By Laura DeKoven Waxman
November 22, 2010

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is inviting cities and states with large quantities of untested sexual assault kits to participate in an action research project intended to increase understanding of the underlying nature of the problem and identify effective and sustainable solutions. The project will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, which is what this solicitation is for, will be a six-month planning grant in which the teams will come together, conduct an initial assessment of the problem, and develop a working plan for implementing the remainder of the action research steps in the second phase of the project. Cities and states that can demonstrate an effective partnership with a research institution are eligible to apply. NIJ anticipates awarding three to five planning grants of up to $500,000 each. Applications are due January 17, 2011. Information is available online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/forensics/sexual-assault-kits.htm#webinar.