Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2025 172615
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2025-172615; CFDA: 16.560). The program is aimed at supporting research and evaluation that strengthens how artificial intelligence can be used in criminal justice settings, with a strong emphasis on improving lawful decision-making and increasing the accuracy and effectiveness of decisions and operations. NIJ is looking for studies that do more than showcase promising technology; proposals should carefully examine where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and what risks or downstream consequences might appear once AI tools are put into real-world practice.
The core purpose of the funding is to generate practical, evidence-based knowledge about AI applications that support crime prevention, public safety, and the broader functioning of criminal justice systems. NIJ expects research to cover both benefits and limitations, including the possibility of unintended harms. In practice, that means applicants should be prepared to evaluate not only whether an AI tool "works" in a technical sense, but also whether it is suitable for the operational problem being targeted, how it affects outcomes over time, and how its use interacts with legal standards, policies, and decision-making responsibilities. NIJ is explicitly interested in studies that explore AI use cases across policing, corrections, courts, and related criminal justice-adjacent environments, especially where AI is being considered or integrated into everyday workflows.
A defining feature of this opportunity is that it uses a two-stage application process. Applicants must begin by submitting a concept paper rather than a full proposal. NIJ will review concept papers first, and only applicants whose concept papers are judged strong will be invited to submit a full proposal. Submitting a full proposal without an invitation is not allowed under this process. The concept paper requirements and format are provided in the NOFO under the "General Purpose of the Funding" section, so applicants need to follow those instructions closely to be considered for an invitation to the second stage.
In terms of eligibility, NIJ has opened the competition broadly. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other categories identified in the NOFO. The listing also references "Other Units of Local Government," signaling that local governmental entities beyond standard categories may be included where applicable.
The opportunity was created on May 14, 2026, and the original closing date is June 15, 2026. NIJ anticipates making around three awards, with an award ceiling of $2,500,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is science and technology and other research and development. Overall, the NOFO is positioned for applicants who can design rigorous evaluations of AI in criminal justice contexts, including careful attention to operational fit, measurable impacts, and the legal, ethical, and practical risks that can emerge when AI systems influence high-stakes public safety decisions.Apply for O NIJ 2025 172615
- The National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.560.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the official title of this NIJ funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes."
2) What are the key identifiers (Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-NIJ-2025-172615, and the CFDA is 16.560.
3) What is NIJ trying to fund through this program?
NIJ is funding research and evaluation that strengthens how artificial intelligence can be used in criminal justice settings. The emphasis is on improving lawful decision-making and increasing the accuracy and effectiveness of criminal justice decisions and operations, while also examining limitations, risks, and downstream consequences when AI tools are used in practice.
4) What types of AI-related work is NIJ explicitly looking for?
NIJ is looking for studies that go beyond showing a technology is promising. Proposals should carefully examine where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and what risks or unintended harms could emerge once AI is integrated into real-world criminal justice workflows.
5) Is this opportunity focused on research, implementation, or both?
Based on the description provided, the focus is on research and evaluation, specifically generating practical, evidence-based knowledge about AI applications in criminal justice contexts. The NOFO emphasizes evaluating real-world suitability and consequences rather than simply showcasing technology.
6) What criminal justice areas or settings can be included in proposed studies?
NIJ is interested in AI use cases across policing, corrections, courts, and related criminal justice-adjacent environments, particularly where AI is being considered or integrated into everyday workflows.
7) What is the overarching purpose of the funded research?
The core purpose is to generate practical, evidence-based knowledge about AI applications that support crime prevention, public safety, and the broader functioning of criminal justice systems.
8) Does NIJ expect applicants to analyze both benefits and harms?
Yes. NIJ expects research to address both benefits and limitations, including the possibility of unintended harms. The intent is to understand not just whether an AI tool works technically, but whether it is appropriate for the operational problem and what consequences may follow over time.
9) What kinds of questions should the research or evaluation be prepared to answer?
Based on the opportunity summary, NIJ expects applicants to be prepared to evaluate issues such as whether an AI tool is suitable for the operational problem being targeted, how it affects outcomes over time, and how its use interacts with legal standards, policies, and decision-making responsibilities.
10) What is the application process for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses a two-stage application process. Applicants must first submit a concept paper. NIJ will review concept papers and invite only selected applicants to submit a full proposal.
11) Can an applicant submit a full proposal without being invited?
No. Under this two-stage process, submitting a full proposal without an invitation is not allowed.
12) Where are the concept paper requirements described?
The concept paper requirements and format are provided in the NOFO under the "General Purpose of the Funding" section. Applicants are expected to follow those instructions closely to be considered for an invitation to submit a full proposal.
13) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city, or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories identified in the NOFO. The listing also references "Other Units of Local Government," indicating additional local government entities may qualify where applicable.
14) Are both nonprofit and for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the stated limitation that they are not institutions of higher education) as well as for-profit organizations (including small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses).
15) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 14, 2026.
16) What is the original closing date?
The original closing date is June 15, 2026.
17) How many awards does NIJ anticipate making?
NIJ anticipates making approximately three (3) awards.
18) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $2,500,000.
19) What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
20) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is science and technology and other research and development.
21) What makes this NOFO different from a typical single-deadline grant application?
A defining feature is the required concept paper first step. NIJ reviews concept papers and only invites strong concept paper applicants to submit a full proposal. This means the first submission is not a full application package, and a full proposal is only permitted by invitation.
22) What kinds of real-world considerations does NIJ want included in evaluations?
NIJ’s description highlights the need for research that considers operational fit, measurable impacts over time, and how AI tools interact with legal standards, policies, and decision-making responsibilities. It also emphasizes examining risks, downstream consequences, and unintended harms in real-world use.
23) Is NIJ interested in AI that affects high-stakes public safety decisions?
Yes. The NOFO is positioned for applicants who can design rigorous evaluations of AI in criminal justice contexts, including attention to legal, ethical, and practical risks that can emerge when AI systems influence high-stakes public safety decisions.
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