FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers, academic institutions, and criminal justice organizations conducting empirical research and evaluation on artificial intelligence applications in criminal justice systems. Eligible applicants typically include colleges and universities, nonprofit research organizations, state and local government agencies, and tribes. The grant supports projects that evaluate AI tools used in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and related criminal justice contexts—including bias assessment, accuracy testing, implementation studies, and policy evaluation. Activities may include rigorous empirical studies, pilot programs, technology assessments, and dissemination of research findings to justice system practitioners and policymakers.
This grant is for researchers, academic institutions, and criminal justice organizations conducting empirical research and evaluation on artificial intelligence applications in criminal justice systems. Eligible applicants typically include colleges and universities, nonprofit research organizations, state and local government agencies, and tribes. The grant supports projects that evaluate AI tools used in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and related criminal justice contexts—including bias assessment, accuracy testing, implementation studies, and policy evaluation. Activities may include rigorous empirical studies, pilot programs, technology assessments, and dissemination of research findings to justice system practitioners and policymakers.
Program description
This NOFO seeks to support research and evaluation that advances the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal justice system. The goal of this NOFO is to enhance lawful decision-making and help improve its accuracy and effectiveness through AI applications supporting crime prevention, public safety, and criminal justice systems. Research should explore both the benefits and limitations of AI, addressing potential risks and downstream impacts. NIJ expects to fund studies that explore use cases in policing, corrections, courts, or other criminal justice adjacent areas to examine the suitability of using AI to solve operational problems, as well as evaluate the impacts and outcomes when integrated into criminal justice practice.
Applying for this funding opportunity involves a two-stage process that begins with submission of a concept paper. Based on the merits of the concept paper, NIJ may request that the applicant submit a full proposal. Applicants should not submit a full proposal unless invited. For information on the concept paper format, please see the General Purpose of the Funding section of this NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers, academic institutions, and criminal justice organizations conducting empirical research and evaluation on artificial intelligence applications in criminal justice systems. Eligible applicants typically include colleges and universities, nonprofit research organizations, state and local government agencies, and tribes. The grant supports projects that evaluate AI tools used in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and related criminal justice contexts—including bias assessment, accuracy testing, implementation studies, and policy evaluation. Activities may include rigorous empirical studies, pilot programs, technology assessments, and dissemination of research findings to justice system practitioners and policymakers.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative (typically 25–35 pages with detailed research design, methodology, and evaluation plan)
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capability statement and organizational history
- CVs or resumes for key personnel
- Letters of support/commitment from criminal justice partner agencies
- Data access agreements or letters confirming access to datasets
- IRB approval letter or IRB review timeline
- Timeline and project milestones
- Literature review and theoretical framework documentation
- For subawardees: subcontract agreements and their SF-424 forms
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
-
$10,561,120
-
$9,800,000
-
$6,998,958
-
$5,997,434
-
$5,691,859
-
$4,581,851
-
$4,501,620
-
$4,500,000
-
$4,000,000
Top States by Funding
- NC 9 awards $38.0M
- VA 13 awards $27.9M
- PA 3 awards $12.5M
- IL 9 awards $11.7M
- CA 6 awards $11.5M
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 is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically colleges and universities, nonprofit research organizations, state and local government agencies, and federally recognized tribes. Some grants in this series also accept for-profit organizations as subawardees but not as primary applicants.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is June 15, 2026, with applications opening May 14, 2026. Check Grants.gov for any final deadline announcements.
What types of research activities does this grant support?
Empirical evaluation of AI systems in criminal justice, including bias and fairness analysis, accuracy assessments, implementation studies, comparative technology reviews, and research on equity impacts across demographic groups and jurisdictions.
How competitive is this grant?
NIJ research grants are highly competitive. Successful applications typically demonstrate strong methodological rigor, experienced research teams, partnerships with criminal justice agencies, and clear policy relevance. Funding is limited relative to the number of applications.
What is the typical funding range?
NIJ research grants typically award $150,000 to $500,000 or more depending on project scope, though specific funding levels vary by solicitation year and availability.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner with criminal justice agencies (police, courts, corrections) early to secure data access, ensure research relevance, and demonstrate real-world application potential. Letters of support strengthen competitiveness.
- Focus on rigorous methodology: randomized designs, large datasets, validated measurement instruments, and peer-reviewed publication plans build credibility with NIJ reviewers.
- Address bias and equity explicitly. Funders increasingly expect analysis of how AI tools perform across demographic groups, jurisdictions, and populations to identify disparities.
- Include a clear dissemination and implementation strategy. Explain how findings will reach practitioners—through policy briefs, training, direct engagement with justice agencies, or peer-reviewed journals.
- Budget realistically for extended timelines. Criminal justice research requires time for agency approvals, data access negotiations, and compliance with IRB and ethical review processes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack strong partnerships with active criminal justice agencies that can provide data access and implementation support. Another common weakness is insufficient methodological rigor or vague evaluation plans that don't clearly demonstrate how the research will test AI performance and impact. Applicants frequently underestimate the importance of addressing algorithmic bias, fairness, and equity considerations—NIJ now prioritizes these elements in competitive scoring.
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