O-BJA-2023-171886: BJA FY 23 Virtual Reality Training Development for Law Enforcement
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Bureau of Justice Assistance notices from 2023.
Bureau of Justice Assistance offered grants of up to $4.0 million to colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on December 4, 2023.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed October 16, 2023. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$4.0 million
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | September 19, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | December 4, 2023 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to colleges and universities.
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Virtual Reality De-escalation Training awards averaged $2.2 million; this notice allows up to $4.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (89% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support a collaborative partnership between two or more universities to develop, design, and pilot a virtual reality training program designed to improve law enforcement interactions with all individuals, with an emphasis on de-escalation tactics. New technologies, including virtual reality systems designed for use by police, allow for multiparticipant engagement and can be integrated into training programs focused on improving law enforcement encounters. Universities are required to partner to carry out the activities of the federal award; however only one applicant can apply. Technologies designed for law enforcement trainings to model reality virtually should enable police to prepare for the situations they may face in communities while providing officers an opportunity to practice decision-making and de-escalation techniques in a safe and controlled environment. These technologies also allow law enforcement to share their world in a virtual setting with critical partners interested in learning more about the role of public safety. Adequately and effectively preparing law enforcement to engage with every member of the community results in greater public safety outcomes for all and increased community trust.
Who has won Virtual Reality De-escalation Training grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Virtual Reality De-escalation Training (16.054) awarded $4.5 million across 2 grant awards, an average of $2.2 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | Florida | 1 | $4.0 million |
| Research Triangle Institute | North Carolina | 1 | $499,996 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is O-BJA-2023-171886 still open?
No. It closed on December 4, 2023.
Who can apply for BJA FY 23 Virtual Reality Training Development for Law Enforcement?
Bureau of Justice Assistance accepted applications from colleges and universities.
What is the deadline for BJA FY 23 Virtual Reality Training Development for Law Enforcement?
Closed December 4, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $4.0 million each.
Who has won Virtual Reality De-escalation Training grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Florida State University, Research Triangle Institute. The program made 2 awards worth $4.5 million in that time.
Similar open grants
- OJJDP FY 2026 Internet Crimes Against Children On-Line Child Protection System (ICACCOPS)
- OJJDP FY 2026 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
- OJJDP FY 2026 Mentoring for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use
- BJA FY 2026 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program
- BJA FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence