FY 2026 Crime and Justice Research
🏛 National Institute of Justice (USDOJ-OJP-NIJ)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 9, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research on crime, justice, and policing. Applicants must conduct empirical research on programs, strategies, or technologies for criminal justice systems, or evaluate the COPS De-escalation Training Program. Eligible organizations typically include universities, research institutions, and law enforcement agencies. This is a federal research grant with a national scope. The research must address adult criminal justice topics or police de-escalation training.
Projects should produce rigorous, evidence-based findings that improve justice system effectiveness or officer safety.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the NIJ FY 2026 Crime and Justice Research. This opportunity NOFO calls for applications in two categories:
Category 1: Crime and Justice Research: Category 1 will support applications for research on new programs, strategies, and technological solutions to improve workforce effectiveness, enhance operational readiness, and support safety in the adult criminal justice system.
Category 2: Assessment of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) De-escalation Training Program: Category 2 will support proposals to study the implementation and impact of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) De-Escalation Training Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative/research proposal
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational qualifications or institutional background
- Letters of support from partner agencies or institutions
- Data sharing and human subjects compliance documentation (as applicable)
- Curriculum vitae of key personnel
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Justice
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-616-5314
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.560 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$18,393,640
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$13,250,000
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$12,361,120
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$6,998,958
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$5,997,434
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$5,691,859
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$4,581,851
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$4,501,620
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$4,000,000
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$3,416,415
Top States by Funding
- NC 10 awards $42.3M
- VA 14 awards $28.8M
- PA 3 awards $14.3M
- CA 8 awards $13.3M
- MA 12 awards $12.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this NIJ grant?
Universities, research institutions, think tanks, and justice agencies typically qualify. Some prior NIJ experience strengthens competitiveness.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 16, 2026. Start applications well in advance; federal research grants require extensive documentation.
What kind of research does NIJ fund?
Empirical studies on criminal justice programs, policing strategies, technology, workforce effectiveness, or officer safety. De-escalation training evaluation is also eligible.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing from your organization.
What is the typical funding amount?
Awards vary. The total pool is $5.5 million, so individual grants likely range from $250,000 to $1 million or more, depending on project scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Begin with a clear research question tied to justice system improvement or officer safety. Vague or exploratory proposals are less competitive.
- Use existing data sources and partnerships with justice agencies to ground your research in real-world problems.
- Include a realistic timeline and budget that reflects the time needed for rigorous research and analysis.
- Emphasize how findings will be disseminated to practitioners and policymakers, not just academic audiences.
- Address limitations of prior research and explain why your study design is methodologically sound.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack partnership with practicing agencies or courts. Research questions are too broad or disconnected from actionable policy. Budgets and timelines don't reflect the true cost of rigorous data collection and analysis.
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