OJJDP FY24 Juvenile Justice Evidence Translation Project | O OJJDP 2024 172085

FAQs: OJJDP FY24 Juvenile Justice Evidence Translation Project (Assistance Listing 16.540)

1) What is the OJJDP FY24 Juvenile Justice Evidence Translation Project?

This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) focused on turning existing juvenile justice research into practical, easy-to-use tools for real-world settings.

2) What problem is this grant trying to address?

The project is designed to bridge the gap between credible evidence about "what works" in juvenile justice and day-to-day practice, so that proven approaches are easier to understand, implement, and sustain.

3) Is this grant meant to fund new research studies?

No. The focus is not on producing new research for academic audiences. The focus is on packaging current, credible evidence into accessible and actionable formats for practitioners and lay audiences.

4) What is the core purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to translate established juvenile justice evidence into practical tools and resources that youth-serving professionals (especially those who are not researchers) can use to implement effective approaches.

5) Who is the intended audience for the project products?

The intended audience includes youth-serving practitioners who are not researchers, along with lay audiences and community stakeholders who need clear, practical guidance on evidence-based approaches.

6) What kinds of deliverables is OJJDP looking for?

The grant supports the development of "translational" resources that convert evidence into usable guidance. Examples mentioned include implementation guides, field-ready toolkits, checklists, decision-support aids, training materials, plain-language summaries, infographics, and web-based resources.

7) What does "evidence translation" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, evidence translation means taking existing, credible knowledge about effective juvenile justice strategies and turning it into formats that are understandable, practical, and usable in everyday work without specialized research training.

8) What topics across juvenile justice can the project cover?

The solicitation highlights topics spanning the juvenile justice continuum, including prevention, early intervention, diversion, community supervision, detention, court processing, treatment and services, reentry, and aftercare.

9) What is the overall outcome OJJDP is trying to achieve?

The goal is to improve juvenile justice system performance and youth outcomes by accelerating adoption of proven strategies, supporting long-term implementation, and reducing reliance on approaches that are ineffective or harmful.

10) What type of funding mechanism is this?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the funder typically expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, collaborating on priorities, deliverables, dissemination plans, or quality standards).

11) What does "substantial involvement" by OJJDP usually imply for a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description, it generally implies ongoing collaboration with the funder during the project period on elements such as priorities, deliverables, dissemination planning, and quality expectations.

12) What is the funding activity category and Assistance Listing number?

The funding activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services. The Assistance Listing number (formerly CFDA) is 16.540.

13) How many awards does OJJDP expect to make?

OJJDP anticipates making a single award under this solicitation.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000.

15) What does it mean that only one award is expected?

It means OJJDP is likely seeking one lead organization (or a consortium led by one applicant) to produce translation products with national reach and consistent quality.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities described in the opportunity information provided.

17) Does eligibility include both nonprofit and for-profit organizations?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.

18) Are universities allowed to apply?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

19) What strengths might make an applicant more competitive given the purpose of the program?

Based on the description, competitive applicants are likely to show strong credibility in juvenile justice, proven capacity to translate research into practical guidance, and a strong dissemination plan that supports real-world uptake by practitioners and lay audiences.

20) What does "national reach" imply for this project?

Because OJJDP expects a single award and the project centers on widely disseminated tools, the effort is positioned as a national-level translation initiative rather than a limited local pilot.

21) When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on May 1, 2024.

22) What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was June 18, 2024.

23) What types of formats are encouraged for the translation products?

The opportunity emphasizes accessible and actionable formats, including implementation guides, toolkits, checklists, decision-support tools, training materials, plain-language summaries, infographics, and web-based resources.

24) Why does the solicitation emphasize "plain-language" and "field-ready" materials?

The emphasis reflects the target audiences: practitioners and community members who need evidence packaged in ways that are easy to understand and apply without requiring specialized research training.

25) What is the grant trying to prevent or reduce?

The effort aims to help prevent juvenile delinquency and strengthen the juvenile justice system by increasing use of proven approaches and discouraging reliance on ineffective or harmful practices.