NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- O-NIJ-2025-172615
- Agency
-
National Institute of Justice
Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $2,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- For Profit Organizations
- City/Township Governments
- State Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Other
- Small Businesses
- Special District Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- OJP Response Center ojp.responsecenter@usdoj.gov (800) 851-3420
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Justice is soliciting applications for research and evaluation of artificial intelligence applications in criminal justice, with concept papers due June 15, 2026. This opportunity is open to higher education institutions (public and private), state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations, small businesses, and special district governments.
NIJ expects to fund studies exploring AI use cases in policing, corrections, courts, or other criminal justice adjacent areas to examine operational suitability and evaluate impacts and outcomes when integrated into practice. Research should address both benefits and limitations of AI, including potential risks and downstream impacts, with emphasis on enhancing lawful decision-making and improving accuracy and effectiveness in crime prevention and public safety.
This is a two-stage process: applicants submit a concept paper first, and NIJ may request a full proposal based on concept paper merit. Applicants should not submit full proposals unless invited.
A pre-application webinar is scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET; preregistration is required. Questions must be submitted to NIJ.NOFO.Support@ojp.usdoj.gov by May 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET with subject line "Questions for NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes Webinar."
The funding instrument is a grant under CFDA 16.560 (National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants). Award periods typically span one to five years, with historical awards ranging from approximately $25,000 to $2.1 million. All successful applicants must retain records for three years following final expenditure report submission and comply with 2 CFR 200 uniform administrative requirements and audit standards.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
May 22, 2026: NIJ has modified this notice of funding opportunity to add pre-application webinar details. The webinar details are as below: Pre-Application Webinar: A webinar on this NOFO will be held on May 26, 2026, at 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET. Preregistration is required for all participants. Register for the webinar. Submit any questions in advance to NIJ.NOFO.Support@ojp.usdoj.gov 24 hours prior to the webinar. Submit questions with the subject "Questions for NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes Webinar." - 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.
Update #1 ·
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.
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