Title: Crime Mapping Research: Funding for Spatial Data Analysis Series: Solicitation Author: National Institute of Justice Published: June 2001 Subject: Grants and Funding 8 pages 15,000 bytes --------------------------- Figures, charts, forms, and tables are not included in this ASCII plain-text file. To view this document in its entirety, download the Adobe Acrobat graphic file available from this Web site or order a print copy from NCJRS at 800-851-3420 (877-712-9279 for TTY users). --------------------------- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice National Institute of Justice Solicitation June 2001 Crime Mapping Research: Funding for Spatial Data Analysis APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 17, 2001 Revised Deadline: November 19, 2001 --------------------------- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 For grant and funding information, contact: Department of Justice Response Center 800-421-6770 Office of Justice Programs World Wide Web Site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov National Institute of Justice World Wide Web Site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij --------------------------- Crime Mapping Research: Funding for Spatial Data Analysis Introduction NIJ's Crime Mapping Research Center (CMRC) requests proposals for research that utilizes and/or develops leading-edge spatial analytic methods. A wide variety of research topics that explore the use of spatial data analysis for criminal justice research and practice are anticipated . Established in 1997, the goal of the CMRC is the promotion, research, evaluation, development, and dissemination of GIS (geographic information systems) technology and the spatial analysis of crime. Toward that goal, approximately $300,000 is being made available for this solicitation to support between five and seven awards. Supported projects are to be conducted within one year. Topics In recent years, NIJ has made a number awards in the area of crime mapping. Ongoing projects include: (1) efforts to forecast crime hot spots; (2) examinations of the utility of GIS for probation agencies; and (3) the development of spatial analysis software tools. (The NIJ Portfolio of Active Awards -- http://nij.ncjrs.org/portfolio/ -- can be queried for a complete listing of ongoing crime mapping projects.) While these and other projects have done much to advance spatial analysis in the field of criminal justice, more is yet to be learned. This solicitation provides a unique opportunity for the support of studies of crime and justice issues that are theoretically derived and empirically tested using multivariate and inferential spatial analytic methods. NIJ is particularly interested, though not exclusively, in innovative proposals that address the following areas: o Continued development of spatial crime- forecasting models; o Spatial analysis techniques for discrete criminal events; o Innovative uses of spatial analyses to assess criminal justice system policies and practices; o Spatial analytic approaches to identifying problems and evaluating solutions in rural, American Indian, and Alaskan Native communities; o Comparative analyses of serial offender identification methods. Proposals for equipment or software acquisition will not be considered. Applicants should also be aware that GIS implementation proposals will not be considered unless tied directly to substantial research/evaluation efforts. Data for Analysis While not expressly prohibited by this solicitation, award limitations may preclude original data collection. As such, proposals are likely to involve the analysis of existing data provided by a partnering practitioner agency or other accessible extant data. NIJ will not support proposals with substantial "data cleansing" budget requirements. Researchers without access to appropriate agency data are encouraged to consider using the collection of Data for GIS Analysis available from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD). The NACJD currently holds more than thirty NIJ sponsored spatially referenced data sets available for download in machine-readable format. NACJD Data for GIS Analysis can be downloaded free of charge from the following URL: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/gis_data.html. In addition to expertise with GIS and spatial analytic methods, applicants should also demonstrate familiarity with the data they propose to analyze and with literature related to the data. Of particular importance is demonstrating that the data are appropriate for proposed analyses, and that measures necessary to conduct proposed analyses are available. Applicants who propose the use of older data sets are encouraged to address the implications for theoretical, policy and practice inferences. NIJ encourages researchers from all disciplines (including geography, criminology, sociology, anthropology; political science, and public administration) to explore opportunities for collaborative efforts presented in this solicitation. NIJ's many directed solicitations are announced throughout the year on NIJ's website, in the Federal Register and on the Justice Information Center website. Interested applicants may also telephone the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) at 800-851-3420 or e-mail askncjrs@ncjrs.com for pending releases and announcement dates. How to Apply Those interested in submitting proposals in response to this solicitation must complete the required application forms and submit related required documents. (See below for how to obtain application forms and guides for completing proposals.) Applicants must include the following information/forms to qualify for consideration: o Standard Form (SF) 424--application for Federal assistance o Proposal abstract o Table of contents o Program narrative o References o Geographic Areas Affected Worksheet o Assurances o Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (one form) o Disclosure of Lobbying Activities o Budget Detail Worksheet o Budget Narrative o Negotiated indirect rate agreement (if appropriate) o Names and affiliations of all key persons from applicant and subcontractor(s), advisors, consultants, and advisory board members. Include name of principal investigator, title, organizational affiliation (if any), department (if institution of higher education), address, phone, and fax o Resumes o List of previous NIJ awards, their status, and products in NIJ or other publications o Privacy certificate o Form 310 (Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/ Certification/ Declaration) o Environmental Assessment (if required) o Letters of cooperation from organizations collaborating in the research project o Appendixes, if any Proposal abstract. The proposal abstract, when read separately from the rest of the application, is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work. Applicants must concisely describe the research goals and objectives, research design, and methods for achieving the goals and objectives. Summaries of past accomplishments are to be