Title: Justice Responses to Repeat Victimization in Cases of Violence Against Women: Call for Concept Papers Series: Solicitation Author: National Institute of Justice Published: December 2003 Subject: Funding sources 13 pages 26,000 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. ---------------------------- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Solicitation Justice Responses to Repeat Victimization in Cases of Violence Against Women: Call for Concept Papers Notice: You must submit your application using the Office of Justice Programs' automated Grants Management System. Paper applications will not be accepted. We suggest you begin the process as soon as possible. To start the process, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. Deadline: 9 p.m. eastern time February 17, 2004 SL 000657 ---------------------------- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 John Ashcroft Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels Assistant Attorney General Sarah V. Hart Director, National Institute of Justice This and other publications and products of the National Institute of Justice can be found on the World Wide Web at: Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij ---------------------------- Justice Responses to Repeat Victimization in Cases of Violence Against Women: Call for Concept Papers I. Introduction The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. The Institute solicits proposals to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. NIJ is soliciting concept papers for research on justice responses to repeat victimization in cases of violence against women. Under this solicitation, women are defined as females age 12 and older. NIJ seeks research that has the potential to be useful in reducing the level of violence against women, increasing the safety of women, and improving criminal justice policy and practice. Due date: The due date is listed on the cover of this announcement and on the NIJ Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. Extensions to the deadline are generally not granted. Page limit: Your concept paper must not exceed 6 double-spaced pages in 12- point font with 1-inch margins. Tables, charts, figures, appendixes, and government forms do not count toward the 6-page limit. Reasons for rejection: NIJ may reject papers that are incomplete, do not respond to the scope of the solicitation, do not comply with format requirements, or are submitted after the deadline. No additions to the original submission are allowed. How to submit proposals to NIJ: If NIJ invites you to submit a full proposal on the basis of your concept paper, you can find complete details about how to apply for funding in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available on the NIJ Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. II. Proposal Topics With this solicitation, NIJ is seeking concept papers for research on justice responses to repeat victimization in cases of violence against women. Violence against women, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking, continues to be a major problem affecting the health and safety of many women throughout the country. The large number of domestic and sexual assaults of women committed each year and the early age at which violence starts for many women suggest that such violence is widespread and must be addressed more effectively in all jurisdictions. Applicants should be familiar with the background that guides this solicitation: the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322) and the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-386), the current NIJ research program on Violence Against Women (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/vawprog/welcome.html), the National Academy of Sciences reports Understanding Violence Against Women and Violence in Families: Assessing Prevention and Treatment Programs, and related research and evaluation. Successful applicants will be expected to submit a detailed plan for ensuring the safety of victims/survivors who are study participants. Proposed projects must be sensitive to the safety and confidentiality needs of victims and to the needs of public agencies and community service organizations that are collaborating in the research. Applicants who will be recruiting subjects as a part of their research are encouraged to consult the NIJ report, "Recruitment and Retention in Intimate Partner Violence Research," available at http://www.ncjrs.org/txtfiles1/nij/201943.txt. For evaluation research, applicants should explicitly describe their definition of success, including what the program seeks to change (e.g., behavior, attitude, or safety), the number of participants who must meet some specified criteria for the program to be considered successful, whether change is required immediately upon entering the program or at some subsequent point in time, and how much change is required for the program to be considered successful. Areas of Interest Several studies of the effectiveness of civil orders of protection have found that they may not be as effective in keeping women safe in cases in which the defendant has a history of violent offenses. NIJ seeks to examine other safety strategies, especially during the pretrial/predisposition period after the defendant has been arraigned or criminal charges have been filed. NIJ is soliciting concept papers for research that will examine various types of justice system responses designed to enhance victim safety and prevent witness intimidation during the pretrial/predisposition period in cases of violence against women, especially intimate partner violence. Topics may include: o Safety measures targeting domestic violence offenders. o Safety measures focusing on domestic violence victims. o Comprehensive community programs designed to enhance safety and prevent revictimization. 