Opportunity Information: Apply for 20CS17
The "Evidence Based Decision Making in State and Local Jurisdictions: Initiative Review" opportunity is a U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections (NIC) cooperative agreement focused on strengthening how local criminal justice systems make decisions by grounding those decisions in better information and evidence-based practices. The initiative is centered on the idea that outcomes like reduced pretrial misconduct and lower rates of reoffending after conviction can improve when local stakeholders use consistent, high-quality decision tools and protocols, and when they deliberately apply principles of human and organizational change to implement those practices effectively. Rather than trying to rewrite laws, the work emphasizes reviewing and improving locally developed strategies that already operate within existing statutes and rules.
At its core, the EBDM initiative aims to make the connection between individual case decisions and system-wide practices more explicit and testable. That means building and examining "articulated linkages" such as shared information tools, structured decision protocols, and cross-agency processes that help decision-makers align on common goals and consistent standards. The grant frames local criminal justice decision making not just as a series of isolated choices, but as a set of interlocking decisions made by different agencies that collectively shape public safety, fairness, and resource use.
The opportunity lays out two main intended outcomes. First, it seeks to improve the quality of information jurisdictions rely on when making individual case decisions across the local system. In practice, this points to better data, clearer risk and needs information, and more reliable ways of sharing and interpreting that information across agencies. Second, it aims to engage local criminal justice systems as policymaking bodies, meaning it expects stakeholders to work together to improve how decisions are made overall, with particular attention to pretrial release decisions and sentencing options. The underlying message is that better collaboration and shared decision frameworks can increase the effectiveness and capacity of local systems, not just improve one agency's performance.
A notable feature of this initiative is the broad set of local officials and practitioners expected to be involved. The description highlights judges, prosecutors, public defenders, police, human service providers, county executives, and administrators from jail, probation, and pretrial services. That mix signals that the initiative is designed to be multidisciplinary and system-wide, bringing together both justice and human services perspectives, and combining courtroom decision-makers with community supervision and detention leaders who manage day-to-day operational impacts.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is identified as an "Other" category opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates closer involvement or substantial participation from the federal agency compared to a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is 20CS17 under CFDA 16.602. It was created on May 22, 2020, with an original closing date of July 6, 2020. NIC anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of $30,000. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation materials.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as targeted support for reviewing and improving locally developed criminal justice decision-making strategies, with an emphasis on creating practical, testable connections between stakeholder decisions, evidence-based interventions, and measurable outcomes. The goal is not only better individual decisions, but stronger collective governance of pretrial and sentencing practices through shared information, common protocols, and coordinated change efforts.Apply for 20CS17
- The Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Evidence Based Decision Making in State and Local Jurisdictions: Initiative Review" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.602.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 22, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 06, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Evidence Based Decision Making in State and Local Jurisdictions: Initiative Review" opportunity?
It is a U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections (NIC) cooperative agreement focused on strengthening how local criminal justice systems make decisions by using better information and evidence-based practices. The emphasis is on reviewing and improving strategies that already exist locally and operate within current laws and rules.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
What type of funding instrument is this?
This is a cooperative agreement. That generally indicates closer federal involvement or substantial participation compared to a standard grant structure.
What is the main purpose of the EBDM initiative described in this opportunity?
The initiative aims to improve decision making across local criminal justice systems by grounding decisions in consistent, high-quality information tools, structured decision protocols, and evidence-based practices, and by using human and organizational change principles to implement improvements effectively.
Is the initiative focused on changing laws or statutes?
No. The focus is not on rewriting laws. Instead, it emphasizes reviewing and improving locally developed strategies that already function within existing statutes and rules.
What outcomes is this opportunity trying to improve?
The description points to outcomes such as reduced pretrial misconduct and lower rates of reoffending after conviction, achieved through better decision tools, protocols, and coordinated implementation.
What does the opportunity mean by "articulated linkages"?
"Articulated linkages" refers to explicit, testable connections between individual case decisions and system-wide practices. Examples mentioned include shared information tools, structured decision protocols, and cross-agency processes that help different decision-makers align on common goals and consistent standards.
How does this opportunity view local criminal justice decision making?
It treats decision making as an interlocking set of choices made by multiple agencies, not as isolated actions. The idea is that decisions across agencies collectively shape outcomes related to public safety, fairness, and resource use.
What are the two main intended outcomes listed for the initiative?
The opportunity identifies two primary intended outcomes: (1) improving the quality of information used for individual case decisions across the local system, and (2) engaging local criminal justice systems as policymaking bodies by having stakeholders work together to improve overall decision making, especially around pretrial release and sentencing options.
What does "improving the quality of information" mean in practice?
Based on the description, it points to better data, clearer risk and needs information, and more reliable ways for agencies to share and interpret that information consistently.
What does it mean to "engage local criminal justice systems as policymaking bodies"?
It means the initiative expects local stakeholders to collaborate to improve how decisions are made across the system, rather than focusing only on one agency's performance. The emphasis includes shared decision frameworks and coordinated approaches to pretrial and sentencing practices.
Which parts of the justice process receive particular attention in this opportunity?
The opportunity specifically highlights pretrial release decisions and sentencing options as key areas for system-wide collaboration and improvement.
Who is expected to be involved at the local level?
The description expects multidisciplinary participation, including judges, prosecutors, public defenders, police, human service providers, county executives, and administrators from jail, probation, and pretrial services.
Why does the opportunity emphasize involvement from so many different roles?
The initiative is designed to be system-wide and multidisciplinary. The opportunity signals that improved decision making depends on cross-agency alignment, shared tools and protocols, and coordinated change efforts that include both justice and human services perspectives.
How many awards did NIC anticipate making?
NIC anticipated making one award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $30,000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 20CS17.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.602.
When was this opportunity created?
It was created on May 22, 2020.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was July 6, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation materials.
What is the opportunity supporting jurisdictions to do?
It supports jurisdictions in reviewing and improving locally developed criminal justice decision-making strategies by strengthening shared information, establishing or refining common protocols, and coordinating change efforts to make system-wide decision making more consistent and evidence-informed.
What is the overall goal of the initiative as described?
The overall goal is to improve both individual case decisions and collective system governance, especially in pretrial and sentencing, by creating practical and testable connections between stakeholder decisions, evidence-based interventions, and measurable outcomes.
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