Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2009 2005
Apply for NIJ 2009 2005
- The National Institute of Justice in the law, justice and legal services other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY09 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.741 DNA Backlog Reduction Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2009 and posted on Feb 9, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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 NIJ FY09 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement grant opportunity was a discretionary, research-and-development focused cooperative agreement offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S. Department of Justice component responsible for producing objective, evidence-based tools and knowledge to strengthen justice administration and public safety. The program was created in direct response to the growing strain on public forensic DNA laboratories, driven by higher volumes of evidence submissions from both violent and nonviolent cases and by changes in state laws that expanded DNA collection requirements from select offender groups to all felons and, in some places, arrestees. NIJ framed the problem as not just a backlog issue, but a long-term capacity challenge that requires new approaches to how DNA units operate day to day.
The core purpose of the solicitation was to fund projects that measurably improve the efficiency and capacity of public forensic DNA laboratories by developing and adopting better laboratory processes. Rather than simply increasing throughput through routine staffing or standard equipment purchases, NIJ emphasized process improvement and operational change, with priority given to proposals that were novel or innovative and that could be relevant beyond a single jurisdiction. A key program goal was to identify successful, carefully evaluated efficiency methodologies and publish them as model programs that other public forensic labs could consider adopting, meaning applicants needed to think not only about local impact but also about broader applicability and demonstrable results.
Eligibility was aimed primarily at states and units of local government, with the practical intent that eligible public forensic DNA laboratories operating under those entities would propose and carry out the projects. Applications were expected to include a detailed, specific plan explaining how program funds would be used to achieve the solicitation goals, with the highest priority going to implementation-focused proposals that could credibly serve as a publishable model for the forensic community. The opportunity also drew a clear boundary around what it would not support: NIJ would not fund projects that duplicated efforts that were eligible for, and planned to be supported under, the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program. In other words, this program was meant to complement, not replicate, backlog-reduction funding by concentrating on sustainable process innovations that increase efficiency.
Administratively, the opportunity was listed under Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2009 2005 and aligned with CFDA 16.741 (DNA Backlog Reduction Program), reflecting its connection to national DNA capacity concerns even though it targeted process improvement specifically. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied. The solicitation was posted in February 2009, with a closing date in late March 2009 (originally March 23 and later reflected as March 26), and it was archived in June 2009. Award floor and ceiling were not specified in the summary information provided. Applicants were required to submit through Grants.gov, with technical help routed through the Grants.gov support hotline and solicitation-specific questions directed to NIJ program staff contacts listed in the announcement.
FAQs: NIJ FY09 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement (NIJ 2009 2005)
What is the NIJ FY09 Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement opportunity?
It was a discretionary, research-and-development focused cooperative agreement offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice. The solicitation focused on improving the day-to-day efficiency and capacity of public forensic DNA laboratory units through better processes and operational changes.
Why did NIJ create this program?
The program was created in response to increasing strain on public forensic DNA laboratories, including higher volumes of evidence submissions from violent and nonviolent cases and state-law changes that expanded DNA collection requirements (from select offender groups to all felons and, in some jurisdictions, arrestees). NIJ described the challenge as a long-term capacity issue requiring new operating approaches, not only a backlog problem.
What was the core purpose of the grant?
The purpose was to fund projects that measurably improve efficiency and capacity in public forensic DNA laboratories by developing and adopting improved laboratory processes. NIJ emphasized process improvement and operational change rather than routine throughput increases.
What types of projects were NIJ prioritizing?
NIJ prioritized proposals that were novel or innovative, implementation-focused, and capable of producing demonstrable results. Proposals with relevance beyond a single jurisdiction were favored, especially those that could be carefully evaluated and shared with the wider forensic laboratory community.
Was this program intended to be used for routine staffing increases or standard equipment purchases?
The solicitation emphasized process improvement and operational change rather than simply increasing throughput through routine staffing or standard equipment purchases. The focus was on sustainable efficiency methods that improve how DNA units operate day to day.
What does NIJ mean by "publishable model program"?
A key goal was to identify successful, carefully evaluated efficiency methodologies and publish them as model programs that other public forensic DNA laboratories could consider adopting. Applicants were expected to plan for demonstrable results and broader applicability, not just local improvements.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was aimed primarily at states and units of local government, with the practical intent that eligible public forensic DNA laboratories operating under those entities would propose and carry out projects.
Did the solicitation require a specific project plan in the application?
Yes. Applications were expected to include a detailed, specific plan explaining how funds would be used to achieve the solicitation goals, with the highest priority going to implementation-focused proposals that could credibly serve as a model for the forensic community.
How did this opportunity relate to the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program?
NIJ drew a clear boundary: it would not fund projects that duplicated efforts that were eligible for, and planned to be supported under, the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program. This solicitation was intended to complement backlog-reduction funding by concentrating on sustainable process innovations that increase efficiency.
What kinds of projects were not supported under this solicitation?
Projects that duplicated efforts eligible for, and planned to be supported under, the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program were not supported. The program was specifically positioned to avoid replicating backlog-reduction activities and to focus on process improvement instead.
What was the funding mechanism used by NIJ?
The opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement and described as discretionary and research-and-development focused.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number was NIJ 2009 2005.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The solicitation was aligned with CFDA 16.741 (DNA Backlog Reduction Program), reflecting its connection to national DNA capacity concerns even though it targeted process improvement specifically.
Was there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied to this opportunity.
When was the solicitation posted and when did it close?
The solicitation was posted in February 2009. The closing date was in late March 2009 and was reflected as March 23 originally and later as March 26.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived in June 2009.
Were the award floor and award ceiling specified?
No. The award floor and ceiling were not specified in the summary information provided.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applicants were required to submit through Grants.gov.
Where could applicants get technical help with Grants.gov submission?
Technical help was routed through the Grants.gov support hotline.
Who should applicants contact for solicitation-specific questions?
Solicitation-specific questions were directed to NIJ program staff contacts listed in the announcement.
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