Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2015 3985
Apply for NIJ 2015 3985
- 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 "NIJ FY 15 Research and Development in 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 Feb 10, 2015 and posted on Jan 8, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 8, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $15,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $15,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 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) FY 15 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2015 3985) is a discretionary funding program designed to support research that strengthens forensic science as it is used throughout the criminal justice system. The solicitation focuses on both basic and applied research and development that can either expand the scientific evidence base behind forensic policies and everyday laboratory practices, or produce tangible innovations such as materials, devices, systems, or analytical methods that could be used in forensic casework. At its core, the program is aimed at turning solid scientific research into practical forensic improvements that help identify, analyze, and interpret physical evidence more effectively in real investigations.
A major theme of the opportunity is improving the quality and usefulness of forensic results. NIJ emphasizes developing methods that are highly discriminating (better at telling similar sources apart), accurate and reliable (repeatable and scientifically defensible), cost-effective (realistic for laboratories to adopt and sustain), and rapid (faster turnaround without sacrificing quality). This covers the full pipeline of forensic science work, from recognizing what evidence is present, to analyzing it with validated techniques, to interpreting and communicating results in ways that are meaningful for criminal justice decision-making. The solicitation also signals that NIJ is interested in research that connects broader scientific and engineering advances to forensic applications, not only projects already rooted in traditional forensic disciplines.
Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with operational needs identified by NIJ and the forensic community, including priorities discussed at NIJ's FY 2015 Forensic Science Technology Working Group meeting. The solicitation points applicants to NIJ's published forensic operational requirements as a proposal development aid, essentially serving as a needs statement that reflects what practitioners and laboratories are struggling with and where improved technology, methods, standards, or knowledge would have real impact. While the opportunity supports foundational science, it is clearly oriented toward results that can eventually translate into improved practice, policy, and outcomes in criminal justice contexts.
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates NIJ expects a level of ongoing involvement beyond a standard grant, such as collaboration, coordination, or structured engagement during the project period. The program anticipates making about 40 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $15,000,000. The award floor is listed as $1,000 and the ceiling is listed as $15,000,000, reflecting a wide potential range in project size depending on the scope and funding strategy NIJ ultimately uses. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces barriers for applicants that may not have non-federal funds available to contribute.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full solicitation text. The funding activity categories cover law, justice, and legal services as well as science, technology, and other research and development, underscoring that NIJ expects projects to be scientifically rigorous while also having clear relevance to criminal justice needs and the forensic evidence process.
Key timeline details include a posted date of January 8, 2015, and an application closing date of April 8, 2015 (with the same date shown as both original and current closing dates). The opportunity was later archived on June 8, 2015. Applications were submitted through Grants.gov, and the solicitation includes practical guidance for applicants who experience technical submission problems, including the requirement to notify NIJ within 24 hours after the deadline if a Grants.gov issue beyond the applicant's control prevented timely submission.
For support, the announcement directs applicants with submission problems to the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline and support email, while questions about solicitation requirements or programmatic issues are directed to NIJ via forensic.research@usdoj.gov. Applicants are also pointed to NIJ's general funding information and FAQ pages for broader guidance on NIJ application expectations and processes.
FAQs: NIJ FY 15 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes (NIJ 2015 3985)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) FY 15 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2015 3985). It is a discretionary funding program intended to support research and development that strengthens forensic science as it is used across the criminal justice system.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to translate strong scientific research into practical improvements in forensic science that help criminal justice practitioners identify, analyze, interpret, and communicate physical evidence more effectively in real investigations.
What kinds of projects does NIJ want to fund under this solicitation?
The solicitation supports both basic and applied research and development. Projects may either (1) expand the scientific evidence base behind forensic policies and routine laboratory practices, or (2) produce tangible innovations such as new materials, devices, systems, or analytical methods that could be used in forensic casework.
Does the solicitation focus only on traditional forensic disciplines?
No. NIJ signals interest in research that connects broader scientific and engineering advances to forensic applications, not only projects already rooted in traditional forensic science disciplines.
What characteristics does NIJ emphasize for funded methods or technologies?
NIJ emphasizes improvements that increase the quality and usefulness of forensic results, including methods and approaches that are highly discriminating, accurate and reliable, cost-effective, and rapid (faster turnaround without sacrificing quality).
What does “highly discriminating†mean in this context?
In this solicitation, “highly discriminating†refers to methods that are better at telling similar sources apart, improving the ability to differentiate between potential contributors or origins of evidence.
What does NIJ mean by accurate and reliable forensic results?
The opportunity highlights results that are repeatable and scientifically defensible, supporting consistent performance and trustworthy conclusions in forensic work.
Why does NIJ highlight cost-effectiveness?
NIJ is looking for solutions that are realistic for forensic laboratories to adopt and sustain, recognizing practical constraints on budgets, staffing, and long-term operational use.
Does NIJ prioritize faster forensic processes?
Yes. NIJ emphasizes rapid approaches that reduce turnaround time while maintaining quality, reflecting the need for timely results in criminal justice decision-making.
Which parts of the forensic workflow are relevant to this solicitation?
The solicitation covers the full pipeline of forensic science work, including recognizing what evidence is present, analyzing it using validated techniques, and interpreting and communicating results in ways that are meaningful for criminal justice decisions.
How should applicants align their proposals with NIJ’s needs?
Applicants are encouraged to align proposals with operational needs identified by NIJ and the forensic community, including priorities discussed at NIJ’s FY 2015 Forensic Science Technology Working Group meeting.
Are there NIJ resources that describe forensic operational needs?
Yes. The solicitation points applicants to NIJ’s published forensic operational requirements as a proposal development aid. These operational requirements function as a needs statement reflecting challenges faced by practitioners and laboratories and where improvements could have real impact.
Is this opportunity more about foundational research or immediate practice improvements?
It supports foundational science, but it is clearly oriented toward results that can eventually translate into improved practice, policy, and outcomes in criminal justice contexts.
What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates NIJ expects ongoing involvement beyond a standard grant, such as collaboration, coordination, or structured engagement during the project period.
How many awards does NIJ expect to make?
The program anticipates making about 40 awards.
What is the estimated total funding amount for this program?
The estimated total funding amount is $15,000,000.
What are the minimum and maximum award amounts listed?
The award floor is listed as $1,000 and the award ceiling is listed as $15,000,000, reflecting a wide range in potential project size depending on scope and NIJ’s funding strategy.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full solicitation text.
What funding activity categories does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity categories include law, justice, and legal services, as well as science, technology, and other research and development.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posted date is January 8, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application closing date is April 8, 2015 (shown as both the original and current closing date).
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on June 8, 2015.
How were applications submitted?
Applications were submitted through Grants.gov.
What should an applicant do if a technical problem on Grants.gov prevented timely submission?
The solicitation includes guidance for technical submission problems, including a requirement to notify NIJ within 24 hours after the deadline if a Grants.gov issue beyond the applicant’s control prevented timely submission.
Where can applicants get help with Grants.gov submission issues?
Applicants with submission problems are directed to the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline and the Grants.gov support email.
Where should programmatic or solicitation requirement questions be sent?
Questions about solicitation requirements or programmatic issues are directed to NIJ at forensic.research@usdoj.gov.
Are there NIJ resources for general application guidance?
Yes. Applicants are pointed to NIJ’s general funding information and FAQ pages for broader guidance on NIJ application expectations and processes.
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