FAQ Listing

The statement should:

• Describe the current status of the proposed work.
• Outline any pending milestones, academic or otherwise, toward completion of the degree.
• Acknowledge availability to assist the student in complying with Human Subjects Protection and Privacy requirements (if applicable).
• Describe the committee chair’s role in monitoring the project and verify that the committee chair will review and approve all performance reports prior to submission to NIJ.

No specific format is required. The old NIH Fellowship Biosketch format is being phased out in favor of the NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form, which does retain the Personal Statement section. For the FY25 GRF funding cycle, either format is acceptable to NIJ. For future fiscal year funding opportunities, the Common Form format is likely to be requested or required by NIJ.

Review the following FAQs.

If the total amount available is known, it will be noted in the notice of funding opportunity, but often the amount depends on future congressional appropriations.

NOTE 1: In general, funding for science and technology research development projects rarely exceeds $500,000 annually, though total funding for projects requiring several years to complete has exceeded $1 million or more. If feasible, NIJ recommends that applicants divide the proposed work into discrete phases, with each phase resulting in the delivery of a measurable deliverable. Applicants should try to structure the phases so that the funding required in any fiscal year will not exceed $500,000. This will enable NIJ to fund the proposed work incrementally, depending on: the quality of the deliverable at the end of each phase, emerging priorities, and the availability of funds. However, applicants should not divide their work if it is not feasible to do so without impairing the technical and programmatic soundness of their approach.

NOTE 2 : Deliverables (e.g., technical reports, proof-of-concept demonstrations, prototypes, etc.) will be required at the end of each phase to enable NIJ to assess the progress of the work and make reasoned determinations as to the suitability of funding the next phase of the work.

An award made by NIJ under a notice of funding opportunity may account for up to 100% of the cost of the project. However, the application should indicate whether it is feasible for the applicant to contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-federal support for the project. If feasible, the application should identify the contributions. The proposed budget should indicate in detail which items will be supported with non-federal contributions. If an application that is selected for award proposes a voluntary match, and the budget is approved, the match amount becomes mandatory and subject to audit.

If your organization spends $750,000 or more of Federal funds during the fiscal year, you must submit an organization wide financial and compliance audit report as specified in DOJ Grants Financial Guide, 3.19 Audit Requirements. The audit must be performed in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office Government Auditing Standards. Detailed information regarding the independent audit is available in 2 CFR part 200.

Although the degree of specificity of any budget will vary depending on the nature of the project and OJP agency requirements, a complete, well-thought-out budget serves to reinforce your credibility and increase the likelihood of your proposal being funded. The narrative you enter in the Budget Detail Worksheet should clearly connect your budget to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

Allowable costs are listed in the Financial Guide. Interpretations or clarifications on the Financial Guide can be addressed to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer's Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786.

No. However, a basic consideration in funding decisions is the expected yield relative to the total cost of the project, including indirect costs.

The Negotiated Rate Agreement refers to the grantee's indirect cost agreement. This agreement establishes the rate you will need to budget your indirect costs. Further details can be found in the Financial Guide, see Indirect Costs.