Research and Evaluation on Technology-Facilitated Abuse for Criminal Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020 | NIJ 2020 17309

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NIJ grant opportunity about?

This Fiscal Year 2020 opportunity from the Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funds research and evaluation intended to strengthen the criminal justice response to technology-facilitated abuse. The emphasis is on producing practical, evidence-based findings that agencies and practitioners can use to better identify, prevent, investigate, prosecute, and ultimately reduce online and technology-enabled harms.

Which agency is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

What kinds of behaviors and offenses does NIJ include under "technology-facilitated abuse"?

NIJ frames the problem broadly and includes offenses such as sextortion, nonconsensual pornography (often called "revenge porn"), doxing, swatting, cyberstalking, and cyber-hate.

What is the main goal NIJ is trying to achieve with funded projects?

The goal is to build scientifically rigorous knowledge that still translates into real-world improvements in programs, policies, training, and day-to-day practice across the justice system, specifically for technology-enabled abuse and harassment.

How does NIJ expect research findings to be used?

NIJ expects findings to be directly usable by agencies and practitioners to improve detection, prevention, investigation, prosecution, and overall reduction of online and technology-enabled harms.

What are the main research priorities or topic areas NIJ is inviting proposals to address?

NIJ highlights four major research needs: (1) understanding risk and protective factors; (2) measuring costs and consequences; (3) testing what works in real-world settings (including evaluation of strategies, tools, training, policies, and legislation); and (4) documenting frequency and impacts, including disproportionate effects on women and ethnic, religious, and racial minorities.

What does NIJ mean by "risk and protective factors" in this solicitation?

This priority area focuses on what makes individuals more likely to be targeted, what factors may buffer or protect people from harm, and how offenders (or enabling organizations) become involved in technology-facilitated abuse behaviors.

What does NIJ mean by measuring "costs and consequences"?

This area includes financial losses and broader personal, social, and institutional impacts. It also includes studying whether and how internet-enabled harassment intersects with or escalates into other types of crime.

What types of "what works" studies does NIJ want to fund?

NIJ is looking for research that tests the effectiveness of real-world strategies for detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution. Examples noted include evaluating legislation, agency policies, investigative tools, and training approaches.

Why does the solicitation emphasize impacts on women and minority communities?

The solicitation specifically highlights documenting frequency and impacts, particularly for women and ethnic, religious, and racial minorities, reflecting concerns about disproportionate targeting and harm to specific communities.

What type of award mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This was a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement means NIJ typically expects to play an active partnership role with awardees during the project period, such as collaborating on project direction, milestones, or dissemination expectations.

What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?

The opportunity number is NIJ 2020 17309.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The solicitation is associated with CFDA 16.560.

How is this opportunity categorized by activity area?

The activity category is listed under law, justice and legal services, and also under science and technology and other research and development. This signals expectations for proposals that combine criminal justice application with solid research design and, where relevant, technical understanding of online platforms, digital evidence, and offender tactics.

How much funding is available per award?

The anticipated maximum award (ceiling) is up to $2,000,000.

How many awards did NIJ expect to make?

NIJ expected to make about five awards.

When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on January 29, 2020.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was April 8, 2020.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as clarified in the solicitation's additional eligibility text.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.

Are tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are included as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, with an exclusion noted for higher education institutions within those nonprofit categories.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible.

What kinds of expertise or capabilities does NIJ appear to expect from applicants?

NIJ emphasizes scientifically rigorous research and evaluation that produces actionable findings for justice agencies. The activity categorization also suggests that, where relevant, applicants may need technical understanding of online platforms, digital evidence, and offender tactics in addition to strong criminal justice research design.

What is the overall problem NIJ is trying to address?

The solicitation targets a growing set of technology-driven abuse behaviors that can be difficult to detect, difficult to prosecute, and deeply harmful to victims and communities. The intended outcome is actionable evidence that improves how the justice system responds.