FAQ Listing

Application proposals are expected to stand on their own merits, within the guidance provided by the notice of funding opportunity. Applications containing hyperlinks will be advanced to peer review. However, as is the case with applications where the proposal narrative fails to comply with the format requirements specified in the notice of funding opportunity, NIJ may consider that in peer review and in final award decisions.

Review the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the following FAQs.

Because notices of funding opportunity are competitive, NIJ staff cannot have individual conversations concerning the notice of funding opportunity with prospective applicants.

For assistance with a specific notice of funding opportunity, contact the OJP Response Cent​er: toll-free at 1-800-851-3420; via TTY at 301-240-6310 (hearing impaired only); email [email protected]; or fax to 301-240-5830.

All proposed projects must be submitted through an applicable and posted notice of funding opportunity. The proposal must respond to the objectives and requirements in the notice of funding opportunity. We encourage you to review the current and forthcoming funding pages for notices of funding opportunity under which your idea might fit.

In general, NIJ funds evaluations of programs, not program delivery or development. But funding may be used to support the collection of data by program staff, for example. At the same time, NIJ encourages researcher/practitioner partnerships for the purpose of developing evidence-based practices and policies. A general rule is that the higher the percentage of funds that appears to support the program itself, the less likely it is that reviewers will consider the application to merit research and evaluation funding from limited resources.

Generally, NIJ provides funding to:

• Educational institutions.
• Public agencies.
• Nonprofit organizations.
• Faith-based organizations.
• Individuals.
• Profitmaking organizations willing to waive their fees.
• Federal agencies, unless specifically stated otherwise in the notice of funding opportunity document.
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFDRC). If the notice of funding opportunity does not indicate that applications from “federal agencies” will be accepted, the FFRDC has the option of applying as its private sector entity type, whatever that may be (for-profit, non-profit, etc.), and a grant or cooperative agreement could be awarded to the entity that administers the FFRDC.

Some notices of funding opportunity have special eligibility criteria, which are defined in the notice.

Non-U.S. entities are not eligible for awards. All grant awards are made to U.S. institutions. Where appropriate, however, a U.S. grantee may subcontract with a non-U.S. institution or individual for work necessary to complete project tasks. Such subcontracting is usually anticipated and included in the original grant proposal.

NIJ typically does not fund proposals that are primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. However, you may budget for such items if they are necessary to conduct applied research, development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.

Typically, NIJ funds may not be used for training. 

If your needs for training do not fall under these exceptions, the following resources may be of help:

• Bureau of Justice Assistance
• FEMA's Emergency Management Institute 

You may apply to each of the several notices of funding opportunity that carry the same OMB number, but each notice separate and independent and requires a separate application. OMB numbers are administrative or inventory number that applies to multiple notices of funding opportunity.