1. Safety measures targeting domestic violence offenders. Victim safety is a serious problem during the period when alleged domestic violence offenders are awaiting adjudication and/or sentencing. NIJ is interested in research that examines the effectiveness of interventions that would enhance victim safety during the pretrial/predisposition period. This may include, for example, the use of specialized pretrial release/bail guidelines that identify domestic violence risk factors and encourage appropriate intervention strategies. Research could also examine whether appropriate support structures (e.g., family members, community- or faith-based organizations) incorporated into pretrial release services help stabilize offenders and reduce victim risks. Research may also explore the use of bail conditions requiring the alleged offender to undergo physical and mental health evaluations and to comply with treatment regimens. Such treatment could include drug or alcohol treatment; somatic treatment for diagnosed mental disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder; batterer intervention; or other treatment approaches. Other types of safety measures focusing on offenders could include intensive pretrial supervision and the use of technologies, such as electronic monitoring. NIJ also is interested in whether such strategies increase victim safety when used in conjunction with other approaches such as protection orders. 2. Safety measures focusing on domestic violence victims. NIJ is interested in research on safety measures focusing on the victim. Such measures could include-- o Protection orders and consideration of the criminal record of the alleged abuser in fashioning the protection order. o Safety planning and safety strategies and the use of the alleged offender's criminal history information in designing those strategies. o Effects and enforcement of specific terms of protection orders. o Actions of police and prosecutors. o Use of crime victim notification systems to provide information about the status of a case at critical points, such as the offender's release from custody. o Use of cell phones or other technologies that can alert the victim when the alleged offender is near. NIJ also encourages applicants to examine other victim-focused strategies that could reduce risk to the victim. 3. Comprehensive community programs designed to enhance safety and prevent revictimization. This may include community pretrial/predisposition safety measures. NIJ also is interested in research that examines questions surrounding safety and accountability audits. Such research issues could include whether safety and accountability audits reduce domestic violence, what level of coordination is necessary to effectively use such audits, and whether a single dominant agency can motivate others to improve case-handling processes. III. Guidance for Submitting Concept Papers NIJ requires applicants to submit a 6-page concept paper, not a full-length proposal. The main differences between a concept paper and a full proposal are that concept papers are much shorter than full proposals and do not contain detailed budgets. Both concept papers and full proposals must be submitted through the online Grants Management System (GMS). "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications" and the Office of Justice Programs' Grants Management System handbook describe only the process of submitting applications for full proposals, not concept papers. Thus, applicants should be guided by the following considerations: Your concept paper should state the research objectives and how the work described would contribute to knowledge and practice. Although the concept paper should not include a detailed budget or management plan, it should include an estimate of the funding required, summarized by task, and a general timeframe for completing those tasks and the project as a whole. Use sections IV and V below ("General Requirements and Guidance" and "Selection Criteria") as general guidance for writing your concept paper because you will use it as the basis for your full proposal if you are invited to submit one. Using GMS for concept papers. In the GMS system, select "NIJ VAW Revict." GMS does not consider an application complete until three files are uploaded: Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet and Narrative, and Other Program Attachments. Upload your concept paper in the "Program Narrative" box. Concept papers do not include Budget Detail Worksheets and Narratives and do not include Other Program Attachments. Therefore, you should upload blank files into those boxes in GMS. Review Process. Peer reviewers will evaluate each concept paper. Based on their recommendations and NIJ staff review, the NIJ Director will invite authors of select concept papers to submit full applications. Additional instructions on submitting those full applications to GMS will be provided to selected applicants at that time. IV. General Requirements and Guidance You will find complete instructions for applying in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available on the NIJ Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. The main requirements are outlined below. A. Submit applications online: Paper applications are not accepted. Applications (for both concept papers and full proposals) must be submitted through the Office of Justice Programs' online Grants Management System. NIJ suggests you begin the process early, especially if this is the first time you have used the system. To begin, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. There are three types of documents that can be uploaded to an application package: PDFs, Word Documents, and Text Documents. B. Relevance of the project for policy and practice: Higher-quality proposals clearly explain the practical implications of the project. They connect technical expertise with policy and practice. To ensure that the project has strong relevance for policy and practice, some researchers and technologists collaborate with practitioners and policymakers. You may include letters showing support from practitioners, but they carry less weight than clear evidence that you understand why policymakers and practitioners would benefit from your work and how they would use it. While a partnership may affect State or