NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), within the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, offers funding through the Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes opportunity. NIJ serves as the research, development, and evaluation agency of the Department of Justice, supporting evidence-based approaches to improve public safety and justice system effectiveness. This funding opportunity is designed to advance the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence within criminal justice systems across the United States. The purpose of the program is to support rigorous research and evaluation of AI technologies as they are applied to criminal justice contexts such as policing, courts, corrections, and related systems. Projects are expected to examine both the benefits and limitations of AI, including potential risks, unintended consequences, and downstream impacts. NIJ prioritizes research that enhances decision-making accuracy, improves operational effectiveness, and contributes to crime prevention and public safety outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to explore real-world use cases and assess how AI tools perform when integrated into practice. Funding under this opportunity totals $2,500,000, with individual award amounts determined by the scope and needs of proposed research projects. Applicants are expected to propose budgets aligned with their research design, with no predefined ceiling other than the total available funding. The period of performance may extend up to five years, allowing for comprehensive research, evaluation, and dissemination activities. Cost sharing is not required, though voluntary contributions may be included and become binding if proposed. Eligibility is broad and inclusive, encompassing government entities at the state, local, and tribal levels, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Applicants may submit multiple concept papers if each represents a distinct project. Partnerships between researchers and practitioners are strongly encouraged to ensure relevance and applicability of findings. The application process follows a two-stage structure. In the first stage, applicants must submit a concept paper along with the SF-424 form through Grants.gov. Concept papers must outline the research problem, proposed AI application, methodology, and a preliminary budget. Based on internal review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal through JustGrants. Full applications must include detailed narratives, research design, evaluation plans, and supporting documentation such as resumes, letters of support, and data management plans. Applications are evaluated based on the significance of the research problem, the rigor of the proposed methodology, the capabilities of the research team, the potential impact on policy and practice, and the reasonableness of the budget. NIJ emphasizes scientific integrity and Gold Standard Science principles, requiring applicants to demonstrate methodological rigor and independence. Deliverables include scholarly publications, datasets, and a final research report, with ongoing performance reporting required throughout the project period. Key dates include a funding opportunity release on May 14, 2026, a pre-application webinar on May 26, 2026, and a deadline of June 15, 2026, for submission of the SF-424 and concept paper. Invitations for full proposals are expected around mid-July 2026. The anticipated project start date is January 1, 2027. Applicants may contact the OJP Response Center for assistance with application requirements, and technical support is available through Grants.gov and JustGrants service desks.

Emphasize rigorous methodology and clear research design; demonstrate practical impact on criminal justice operations; include strong collaboration with practitioners; align proposal with NIJ priority goals; clearly justify budget and feasibility