NIJ FY18 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence-Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program (SAFE-ITR) | NIJ 2018 13742

Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2018 13742

The NIJ FY18 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence-Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program (SAFE-ITR) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, designed to help jurisdictions build or strengthen an end-to-end evidence management approach for sexual assault kits (SAKs). The core goal is to ensure that untested and unsubmitted SAKs are identified through a formal inventory, and that every kit can be reliably tracked and reported on throughout its full lifecycle. In practical terms, the program focuses on creating a system where the status and physical location of each kit is known from the moment it is collected, through storage and transfer, through submission and processing in a forensic laboratory, and continuing through prosecution and final court disposition.

SAFE-ITR is aimed at improving accountability and transparency in how sexual assault evidence is handled, particularly in jurisdictions where backlogs, inconsistent practices, or limited tracking tools have made it difficult to know how many kits exist, where they are located, whether they have been submitted for testing, and what the case outcomes are. By funding evidence management programs that can inventory, track, and report on these kits, the opportunity supports more consistent handling of sexual assault evidence and helps reduce the risk that kits remain unsubmitted or untested without clear documentation or oversight. The program also aligns with DOJ priorities around combating violent crime and improving responses and services for victims, since better evidence management can support more timely investigations and more informed decision-making across the justice process.

Eligible applicants include state governments, units of local government such as counties and cities or townships, and tribal governments, with additional eligibility details referenced in the solicitation. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.741 and categorized under science and technology and other research and development, reflecting NIJ's role in advancing justice system capabilities, including evidence handling and information systems. The funding instrument is a grant, with an anticipated total of about five awards. Individual awards can be substantial, with an award ceiling of $5,500,000, indicating support for larger-scale statewide or multi-agency implementations that may require technology acquisition, integration work, policy development, training, and ongoing reporting capacity.

Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number NIJ 2018 13742, with a creation date of April 5, 2018, and an original closing date of May 21, 2018. Overall, the opportunity is structured to help jurisdictions establish a comprehensive, trackable chain of custody and case-status visibility for sexual assault kits, emphasizing measurable inventory and reporting practices so decision-makers and the public can have greater confidence that evidence is being managed responsibly and consistently from collection through court outcomes.

• The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY18 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence-Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program (SAFE-ITR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.741.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 05, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 21, 2018. (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 $5,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NIJ 2018 13742

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