With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for two categories of investigator-initiated research: (1) studies that examine how observed racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system might be reduced through public policy intervention at any point during the administration of justice and (2) studies that advance knowledge and practice, policy, or both regarding the intersections of race, ethnicity, crime, and justice within the United States.
Solicitation Overview
Public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education; nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Small businesses; Local, state, and special district governments; and units of local government.
This solicitation aims to: 1) identify policy interventions that have the potential to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system and guide future research and testing of promising interventions; 2) advance knowledge and practice, policy, or both regarding the intersections of race, ethnicity, crime, and justice within the United States; 3) translate and disseminate research findings to diverse stakeholder audiences to improve practice and policy through science; 4) build an enhanced capability to conduct rigorous justice research and evaluation projects through the mentoring of junior researchers by scholars advanced in their careers.
Up to $2,000,000
Category 1: W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars — Researchers who are advanced in their careers (awarded an academic or research doctorate terminal degree at least seven years prior to December 31, 2023) may apply for grants for research, evaluation, and mentoring of less experienced researchers.
Category 2: W.E.B. Du Bois Fellows — Researchers who are early in their careers (awarded an academic or research doctorate terminal degree within seven years of December 31, 2023) may apply for grants for research and evaluation.
- Studies that examine how observed racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system might be reduced through public policy intervention at any point during the administration of justice.
- Studies that advance knowledge and practice, policy, or both regarding the intersections of race, ethnicity, crime, and justice within the United States.
The following application elements must be included in the application to meet the basic minimum requirements to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding:
- A proposal narrative (via JustGrants)
- General Mentorship Plan under the Scholars category
- A budget web-based form, which includes the budget details and the budget narrative describing and justifying costs (in JustGrants)
- Curriculum Vitae/Resumes for Key Personnel (For purposes of this solicitation, “key personnel” means all investigators regardless of status (i.e., principal investigator [PI], subaward PI, co-principal investigator [Co-PI], subaward Co-PI, co-investigator [Co-I], subaward Co-I, investigator[I], and subaward-I), senior staff (e.g., project leader/director/manager, senior technical advisor), and any other technical staff (e.g., consultants, statistician, project coordinator, research associate, data coordinator).
Start early! To apply, you must first register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration and renewal can take up to 10 business days to complete. Register with SAM.gov.
After registering with SAM, you must submit two forms the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov by the Grants.gov deadline 11:59pm eastern time on May 16, 2024. Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline.
Finally, after submitting both forms, you must then submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants by the JustGrants deadline 8:59pm eastern time on May 30, 2024.
Where applicable, NIJ seeks proposals that:
- Propose an inclusive research design.
- Address issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and other potential disparities in data sources, research methods, and outcomes.
- Propose a multi-disciplinary research team.
- Ensure rigorous measurement of implementation fidelity.
- Allocate ample resources for translation and dissemination of research findings.
A successful proposal must do the following:
- Center the need for the proposed research within the existing body of knowledge.
- Present a rigorous and feasible project design that is appropriate to address the question(s) of interest.
- Demonstrate that the proposed team has the capabilities and competencies to carry out the project.
- Describe how the research will address one or more U.S. safety and justice challenges, including a discussion of how relevant stakeholders can make the resulting knowledge products actionable.
- Present a budget that demonstrably supports the work proposed in the application.
See examples of successful applications and other useful information.
The email address for submitting letters of intent, found on page 12, has
been corrected. The correct address is [email protected].