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

June 2, 2026 (Grants.gov) | June 9, 2026 (JustGrants/solicitation closing)

Up to $2,000,000 total; expected 6 awards; maximum per award $2,000,000.

Supports rigorous applied research and evaluation on forensic science systems, focusing on impact, innovation, and workforce development.

--- ## Description This opportunity seeks proposals for applied research and evaluations that advance the forensic science system in the United States. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is soliciting projects that address: - The impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations, including improvements in investigative clearance rates, law enforcement effectiveness, and reductions in crime lab backlogs. - Evaluations of the implementation of new and innovative forensic science methods, particularly their influence on courtroom admissibility and evidentiary reliability. - Strategies and programs for developing and strengthening the forensic science workforce. Proposals should be rigorous, innovative, and aimed at generating actionable evidence to improve forensic science practice and its integration into the justice system. --- ## Due Dates - June 2, 2026: Grants.gov application submission deadline (11:59 PM Eastern) - June 9, 2026: JustGrants full application submission deadline (8:59 PM Eastern / Solicitation closing date) --- ## Funding Amount - Total estimated program funding: $2,000,000 - Maximum award per project: $2,000,000 - Expected number of awards: 6 - No cost sharing or matching requirement --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State, county, city, township, and 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 and other tribal organizations) - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - Other units of local government --- ## Application Process 1. **Register and apply through Grants.gov** by June 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern. 2. **Complete and submit the full application in JustGrants** by June 9, 2026, at 8:59 PM Eastern. 3. Review the [full solicitation](https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172599) for detailed requirements, forms, and instructions. --- ## Additional Information - Funding instrument: Cooperative Agreement - Focus areas include system impact, methodological innovation, and workforce development in forensic science. - Projects should emphasize measurable outcomes and potential for real-world impact. --- ## External Links - [Full Solicitation and Program Page](https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172599) - [Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362153) - [NIJ About Page](https://nij.ojp.gov/about/about-nij) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/jsf/workspace/createWorkspace.faces?activityID=CreateWorkspace&cleanSession=1&oppId=362153) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Hours (ET) | |------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------| | OJP Response Center (Technical POC) | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov | 800-851-3420, 202-353-5556 (TTY) | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Mon–Fri | For programmatic or technical questions, email or call the OJP Response Center.

NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems

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