NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women

The NIJ Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of Justice Programs and the National Institute of Justice. The funding opportunity supports rigorous scientific research and evaluation projects that seek to reduce violence against women and girls and improve criminal justice system responses to these crimes. The solicitation emphasizes research on domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, rape, stalking, sex trafficking, adolescent relationship abuse, and related trauma. The National Institute of Justice identifies this opportunity as part of its broader mission to advance public safety, protect civil rights, and promote evidence-based policy and practice through research. The program also aligns with Department of Justice priorities related to combating violent crime, supporting victims, and improving accountability within justice systems. The opportunity provides a total anticipated funding pool of $3,700,000 with approximately four to five awards expected. The award ceiling is flexible and based on the scope and requirements of the proposed research, with applicants permitted to request funding up to the full anticipated funding amount if justified. Awards may be issued either as grants or cooperative agreements. Projects may last up to 60 months, and successful projects are expected to begin around January 1, 2027. The program allows awards to cover up to 100 percent of project costs, meaning no mandatory cost sharing or match requirement applies. However, applicants may voluntarily contribute non-federal support, and any approved voluntary contribution becomes mandatory if incorporated into the final award budget. NIJ is particularly interested in longitudinal research, replication studies, advanced statistical modeling, implementation science, interdisciplinary research teams, practitioner partnerships, and evaluations of interventions designed to improve outcomes for victims and survivors. Priority research topics include case processing practices for violence-related offenses, intimate partner homicide prevention, suspicious deaths connected to intimate partner violence, stalking victimization and help-seeking behaviors, technology applications related to victim protection and investigative support, and evaluations of violence against women programs. Evaluation proposals are encouraged to use rigorous methodologies, including randomized controlled trials or strong quasi-experimental designs where feasible. Applications involving evaluation research must also include implementation evaluation components and address research independence and integrity safeguards. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public, nonprofit, tribal, educational, and private sector entities. Eligible organizations include state, county, city, township, tribal, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without IRS 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations including small businesses; federal agencies; and other organizations with demonstrated expertise or experience. Applicants may submit multiple applications provided each application proposes a distinct project. Collaborative projects are permitted, but only one entity may serve as the primary applicant while partner organizations participate as subrecipients. Applicants are expected to conduct the majority of the proposed work themselves. The application process requires a two-step electronic submission process using Grants.gov and JustGrants. Applicants are encouraged, though not required, to submit a letter of intent by April 20, 2026 to nijsvaw-fvresearch@ojp.usdoj.gov. The first required submission step is the SF-424 form through Grants.gov by May 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The second step requires submission of the full application through JustGrants by May 18, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required application materials include the SF-424, proposal narrative, detailed budget, curriculum vitae or resumes for key personnel, and various compliance and disclosure documents. The proposal narrative may not exceed 30 pages and must include sections addressing the problem statement, project design and implementation, potential impact, capabilities and competencies, and data collection plans. Additional attachments may include letters of support, human subjects protections documentation, privacy certificates, data management and archiving plans, project management timelines, and research independence statements. Applications will undergo a basic minimum requirements screening followed by peer review evaluation. Peer reviewers will score applications according to five weighted criteria: statement of the problem, project design and implementation, capabilities and competencies, potential impact, and budget quality and cost effectiveness. Additional programmatic and financial reviews will also be conducted by NIJ staff. Award recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual and final performance reports, draft and final research reports, and data sets associated with funded research. NIJ requires recipients to archive research data in approved repositories and strongly encourages publication and dissemination of scholarly products throughout the performance period. Successful applicants are expected to produce actionable findings that improve criminal justice policy, victim services, and intervention strategies related to violence against women and girls. Applicants seeking assistance may contact the OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or by phone at 800-851-3420. Technical support is also available through Grants.gov, JustGrants, and SAM.gov support centers. The funding opportunity was released on March 19, 2026, and the current solicitation includes updated deadline extensions and clarifications issued by NIJ during the application period. The program appears to follow an annual federal funding cycle based on the fiscal year designation and structure of the solicitation.

Emphasize rigorous research methodology, strong evaluation design, practitioner partnerships, implementation science, dissemination planning, and clear alignment with criminal justice policy and practice needs. Applications proposing longitudinal research, replication studies, and victim-centered outcomes may receive stronger consideration.