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Research and development

Expanding Research to Examine the Impacts of Forensic Science on the Criminal Justice System

December 2020

In 2004, the National Institute of Justice created the social science research on forensic sciences (SSRFS) research program to explore the impact of forensic sciences on the criminal justice system and the administration of justice. Much of the early research from the SSRFS program focused on DNA processing and the use of DNA in investigations and prosecutions.

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Research and Evaluation of Services for Victims of Crime, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
In collaboration with the Office of Victims of Crime, NIJ is seeking applications in three main areas under this solicitation: 1) research and evaluation of State crime victim compensation programs; 2) research on the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of services to victims of crime; and 3) evaluation of programs that provide services for victims of crime. Applicants should submit proposals that address one...

Research and Evaluation on School Safety, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to study the root causes of school violence to include the impact and effectiveness of grants made under the STOP School Violence Act. NIJ is particularly interested in examining understudied approaches to improve school safety. Of most interest are anti-violence interventions and threat assessment.

Research on Juvenile Reoffending, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ, in collaboration with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, seeks proposals for rigorous research projects that improve measurement of juvenile reoffending. NIJ encourages applicants to submit proposals for studies that advance knowledge and understanding of juvenile reoffending and aid jurisdictions and juvenile justice agencies in measuring and using juvenile reoffending data appropriately in their efforts to identify priorities, develop...

Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous basic or applied research and development projects. An NIJ forensic science research and development grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project that will 1) Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice; or 2) Lead to the production of useful material(s), device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have the potential for forensic...

Research and Evaluation on Policing, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects that address (1) re-allocation of resources and police operations and functions; (2) police use of force and de-escalations tactics and strategies; and (3) tactics and strategies that strengthen police-community relationships. These contemporary issues in policing are also reflected in the strategic priorities and objectives identified in NIJ’s Policing Strategic Research Plan, 2017-2022. Among...

Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ requests proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to examine reentry initiatives that incorporate promising practices, strategies, or programs. NIJ is interested in supporting multi-site, randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluations of innovative reentry initiatives that are specifically designed to address violent, habitual recidivism; are initiated during an individual’s incarceration and continue in the community; and address multiple criminogenic needs that can...

Longitudinal Research on Delinquency and Crime, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
NIJ seeks proposals for funding to conduct an expansion or extension of one or more ongoing/existing longitudinal research studies that focus on delinquency and crime throughout the life-course of the individual, which may include childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Applicants are encouraged to adopt a holistic approach to the study of child and adolescent development and the emergence, persistence, and desistance of delinquent and criminal...

Research on Juvenile Justice Topics, Fiscal Year 2021

Closing Date
With this solicitation, NIJ, in collaboration with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), seeks proposals for rigorous research projects that inform policy and practice in the field of juvenile justice. Specifically, this solicitation seeks proposals for studies that advance knowledge and understanding in one of the following two priority topic areas: (1) juvenile justice responses to the COVID-19 pandemic or (2) deinstitutionalization...