[National Institute of Justice](https://nij.ojp.gov)

June 8, 2026 (Grants.gov) | June 15, 2026 (JustGrants)

Up to $3,000,000 per award; estimated total funding $4,000,000; ~5 awards expected.

Supports research and evaluation projects addressing human trafficking, with emphasis on justice responses and technology, especially at the Southern Border.

--- ## Description This opportunity, released by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), seeks to advance research and evaluation efforts to combat human trafficking and protect children, with a particular focus on trafficking at the Southern Border. Projects should address emerging evidence needs and remaining gaps, and aim to inform U.S. criminal justice policy and practice. Two categories of applications are solicited: - **Category 1: Justice System Responses to Trafficking** Research and evaluation projects on strategies to improve trafficking investigations, prosecutions, and disruption of human trafficking networks, particularly along the Southern border; and evaluations of direct service programs for American child and adult victims of labor and sex trafficking. - **Category 2: Technology and Trafficking** Research and evaluation at the intersection of technology and trafficking, including technology used by traffickers and technologies to investigate and build cases. --- ## Due Dates - **Grants.gov application deadline:** June 8, 2026 (11:59 pm Eastern) - **JustGrants (full application) deadline:** June 15, 2026 (8:59 pm Eastern) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Ceiling:** $3,000,000 (per project, Category 1) - **Award Ceiling (Category 2):** $1,000,000 (anticipated per project) - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** $4,000,000 - **Expected Number of Awards:** 5 - **Award Floor:** $0 - **Project Period:** Not specified in the synopsis; refer to full solicitation for details. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State governments - County governments - City or township governments - Special district governments - Independent school districts - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) - Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized) - Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) - Small businesses There is **no cost sharing or matching requirement**. --- ## Application Process 1. **Submit application materials via Grants.gov** by June 8, 2026 (11:59 pm Eastern). 2. **Complete the full application in JustGrants** by June 15, 2026 (8:59 pm Eastern). 3. Detailed instructions, required forms, and additional guidance are available in the [full announcement](https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172606). --- ## Additional Information - Projects must have a clear potential impact on U.S. criminal justice policy and practice. - Special emphasis is placed on trafficking at the Southern Border and on innovative uses of technology. - Applicants are encouraged to review the full solicitation for specific requirements, evaluation criteria, and allowable activities. --- ## External Links - [Full Announcement and Application Instructions](https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172606) - [Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362198) - [NIJ Funding Opportunities Overview](https://nij.ojp.gov/funding) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/jsf/workspace/createWorkspace.faces?activityID=CreateWorkspace&cleanSession=1&oppId=362198) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | OJP Response Center | Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY)
Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday | | NIJ General Contact | Email: OJP.Info@usdoj.gov
[Contact Page](https://nij.ojp.gov/contact) |

NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking

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