NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Emerging Technology Implementation and Impact for Law Enforcement Purposes

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a research, development, and evaluation agency within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, offers funding under the opportunity titled Research and Evaluation of Emerging Technology Implementation and Impact for Law Enforcement Purposes. NIJ’s mission is to advance scientific research and evidence-based practices to improve public safety and strengthen the criminal justice system. This funding opportunity reflects that mission by supporting rigorous, data-driven studies that evaluate how emerging technologies are implemented and how they affect law enforcement operations, community outcomes, and agency efficiency. The primary purpose of this funding is to support research and evaluation projects that assess the effectiveness, implementation, and impact of new and evolving technologies used by law enforcement agencies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, drones such as “drones as first responders,” artificial intelligence systems, advanced surveillance tools, and integrated security technologies. The program emphasizes understanding not only whether these tools improve outcomes but also how they are deployed, their return on investment, and how they influence public safety, staffing, and communication strategies within agencies. Funding under this opportunity totals approximately 3000000 dollars, with individual award amounts determined based on the scope and requirements of proposed research projects. The funding may cover up to 100 percent of total project costs, meaning no mandatory cost share or match is required, although voluntary contributions may be included and become binding if approved. The anticipated period of performance is up to five years, allowing for comprehensive research, evaluation, and dissemination of findings. Allowable uses of funds include research design, data collection, evaluation activities, dissemination products, and development of scholarly outputs, while unallowable activities include those that violate federal law or civil rights protections. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and includes government entities at the state, county, and local levels; federally and non-federally recognized tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; and for-profit organizations including small businesses. Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships between researchers and practitioners, particularly with law enforcement agencies, to ensure that research is grounded in real-world operational contexts and produces actionable findings. The application process follows a two-stage submission model. First, applicants must submit an SF-424 form along with a concept paper through Grants.gov. The concept paper outlines the proposed research, applicant capabilities, and a preliminary budget. Based on internal merit review, selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal through JustGrants. The full application requires a detailed proposal narrative, budget, data management plan, and supporting documentation such as resumes, letters of support, and compliance statements. Evaluation criteria include the significance of the research problem, methodological rigor, applicant capacity, potential impact, and budget justification. Key dates include a funding release date in mid-May and a deadline for concept paper submission in mid-June. A pre-application webinar is offered to provide guidance to applicants. After concept paper review, selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals approximately one month later. Awards are anticipated to begin at the start of the following calendar year, with projects expected to produce deliverables such as peer-reviewed publications, datasets, and final research reports. The program does not explicitly state recurring cycles but aligns with federal fiscal year funding patterns. Applicants are evaluated through a multi-stage review process that includes basic minimum requirements screening, internal merit review of concept papers, external peer review of full applications, and final selection by NIJ leadership. Award recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and final deliverables. The program emphasizes transparency, data sharing, and dissemination of findings to practitioners and policymakers, ensuring that funded research contributes to improved law enforcement practices nationwide.

Focus on strong researcher-practitioner partnerships; ensure rigorous evaluation design; clearly demonstrate practical impact on law enforcement; align with NIJ priority areas