NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems | O NIJ 2025 172599

FAQs: NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems (O-NIJ-2025-172599)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems grant opportunity. It funds rigorous, applied research and evaluative studies on how forensic science systems operate and how they affect the broader criminal justice process.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-NIJ-2025-172599.

What type of funding instrument is being offered?

The opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement imply for the project?

A cooperative agreement typically means NIJ expects substantial involvement during the project period. Based on the opportunity description, that involvement may include collaborative planning, ongoing engagement on research design and deliverables, and coordination to keep the work aligned with program goals and focused on producing usable results for the field.

What is the program category and Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The Assistance Listing (CFDA) is 16.560.

What is the overarching goal of this grant?

The grant is aimed at producing credible, actionable evidence about how forensic science systems can be improved, how innovations should be evaluated and implemented, and how the forensic workforce can be strengthened to support reliable forensic services and better criminal justice outcomes.

Why is NIJ emphasizing this topic right now?

NIJ describes forensic science as being in a period of rapid change, largely driven by technological advances that may help agencies use forensic evidence more effectively and efficiently. At the same time, NIJ is signaling a need for stronger evidence on what works, what does not, and what measurable impacts forensic science investments have on investigations, prosecutions, and overall justice outcomes.

What research areas does NIJ want proposals to address?

The solicitation is organized around three core research topic areas: (1) the impact of forensic science on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations, (2) evaluations of implementation of new and innovative forensic methods and the implications for courtroom admissibility and evidentiary reliability, and (3) research related to developing the forensic science workforce.

What kinds of studies fit under Topic Area 1 (impact on the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations)?

NIJ is seeking studies that examine whether and how forensic capabilities improve investigative clearance rates, increase operational effectiveness for law enforcement, and reduce crime laboratory backlogs. NIJ is also looking for work that can quantify outcomes, identify which interventions or system changes produce improvements, and explain the conditions under which those improvements occur.

What does NIJ mean by studying the "conditions" under which improvements occur?

The opportunity description highlights examples such as differences in jurisdiction size, case types, staffing models, or evidence submission practices. In other words, NIJ is interested in understanding what works, for whom, and under what operational circumstances.

What kinds of projects fit under Topic Area 2 (implementation of new and innovative methods and implications for admissibility and reliability)?

This area focuses on evaluating how new or innovative forensic science methods are implemented and what adoption means for courtroom admissibility and evidentiary reliability. It points to the full pathway from method development or procurement through real-world deployment, quality assurance, and legal use.

Is NIJ only interested in laboratory validation studies?

No. NIJ emphasizes "implementation," indicating interest beyond validation in isolation. The description suggests NIJ wants to understand how methods perform in operational settings, how policies and training affect results, and whether new approaches reduce error risk or increase transparency for courts and other stakeholders.

What does NIJ mean by "courtroom admissibility" and "evidentiary reliability" in this context?

Within the scope of this opportunity, NIJ is looking for evaluations that assess whether implementation strengthens the scientific foundations of evidence, supports more reliable interpretations, and helps evidence meet legal standards for admission.

What kinds of projects fit under Topic Area 3 (forensic science workforce development)?

Workforce-focused proposals might address recruitment and retention challenges, training and professional development models, competency assessment, succession planning, workload and burnout issues, and strategies to ensure laboratories and agencies have the skills needed to keep pace with emerging techniques.

What is NIJ looking for in workforce research?

NIJ's framing signals interest in evidence-based workforce solutions that can be evaluated for effectiveness and scaled across jurisdictions.

How many awards does NIJ expect to make?

NIJ expects to make about six awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities.

Does NIJ allow both nonprofit and for-profit applicants?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status) and for-profit organizations (including small businesses, and also for-profit organizations other than small businesses).

Can tribal governments or tribal organizations apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligible applicant types.

Can universities and colleges apply?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.

Can local government agencies apply?

Yes. State, county, city or township governments, as well as special district governments, are listed as eligible.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is June 2, 2026.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 30, 2026.

What kinds of outcomes does NIJ want researchers to measure?

Based on the description, NIJ is interested in measurable impacts on investigations, prosecutions, and overall justice outcomes. Examples mentioned include investigative clearance rates, operational effectiveness, and reductions in crime laboratory backlogs, along with evidence on which interventions or system changes lead to improvements.

What is NIJ hoping to learn from these funded projects?

NIJ is looking for stronger evidence about what works, what does not, and the measurable impacts of forensic science investments. The intention is to generate findings that are credible and actionable for improving forensic science systems, evaluating and implementing innovations, and strengthening the workforce.

Is this opportunity focused on basic research or applied research?

The opportunity emphasizes rigorous, applied research and evaluative studies focused on real-world operation of forensic science systems and their effects on the criminal justice process.

What does NIJ mean by focusing on "forensic science systems"?

In this opportunity, the focus is on how forensic science systems operate (including implementation, quality assurance, policies, training, and operational deployment) and how those systems affect investigations, prosecutions, courts, and broader justice outcomes.