local activities, it should also have broader implications for others across the country. C. Equal opportunity for all applicants: It is OJP policy that faith-based and community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under OJP programs are invited and encouraged to apply for awards. Faith-based and community organizations will be considered for an award on the same basis as any other eligible applicants and, if they receive awards, will be treated on an equal basis with nonfaith-based and community organization grantees in the administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be discriminated against on the basis of its religious character or affiliation, religious name, or the religious composition of its board of directors or persons working in the organization. D. Cofunding is not required: You are not required to combine NIJ funds with other funds (for example, you do not need matching funds), but if you intend to use multiple funding sources to support your proposed effort, the budget you submit must show the other funds. E. Number of grants to be awarded: NIJ's grant award process is highly competitive. The number of awards to be made depends on the availability of funds and the number and quality of applications received. NIJ anticipates making 2 to 8 awards, depending on the complexity of the study designs and length of the projects. F. When awards will be made: The review and approval process takes several months. Assuming you are invited to submit a full proposal, you should anticipate beginning work no sooner than 6 months after receiving the invitation. Lists of awards are updated regularly on NIJ's Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. G. Financial audits are required: If your organization spends $500,000 or more of Federal funds during the year, you will be required to submit an organization- wide financial and compliance audit report before any award is made. The audit must be performed in accordance with the U.S. General Accounting Office Government Accounting Standards and must conform to Chapter 19 of the Office of Justice Programs' Financial Guide (available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide). You may include the costs of complying with these audits in the proposed budget submitted as part of your full proposal. Detailed information regarding the independent audit is available in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133 (available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars). H. An environmental assessment may be required: All award recipients must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To ensure NEPA compliance, NIJ may require some award recipients to submit additional information. I. New requirement-DUNS number: Beginning October 1, 2003, a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number must be included in every application for a new award or renewal of an award. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant submits an application through the Office of Justice Programs' Grants Management System or using the government-wide electronic portal (http://grants.gov). Full proposals will not be considered complete until a valid DUNS number is provided by the applicant. Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal government are exempt from this requirement. Applicants can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. If you have questions, contact the Office of Justice Programs' Office of the Comptroller's Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786. J. Funds cannot be used to lobby: Under the Anti-Lobbying Act (18 U.S.C. [section] 1913), grantees generally may not use funds to support the enactment, repeal, or modification of any law, regulation, or policy at any level of government. For the complete rules and regulations, see "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications" at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm and OJP's Financial Guide at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide. K. What will not be funded: Typically, NIJ does not fund the following: 1. Provision of training or direct service. 2. Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials or supplies. (Your budget may include these items if they are necessary to conduct applied research, development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis, but NIJ does not fund proposals that are primarily to purchase equipment.) L. Cost of proposed work: $2 million is expected to be available for awards made through this solicitation. NIJ anticipates making 2 to 8 awards depending on funds available and number of high-quality applications. If you propose a project that exceeds the amount of money available for this solicitation, we recommend that you divide the project into phases, stages, or tasks so that NIJ can consider making an award for a specific portion of the work. NIJ cannot guarantee that subsequent phases, stages, or tasks will be funded. Such additional funding depends on NIJ's resources and your satisfactory completion of each phase, stage, or task. Note: Deliverables (e.g., a final report) will be required at the end of each phase, stage, or task. Call for assistance: 1. For technical guidance about using the Grants Management System, call the hotline at 1-888-549-9901. 2. For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other NIJ funding opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770. V. Selection Criteria NIJ is firmly committed to the competitive process in awarding grants. All proposals are subjected to an independent peer-review panel evaluation. External peer-review panelists consider both technical and programmatic merits. Panelists are selected based on their expertise in subject areas pertinent to the proposals. Peer-review panelists evaluate each proposal and give their assessments to NIJ. NIJ staff then recommend to the NIJ Director which proposals are most worthy of an award. The Director makes final award decisions. Successful applicants must demonstrate the following: A. Understanding of the problem and its importance. B. Quality and technical merit. 