Research and development

NIJ is seeking applications for funding to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation activities to help address the geospatial technology needs of State and local criminal justice agencies. This includes application of new technologies to criminal justice purposes that were not developed specifically for criminal justice use.

NIJ seeks applications for research and development leading to the adoption into practice of safer, more effective less lethal devices by law enforcement and corrections agencies. NIJ is interested in both development of such devices and in necessary underlying research leading to such development.

NIJ is seeking applications for funding the development and evaluation of biometric technologies, or novel applications of biometric technologies, that will reduce crime, enhance law enforcement and corrections officers' ability to correctly identify cooperative and uncooperative individuals, and confirm the identity of individuals in the justice system.

NIJ seeks proposals for funding of research and technology development leading to the introduction of new forensic tools for digital evidence. NIJ is specifically interested in proposals addressing the following topics: 1. Forensic tools for mobile cellular devices. 2. Data forensics in the Internet-based (Cloud Computing) environment. 3. Forensic tools for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. 4. Forensic tools for vehicle computer systems.

NIJ is seeking applications for funding for research and development in fire and arson investigation for criminal justice purposes. This solicitation is aimed at improving the ability of forensic analysts and investigators to locate and identify probative evidence from fire scenes and to enhance the ability of crime laboratories to analyze fire evidence.

NIJ is seeking applications for funding research and development of tools that can enhance the detection and analysis of controlled substances for criminal justice purposes.

NIJ is seeking applications for funding for research and development that can enhance the methods and tools utilized by forensic anthropologists and forensic odontologists to identify unknown decedents and the causes of their deaths.

NIJ is seeking applications for funding research and development of sensor and surveillance technologies to address specific needs in criminal justice. NIJ is particularly interested in the following three areas: 1. Concealed weapons detection (CWD) at a safe distance. 2. Through-the-wall surveillance (TWS) for locating and/or tracking individuals within buildings. 3. Other novel sensor or surveillance technologies, applications, or support functions for specific criminal justice...

NIJ s seeking applications for funding the research, development, testing, and evaluation of emerging communication technology solutions for criminal justice agencies.

NIJ is seeking is seeking applications for funding for research and development that can enhance the forensic uses of DNA technology in criminal justice settings. This solicitation focuses on development of technologies that result in faster, more robust, more informative, less costly, or less labor-intensive identification, collection, preservation, and/or analysis of biological evidence that has the potential for DNA analysis.

NIJ seeks applications to gain research knowledge to increase women's safety and improve the justice system and related responses to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and teen dating violence perpetrated against women. Research is sought on women victims' safety and protection; programs and policies to hold offenders accountable; law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial responses; coordinated community responses; and effective responses to violence against women...

Over the years, NIJ has engaged in a number of research and evaluation efforts to better understand the criminal and juvenile justice problems in American Indian Alaska Native communities and the many challenges tribal nations and American Indians and Alaska Natives face. The goal of this solicitation is to fund research and evaluation that will provide much needed practical, measurable, and descriptive information on methods...

The field of forensic science has experienced numerous advances over the last decade. Improvements in technology have increased capabilities to utilize forensic evidence, both in terms of what can be analyzed and how quickly it can be processed. NIJ is interested in stimulating research to determine how effectively forensic evidence is being used to identify and process criminal offenders and the impact of these advances...

NIJ is soliciting applications for research and evaluation projects that advance the understanding and practice of gang prevention, intervention, and enforcement. At the group level, gangs vary from small local "crews" that are active for only a short period, to multigenerational gangs with local subgroups across multiple states or nations. Gangs also vary widely in terms of organizational sophistication. Across these group-level variations, gang membership...

NIJ is soliciting applications for research and evaluation of pretrial and jail options that promote cost-effective alternatives to detention and incarceration and protect public safety. The Institute has identified the pretrial and jail release phases of the criminal justice system as an understudied research priority. It is at these stages that case management and other key decisions affecting detention, case outcome, and sentencing are made...

NIJ is seeking applications for funding for research projects to address knowledge gaps related to trafficking in human beings in the United States. NIJ is particularly interested in research related to labor trafficking, demand reduction for sex trafficking and commercial sex acts, and in identifying and addressing issues faced by trafficking victims. All applications should be for research with direct, immediate, and obvious implications for...

NIJ is seeking applications to conduct research on policing to improve law enforcement policies and operations at the State and local levels. Effective law enforcement and crime prevention are of critical importance to ensuring the safety of communities throughout the country. Given the limited resources of most police departments and other local criminal justice agencies and groups, it is especially important to determine the effectiveness...

NIJ is seeking applications to conduct social science research on terrorism that will inform national criminal justice policy and practice. Proposed research should aim to improve criminal justice and first responder strategies for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and mitigating terrorist incidents at the Federal, State, and local levels. Applications may address either domestic or international terrorism, but research should have direct, immediate, and obvious...

NIJ is soliciting applications for research and evaluation in the area of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including abuse of individuals who reside either in the community or in residential care facilities). For the purpose of this solicitation, the term "abuse" includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, abandonment and isolation, neglect, or financial or fiduciary abuse perpetrated against any person over the age of...

The Crime and Justice Research solicitation is NIJ's "open" solicitation for social and behavioral research and evaluation on topics relevant to State and/or local criminal and juvenile justice policy and practice. Most crime and justice topics that are relevant to policymakers and practitioners are eligible for consideration. Potential applicants are encouraged to read NIJ's targeted solicitations as they are released to determine which solicitation is...