NIJ FY 2026 State and Local Collection and Reporting of Crime Data

The National Institute of Justice, part of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, offers funding through the State and Local Collection and Reporting of Crime Data program to support research that strengthens the quality and reliability of crime data systems. The agency plays a central role in advancing justice through science by funding research that informs criminal justice policy and practice nationwide. This funding opportunity is aligned with the broader mission of the Department of Justice to promote public safety, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the protection of civil rights. The purpose of this program is to fund rigorous research examining how crime data is collected and reported across state and local jurisdictions. The program prioritizes identifying systemic challenges in data accuracy, particularly inconsistencies in classification, reporting practices, and data governance. A specific emphasis is placed on improving the accuracy of offender race and ethnicity data, which has been shown to suffer from misclassification and inconsistency. The program ultimately seeks to produce scalable, widely adoptable best practices that improve data integrity and usability. Funding will support comprehensive research projects that analyze crime data systems across multiple jurisdictions. Activities may include documenting data collection processes, assessing the accuracy of incident-level reporting, comparing reported crime data with other data sources, and identifying internal and external factors influencing data quality. Awardees are also expected to synthesize findings into actionable guidance, including best practices guides and dissemination products aimed at practitioners and policymakers. Funds may be used for research design, data collection, analysis, stakeholder convenings, and production of scholarly and applied outputs. Certain activities are explicitly prohibited, including those that violate federal immigration law or civil rights protections. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state, local, and tribal governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Applicants may submit multiple applications provided each proposes a distinct project. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, although cofunding guidance is referenced. The program allows for cooperative agreements, meaning the federal agency may have substantial involvement in project implementation. The application process involves two required submission steps. Applicants must first complete and submit the SF-424 form via Grants.gov, followed by submission of the full application through the JustGrants system. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget, abstract, and multiple supporting documents such as financial questionnaires, data management plans, and researcher credentials. The proposal narrative must follow strict formatting guidelines and address specific evaluation criteria, including project design, impact, and team capability. Applications are evaluated based on a structured review process that assesses the strength of the research design, the qualifications of the research team, and the potential impact of the findings on the criminal justice field. Additional consideration may be given to projects that align with agency priorities such as combating violent crime or supporting law enforcement operations. Award decisions are expected by late September 2026, with project start dates anticipated around October 1, 2026. The timeline for this opportunity includes a Grants.gov submission deadline of July 30, 2026, and a JustGrants deadline of August 6, 2026. Awards will support a performance period of up to 24 months, including a maximum of 12 months dedicated to active research. Applicants can contact the OJP Response Center for assistance, and multiple technical support channels are available for submission systems. This opportunity appears to be part of a recurring federal research funding cycle, though no explicit recurrence schedule is stated.

Focus on rigorous research design clear linkage to objectives and strong dissemination plan aligned with NIJ priorities