult to analyze using standard methods.

Does the solicitation encourage new approaches to genetic profiling?

Yes. The solicitation encourages novel methods for genetic profiling, reflecting interest in next-generation or alternative profiling strategies that could outperform existing workflows in speed, sensitivity, robustness, or interpretability.

What type of award is NIJ expecting to make under this opportunity?

Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements. This typically indicates NIJ anticipates substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination around milestones, deliverables, or evaluation expectations, rather than a fully hands-off grant structure.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The funding listing notes no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the program is broadly open to various types of entities, subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 16.560, titled National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

• Posted date: November 13, 2008
• Application deadline: December 29, 2008
• Archive date: January 29, 2009

What is the funding amount for awards under this solicitation?

The published award ceiling and floor are listed as 0 in the source data. That typically indicates applicants needed to consult the full solicitation document for actual funding ranges, anticipated award sizes, or budget constraints.

Is this opportunity competitive?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary, competitive solicitation.

What should applicants do if they have technical issues with Grants.gov submission?

Submission-related technical issues are directed to the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov.

Who can be contacted for programmatic questions about the solicitation?

For programmatic questions about solicitation requirements, the point of contact is Lois Tully, Deputy Chief in NIJ's Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division. She can be reached at 202-307-0694 or lois.tully@usdoj.gov.

What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NIJ 2009 1937.