NIJ FY 10 Officer and Vehicle Safety for Law Enforcement Applications | Apply Online

FAQs: NIJ FY 10 Officer and Vehicle Safety for Law Enforcement Applications (NIJ 2010 2390)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) FY 10 Officer and Vehicle Safety for Law Enforcement Applications opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2010 2390). It is a discretionary funding program focused on research and development intended to measurably improve the safety of law enforcement officers and other criminal justice practitioners.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

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

What type of funding instrument will NIJ use?

Awards are issued as cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that awards are "cooperative agreements"?

In this program, a cooperative agreement typically indicates NIJ expects active involvement in the project, such as collaboration, technical input, or ongoing coordination, rather than only providing funds with minimal engagement.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program is under CFDA 16.560, titled National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is open to unrestricted applicants, meaning virtually any qualified entity may apply, as long as it meets any conditions spelled out in the full solicitation.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the information provided.

What is the main focus of the research NIJ wants to fund?

NIJ is focused on research and development that can measurably improve safety for law enforcement officers and other criminal justice practitioners, particularly as it relates to officer safety and vehicle-related safety issues.

What are the specific research areas highlighted by NIJ?

NIJ highlights four specific research areas: (1) alternative lighting and paint schemes on patrol vehicles, (2) safety of mounted equipment inside patrol vehicles during a vehicle accident, (3) methods for officers to carry personal equipment currently in use, and (4) assessment of exposure to hazardous materials in the line of duty.

What does NIJ want to learn about alternative lighting and paint schemes on patrol vehicles?

NIJ is seeking studies on whether changes in vehicle visibility and conspicuity (through alternative lighting and paint schemes) can reduce crashes, roadside strikes, or other operational hazards.

What does the opportunity mean by the safety of mounted equipment inside patrol vehicles?

This research area is focused on how in-car mounted equipment may affect safety during a vehicle accident, including concerns that installed items could become dangerous projectiles or contribute to injuries during collisions. Examples mentioned include in-car technologies, weapon mounts, partitions, consoles, and other installed gear.

What is meant by "methods for officers to carry personal equipment currently in use"?

This area can include research on ergonomics, injury prevention, and load distribution, along with practical tradeoffs such as duty belt versus vest-borne systems and how equipment carrying methods affect access, comfort, and safety.

What is included in the assessment of hazardous materials exposure?

This research area addresses risks from chemical, biological, and other toxic exposures encountered in the line of duty. Examples provided include exposures during traffic stops, clandestine labs, overdose response, fires, and contaminated environments, with an emphasis on understanding exposure pathways and improving protective practices.

How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Grants Management System (GMS), which is the web-based platform used for the grant lifecycle from application through award management.

Why does NIJ recommend starting the GMS process early?

The guidance emphasizes starting early, especially for first-time users, because delays in creating accounts, validating information, or navigating system requirements can jeopardize on-time submission.

Where can applicants find step-by-step GMS registration and submission instructions?

Step-by-step instructions are available through the GMS computer-based training resource at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/.

Who should be contacted for technical help with GMS?

For technical issues with GMS, applicants should contact the GMS Help Desk at GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov or call 1-888-549-9901 (option 3).

What are the GMS Help Desk hours?

The GMS Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date is January 26, 2010. The creation date is January 29, 2010. The application closing date is March 12, 2010 (the original and current closing dates match). The opportunity was archived on June 12, 2010.

When is the application due?

The application closing date is March 12, 2010.

How many awards are expected?

The listing references an expected 100 awards.

What is the award amount (floor and ceiling)?

The award ceiling and floor are both shown as 0 in the summary record. This commonly indicates that specific funding ranges are not provided in the summary and would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation document.

Who can applicants contact for programmatic questions (not technical submission issues)?

Applicants needing programmatic assistance are directed to the NIJ point of contact Brian Montgomery, Physical Scientist, at 202-353-9786 or brian.montgomery@usdoj.gov.

Who should applicants contact if they are having trouble submitting in GMS?

If the issue is technical and related to the GMS system itself, applicants are directed to contact the GMS Help Desk (GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov; 1-888-549-9901, option 3). For non-technical, program-related questions, applicants are directed to NIJ point of contact Brian Montgomery (brian.montgomery@usdoj.gov; 202-353-9786).