1. Awareness of the state of current research or technology. 2. Soundness of methodology and analytic and technical approach. 3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). C. Impact of the proposed project. 1. Potential for significant advances in scientific or technical understanding of the problem. 2. Potential for significant advances in the field. 3. Relevance for improving the policy and practice of criminal justice and related agencies and improving public safety, security, and quality of life. 4. Affordability and cost-effectiveness of proposed end products, when applicable (e.g., purchase price and maintenance costs for a new technology or cost of training to use the technology). 5. Perceived potential for commercialization and/or implementation of a new technology (when applicable). D. Capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of applicants. 1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff. 2. Demonstrated ability of proposed staff and organization to manage the effort. 3. Adequacy of the plan to manage the project, including how various tasks are subdivided and resources are used. 4. Successful past performance on NIJ grants and contracts (when applicable). E. Budget. 1. Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit. 2. Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. F. Dissemination strategy. 1. Well-defined plan for the grant recipient to disseminate results to appropriate audiences, including researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. 2. Suggestions for print and electronic products NIJ might develop for practitioners and policymakers. VI. Requirements for Successful Applicants If your proposal is funded, you will be required to submit several reports and other materials as follows: A. Final report: The final report should be a comprehensive overview of the project and should include a detailed description of the project design, data, and methods; a full presentation of scientific findings; and a thorough discussion of the implications of the project findings for criminal justice practice and policy. It must contain an abstract of no more than 400 words and an executive summary of no more than 2,500 words. A draft of the final report, abstract, and executive summary must be submitted 90 days before the end date of the grant. The draft report will be peer reviewed upon submission. The reviews will be forwarded to the principal investigator with suggestions for revisions. The principal investigator must then submit the revised final report, abstract, and executive summary by the end date of the grant. The abstract, executive summary, and final report must be submitted in both paper and electronic formats. For evaluation studies, the report should include a section on measuring program performance. This section should outline the measures used to evaluate program effectiveness, modifications made to those measures as a result of the evaluation, and recommendations regarding these and other potential performance measures for similar programs. (This information will be particularly valuable to NIJ and other Federal program agencies in implementing performance measures for federally funded criminal justice programs.) B. Interim reports: Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual progress reports, and a final progress report. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. Post-award reporting requirements are described in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. C. Documents that protect the confidentiality of information and human subjects: Federal regulations require applicants for NIJ funding to outline specific procedures for protecting private information about individuals as part of the Privacy Certificate submitted with the application package. For complete details, see "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. D. Electronic data: Some grant recipients will be required to submit electronic data and supporting documentation, such as a codebook or dictionary, capable of being re-analyzed and used by other researchers. The materials must be submitted by the end date of the grant. Grant applicants should ensure that the proposed timeline and budget accommodate these requirements. E. Performance guidelines: NIJ collects data to comply with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Public Law 103-62. Generally, these data are contained in a grantee's final report (discussed in Section VI of this solicitation), but NIJ may request additional information to facilitate future planning and to ensure accurate reporting to Congress and others on the measurable results of grants. For complete details, see "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. ---------------------------- Tips for Submitting Your Application 1. Begin the application process early--especially if you have never used the online Grants Management System before. NIJ will not accept applications received after the closing date and time listed on the cover. To start the process, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. 2. Review "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications" for complete instructions, available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. 3. Although your proposal may budget for the purchase of equipment if the equipment is necessary to conduct the project, NIJ will not fund applications that are primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. 4. Call for help: o For technical guidance about the Grants Management System, call the hotline at 1-888-549-9901. o For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other NIJ funding opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770. ---------------------------- View or print a copy of this document from the NIJ Web site (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm) or request one by calling NCJRS at 1-800-851-3420 or e-mailing askncjrs@ncjrs.org. ---------------------------- The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. ---------------------------- SL000657