NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems

The NIJ Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems funding opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. The program supports rigorous applied research and evaluation projects focused on the forensic science system and its impact on criminal justice operations throughout the United States. The National Institute of Justice serves as the research, development, and evaluation agency of the Department of Justice and funds scientific studies intended to improve criminal justice policies, investigative practices, forensic capabilities, and evidence-based decision-making. This funding opportunity reflects NIJ’s continued emphasis on advancing forensic science through evidence generation, technological innovation, workforce development, and evaluation of operational outcomes associated with forensic practices and emerging investigative methods. The funding opportunity seeks proposals across three primary topic areas. First, NIJ is interested in research examining the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations, including projects that evaluate investigative clearance rates, crime laboratory efficiency, case processing workflows, backlog reduction, and operational effectiveness. Second, the solicitation supports evaluations of innovative forensic science methods, technologies, and implementation strategies, particularly studies focused on courtroom admissibility, evidentiary reliability, and the policy implications of emerging forensic practices. Third, the program encourages research on development of the forensic science workforce, including recruitment, retention, training, certification, staffing needs, sustainability strategies, and workforce pipeline development. NIJ specifically notes interest in projects that examine technological advancements, workflow improvements, cost effectiveness, and practical operational impacts within forensic science systems. The total anticipated funding available under this opportunity is $2 million. Individual award amounts are not fixed and will be determined according to the scope and requirements of the proposed research projects, with applicants permitted to request up to the full anticipated funding amount. Applicants are encouraged to submit budgets aligned with the actual needs of their proposed research activities. The anticipated period of performance is 36 months, with an expected start date of January 1, 2027. NIJ may issue awards either as grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of federal involvement required during project implementation. Cost sharing or matching is not required under this opportunity, and NIJ states that awards may support up to 100 percent of total project costs. However, applicants may voluntarily contribute non-federal resources, facilities, services, or matching funds if desired. Eligibility for this federal funding opportunity is broad and includes state governments, county governments, city and township governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and other local government entities. Applicants may submit multiple applications provided each proposal addresses a distinct project. Collaborative projects involving multiple organizations are allowed, although only one lead applicant may submit the application while partner organizations participate as subrecipients. The applicant organization is expected to conduct the majority of the proposed work. NIJ emphasizes that projects must directly align with one or more of the three stated priority topic areas in order to be considered responsive to the solicitation. Applications must be submitted through a two-step federal submission process using Grants.gov and JustGrants. Applicants must first maintain an active SAM.gov registration and unique entity identifier. The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance must be submitted in Grants.gov by June 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The complete application package, including attachments, must then be submitted in JustGrants by June 9, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required application components include a proposal abstract, proposal narrative, budget detail form, resumes or curriculum vitae for investigators and project staff, data management and sharing plan, research independence and integrity statement, privacy certificate, human subjects documentation if applicable, project management timeline, and various federal disclosures and assurances. Proposal narratives are limited to 30 pages and must address the statement of the problem, project design and implementation, potential impact, organizational capabilities, and dissemination plans. Applications will undergo a basic minimum requirements review followed by peer review and programmatic review. Peer reviewers will evaluate proposals based on the significance of the problem statement, strength of the project design and implementation plan, capabilities and competencies of the research team, potential impact on criminal justice policy and practice, and budget completeness and cost effectiveness. NIJ also considers strategic priorities, geographic coverage, prior performance, and available funding during final award decisions. Award recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial reports, semiannual and final performance reports, data sets and documentation, scholarly products, interim deliverables, and final research reports. NIJ strongly encourages dissemination of research findings throughout the project period and requires recipients to archive resulting data sets according to approved data management plans. Key dates associated with this opportunity include the funding opportunity release date of April 30, 2026, the recommendation to begin SAM.gov registration or renewal by May 4, 2026 and no later than May 22, 2026, the Grants.gov deadline of June 2, 2026, and the JustGrants application deadline of June 9, 2026. A pre-application webinar will be held on May 14, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with preregistration required. Questions related to the webinar may be submitted to NIJ.NOFO.Support@ojp.usdoj.gov. General funding opportunity assistance is available through the OJP Response Center by phone at 800-851-3420 or by email at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. This opportunity appears to be part of NIJ’s recurring annual federal research funding portfolio and supports long-term advancement of forensic science research, evidence generation, and operational improvements across the criminal justice system.

Emphasize rigorous research design and clear implementation methodology. Demonstrate how findings will produce actionable knowledge for criminal justice practitioners and policymakers. Include dissemination plans for scholarly and practitioner audiences. Address implementation fidelity and cost effectiveness analyses when proposing evaluation research. Align proposals closely with one of the three NIJ priority topic areas.