NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Justice System Responses to Illegal Immigration
The National Institute of Justice funds FY 2026 applied research and evaluations of state, local, and tribal criminal justice responses to illegal immigration and related crimes.
Funder: National Institute of Justice
Due Dates: November 16, 2026 (Grants.gov) | November 23, 2026 (JustGrants)
Funding Amounts: $3,000,000 total funding; up to $3,000,000 per award; 5 awards expected
Summary: Supports rigorous, applied research and evaluation of state, local, and tribal adult criminal justice responses to illegal immigration.
Key Information: Research must address adult criminal justice system challenges and responses to illegal immigration and crimes committed by people in the U.S. illegally.
Description
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, supports rigorous, applied research and evaluations examining adult criminal justice responses to illegal immigration at the state, local, and tribal levels. The program covers courts, law enforcement, jails, prisons, and community supervision, including responses to crimes committed by people in the United States illegally.
Research topics include location and apprehension, court operations, transportation and detention, fraud investigations, accurate profiles of criminal activity rates, and responses to gangs, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Studies may examine one or multiple states or jurisdictions, including cooperation among federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems and other stakeholders. The goal is to identify innovative local strategies, evaluate their effectiveness, and inform practical, data-driven solutions that strengthen justice system responses.
