Guidance and Tips on Navigating the U.S. Department of Justice Grant Process - Advancing Community Safety and Justice Initiatives

Entities should consider the expected number of awards and award amount in order to determine if the likelihood of being selected is worth the effort needed to complete the proposal and whether the funding that is available is enough for the entity to complete this project. [...] It is the applicant’s opportu- nity to persuade the DOJ that the proposal presents an idea, program, initiative, or approach that meets the requirements of the solicitation; that can be completed in the time frame provided and with the funding included in the award; and that the applicant is well qualified to receive the award. [...] When writing the narra- tive, you should follow the order for each section of the narrative included in the solicitation and use headings and subheadings to clearly identify the parts of the narrative being addressed. [...] In addition to the general requirements provided by the solicitation, the proposal narrative should aim to do the following: ■ Describe the issue that the proposal seeks to address: Applicants must describe the problem that the solicitation seeks to address and in doing so, demonstrate an understanding of the complexities around the issue such as gaps in or absence of services; lack of collaborati. [...] Department of Justice Grant Process 20 applications based on solicitation criteria62 and provide ratings and recommenda- tions for the DOJ to consider in the award-making process.63 Only applications that have met the minimum requirements of the solicitation will be reviewed.64 The basic minimum requirements of solicitations can vary but generally include the following sections: statement of the p.