O-NIJ-2025-172615: NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes
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 $2.5 million to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 3 awards worth $2.5 million in total. Applications closed on June 15, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 22, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$2.5 million
- Total funding$2.5 million
- Expected awards3
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | May 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 13 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- 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 $2.5 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 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 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-2025-172615 still open?
No. It closed on June 15, 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 of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes?
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 of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes?
Closed June 15, 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 $2.5 million each. About $2.5 million in total across about 3 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.