FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking
🏛 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 and evaluation organizations studying human trafficking prevention and victim services in the United States. Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies with research capacity. Projects must focus on one of three areas: preventing trafficking, evaluating federal policies that affect trafficking, or supporting victim services through research and evaluation. Geographic scope is national; funded research should address U.S. human trafficking issues.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking. This opportunity supports proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to better understand, respond to, and reduce Human Trafficking in the United States in three areas: (1) prevention, including justice system and other initiatives to prevent trafficking in the first place or to prevent further harm after it has occurred, (2) evaluation of federal policies that may have the unintended consequence of perpetuating or increasing human trafficking, and (3) applied research and program evaluations that directly support effective services for American victims. This NOFO is released by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in collaboration with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum vitae of key personnel
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support from justice system or service provider partners
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
-
$18,393,640
-
$13,250,000
-
$12,361,120
-
$6,998,958
-
$5,997,434
-
$5,691,859
-
$4,581,851
-
$4,501,620
-
$4,000,000
-
$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.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.560). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $57,808,937 | |
| 2025 | $3,183,371 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies with research capacity can apply. Your organization must demonstrate ability to conduct rigorous research or evaluation.
What types of projects does NIJ fund?
Prevention research, evaluation of federal policies affecting trafficking, and applied research supporting victim services. All projects must use rigorous research methodologies.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 16, 2026. This is a fixed deadline; no extensions are typically granted.
How competitive is this funding?
NIJ is highly competitive. Applications must demonstrate research rigor, clear methodology, and significant contribution to anti-trafficking knowledge or practice.
What is the funding range?
Awards vary based on project scope and complexity. The total funding pool is $2.5 million; individual award amounts are not specified in advance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Develop a clear research or evaluation question tied directly to one of the three focus areas: prevention, policy evaluation, or victim services.
- Use rigorous research design with realistic timelines and budgets that align with your project scope and complexity.
- Partner with law enforcement, victim service providers, or justice system agencies to strengthen credibility and ensure research relevance.
- Clearly explain how your findings will advance practice, policy, or victim services in the anti-trafficking field.
- Begin planning early; federal research grants require detailed methodology, IRB approval timelines, and strong preliminary evidence of your research team's capacity.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak research design or insufficient methodological rigor; reviewers expect high-quality evaluation frameworks. Applications lack clear connection to practical impact on trafficking prevention, policy, or victim services. Teams fail to demonstrate relevant expertise in both research methods and the human trafficking field.
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