O-NIJ-2025-172599: NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems
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 $2.0 million to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 6 awards worth $2.0 million in total. Applications closed on June 2, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 7, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$2.0 million
- Total funding$2.0 million
- Expected awards6
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | April 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 2, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 15 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Other Units of Local Government
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 $2.0 million 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 NOFO seeks proposals for rigorous applied research and evaluative studies on the forensic science system. The field of forensic science is changing, particularly as technological advancements improve the criminal justice system’s ability to use forensic evidence more effectively and efficiently. Research is needed to better understand the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations. With this NOFO, NIJ requests applications in three topic areas: • The impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations, such as improving investigative clearance rates, increasing law enforcement effectiveness, and reducing crime lab backlogs. • Evaluations of the implementation of new and innovative forensic science methods and their impact on strengthening courtroom admissibility and evidentiary reliability. • Developing the forensic science workforce.
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-2025-172599 still open?
No. It closed on June 2, 2026. A newer notice is open: O-NIJ-2026-172806, closes November 30, 2026 (23 days left).
Who can apply for NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems?
National Institute of Justice accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems?
Closed June 2, 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 $2.0 million each. About $2.0 million in total across about 6 awards.
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.