O-NIJ-2025-172536: NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Violent Crime: Gangs and Organized Criminal Groups (Domestic and Transnational) (O-NIJ-2026-172806). Status: Closes November 30, 2026 (23 days left). It is in our archive of National Institute of Justice notices from 2026.
National Institute of Justice offered grants of up to $930,640 to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $930,640 in total. Applications closed on February 18, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed February 11, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$930,640
- Total funding$930,640
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | February 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 18, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Only the applicant that received an official invitation letter from NIJ is able and eligible to apply. Please refer to that letter for eligibility requirements.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants awards averaged $596,032; this notice allows up to $930,640 per award.
- Most of the program's money (45% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
This funding opportunity seeks proposals for research and evaluation studies to produce practical knowledge that has the potential to improve the examination and interpretation of physical evidence in forensic science laboratories across the community of practice. This program furthers DOJ’s mission by supporting the development of new knowledge and tools to address the challenges of crime and justice in the United States. NIJ’s Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan and Forensic Science R&D Technology Working Group (TWG) identify current research priorities and technology challenges encountered in operational forensic science laboratories. Research-based knowledge and newly developed tools that work towards addressing these priorities and resolving these challenges facilitate the criminal justice community’s ability to enforce the law, promote public safety, prevent and reduce crime, and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice.
Who has won National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants (16.560) awarded $228 million across 383 grant awards, an average of $596,032 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Triangle Institute | North Carolina | 20 | $26.9 million |
| The Cna Corporation | Virginia | 12 | $19.1 million |
| National Opinion Research Center | Illinois | 7 | $7.0 million |
| Michigan State University Foundation | Michigan | 7 | $6.8 million |
| University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | 2 | $5.0 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, O-NIJ-2026-172806, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is O-NIJ-2025-172536 still open?
No. It closed on February 18, 2026. A newer notice is open: O-NIJ-2026-172806, closes November 30, 2026 (23 days left).
Who can apply for NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories?
National Institute of Justice accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories?
Closed February 18, 2026. 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 $930,640 each. About $930,640 in total for one award.
Who has won National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Research Triangle Institute, The Cna Corporation, National Opinion Research Center. The program made 383 awards worth $228 million in that time.