avoided, and proprietary/confidential information is not to be included. Length is not to exceed 400 words. Use the following two headers: Project Goals and Objectives: Proposed Research Design and Methodology: Page limit. The number of pages in the "Program Narrative" part of the proposal must not exceed 30 (double-spaced pages). Use of tables, charts, and figures are encouraged and will not be counted in page limitations. Due date. Ten (10) copies of completed proposals must be received at the National Institute of Justice by 5:00 p.m. on November 19, 2001. Extensions of these deadlines will not be permitted. Faxed or E-mailed applications will not be accepted. Award period. Awards will be made to support research to be conducted within a one year period. Applicants should anticipate a start date three months after the application deadline. Number of awards. NIJ anticipates supporting between five and seven grants under this solicitation. Amount of awards. A total of up to $300,000 will be made available to support awards under this solicitation. Applying. Applicants should obtain two packets: (1) application forms (including a sample budget worksheet) and (2) guidelines for submitting proposals (including requirements for proposal writers and requirements for grant recipients). To receive them, applicants can: o Access the Justice Information Center on the Web: http://www.ncjrs.org/ fedgrant.htm#nij or the NIJ Web site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ nij/funding.htm - These Web sites offer the NIJ application forms and guidelines as electronic files that may be downloaded to a personal computer. o Request hard copies of the forms and guidelines by mail from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at 800-851-3420 or from the Department of Justice Response Center at 800-421-6770 (in the Washington, D.C., area, at 202-307-1480). o Request copies by fax. Call 800-851-3420 and select option 1, then option 1 again for NIJ. Code is 1023. Confidentiality of information and human subjects protection. NIJ has adopted policies and procedures regarding the confidentiality of information and human subjects protection. Please see the Guidelines for Submitting Proposals for National Institute of Justice-Sponsored Research for details on the new requirements. The Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations at 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 22 require recipients of NIJ research funds to protect personally identifiable information that is collected from all research participants. The regulations at 28 CFR Part 22 require applicants for NIJ funding to outline their plans for the protection of private information about individuals as part of a Privacy Certificate, which is submitted as part of their proposal. In addition to the regulations in Part 22, DOJ has adopted policies on the protection of human subjects that are the same as those established by the Department of Health and Human Services in 45 CFR Part 46, Subpart A, also known as the "Common Rule." The DOJ regulations are set forth in 28 CFR Part 46. In general, 28 CFR Part 46 requires that all research involving human subjects conducted or supported by a federal department or agency be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before federal funds are expended for that research. If IRB approval is required for this project, a copy of the IRB's approval as well as supporting documentation concerning the IRB's institutional affiliation, its polices and procedures, and necessary assurances must submitted to the National Institute of Justice prior to the initiation of any research activities that are not exempt from the provisions of 28 CFR Part 46. Reporting Requirements. One responsibility of the NIJ is to ensure that funded works can be fully replicated. Toward that end, the following products are required: o Abstract (400 words) o Executive Summary (2,500 words) o Technical Report o Including fully articulated formulas/models that are developed o Data and supporting codebook o Annotated program code and software (where appropriate) These requirements are described in NIJ's Guidelines for Submitting Proposals (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding_app.htm) and are included as special conditions in the award package. In order to accommodate the peer review of all grant products, the draft Final Report must be submitted 90 days before the end date of the grant. Applicants should ensure that their proposed time lines reflect these requirements. In addition to the final products described above, grantees are required to submit quarterly financial status reports and semi-annual progress reports. Financial Status Reports. Financial status reports (SF 269-A) are due quarterly on the 45th day following the end of each calendar quarter. A report must be submitted every quarter the award is active even if there has been no financial activity during that reporting period. The final report is due 120 days after the end date of the award. Future awards and fund drawdowns will be withheld if the financial status reports are delinquent. Categorical Assistance Progress Reports. Recipients of funding are required to submit semi-annual Categorical Assistance Progress Reports. The progress report describes activities during the reporting period and the status or accomplishment of objectives as set forth in the approved application for funding. Progress reports must be submitted within 30 days after the end of the reporting periods, which are January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31 for the life of the award. A final progress report, which provides a summary of progress toward achieving the goals and objectives of the award, significant results, and any products developed under the award, is due 120 days after the end date of the award. Report formats will be provided to the recipient by the Office of Justice Programs. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if the progress reports are delinquent. Guidance and information. Applicants who wish to receive additional guidance and information may contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at 800-421-6770. Center staff can provide assistance or refer applicants to an appropriate NIJ professional. Applicants may, for example, wish to discuss their prospective research topics with the NIJ professional staff. Send completed forms to: Crime Mapping Research: Funding for Spatial Data Analysis National Institute of Justice 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 [overnight courier ZIP code 20001] --------------------------- For more information on the National Institute of Justice, please contact: National Criminal Justice Reference Service Box 6000 Rockville, MD 20849-6000 800-851-3420 e-mail: askncjrs@ncjrs.org You can view or obtain an electronic version of this document from the NCJRS Justice Information Center web site (http://www.ncjrs.org) or the NIJ web site (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij). If you have any questions, call or e-mail NCJRS.