FY25 Forensic Ballistics and Higher Education Program
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for public and state-controlled institutions of higher education that want to develop forensic ballistics and crime gun intelligence curricula. Eligible schools must have established academic programs in criminal justice, forensic science, or related fields. Partnerships with local law enforcement and ATF are required. The program supports hands-on training in firearms evidence processing, ballistic analysis, and investigative methodologies to combat gun violence.
Geographic scope is national. Institutions at all levels of development can apply, from those building new programs to those expanding existing curricula. The focus is on creating sustainable partnerships between higher education and law enforcement agencies.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2025 Forensic Ballistics and Higher Education Program. This program enables public and state-controlled institutions of higher education to partner with local law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to develop or build upon current specialized curricula that provide comprehensive forensic education in firearm ballistics and crime gun intelligence (CGI). Since foundational curricula in crime gun intelligence, National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) operations, and forensic ballistics have already been developed and piloted, this NOFO will support hands-on training for students to gain proficiency and competency in firearms evidence processing, ballistic analysis using NIBIN, CGI generation, and investigative methodologies that support criminal apprehension and conviction.
The program will increase the pipeline of trained professionals entering the forensic science and law enforcement workforce while building sustainable partnerships between higher education and law enforcement agencies to combat violent gun crime. This funding opportunity will expand geographic reach and create replicable frameworks for national dissemination.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Work
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Commitment from law enforcement and ATF partners
- Evidence of existing criminal justice or forensic science program
- Organizational capability documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.051 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,950,941
Top States by Funding
- KS 1 awards $4.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.051). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2025 | $1,311,821 |
FAQ
Can private institutions of higher education apply?
No, only public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are eligible. Private schools are not eligible for this program.
What types of partnerships are required?
You must partner with local law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). These partnerships should support curriculum development and hands-on training delivery.
What activities does this funding support?
Funding supports developing or expanding forensic ballistics curricula, hands-on training in NIBIN operations, crime gun intelligence generation, and investigative methodologies related to firearms evidence and gun crime.
Do I need to match the funding?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant. The full award can support your eligible project activities.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is September 14, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, so applications must be submitted by this date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your existing criminal justice or forensic science program strengths. Reviewers want to fund schools with solid foundations, not startups.
- Develop detailed partnerships with local law enforcement and ATF before submitting. Include letters of commitment from agency partners.
- Focus on workforce pipeline outcomes. Show how your program will produce trained professionals ready for law enforcement careers.
- Provide a clear implementation timeline and measurable competency standards for student learning in ballistics analysis and NIBIN operations.
- Highlight plans for sustainability and national dissemination after the grant period ends. Reviewers prioritize replicable frameworks other institutions can adopt.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without established law enforcement and ATF partnerships. Submitting vague curriculum plans instead of detailed, competency-based learning objectives. Failing to explain how the program addresses gun violence prevention and criminal apprehension outcomes.
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