NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is offering a competitive funding opportunity intended to bolster efforts in identifying, researching, and educating stakeholders about Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). The initiative, titled "Invited to Apply - Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute," is structured as a continuation award and is available exclusively to the Frederic Rieders Family Renaissance Foundation, as explicitly stated in the eligibility criteria. This grant is expected to fund one cooperative agreement totaling up to $2,000,000 for a 12-month period of performance, beginning on April 1, 2026. The initiative reflects the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to supporting innovative research and solutions that address emerging threats in public health and safety, particularly those linked to synthetic drugs and the opioid crisis. The core objective of this funding opportunity is to enhance the operation of the NPS Discovery Institute. The funded project must aim to rapidly identify newly emerging opioids, stimulants, and other synthetic drugs that have intoxicating or impairing effects. In doing so, the program must provide a robust early warning system capable of disseminating real-time alerts to forensic laboratories, public health authorities, law enforcement, treatment centers, and the general public. The project’s scope includes the development and dissemination of analytical methodologies and testing recommendations tailored for state, local, federal, and private drug testing and toxicology laboratories. Additionally, the Institute is expected to explore innovative sample sources such as wastewater and syringe washes to better monitor trends in synthetic drug use. A significant component of the initiative involves curating a standardized reference database of forensically relevant drug substances, especially NPS. This reference must prioritize systematic naming conventions and include synonyms to foster greater consistency in how emerging substances are tracked, tested, and reported across jurisdictions. The successful applicant will be required to test a minimum of 4,000 samples annually, spanning both solid drug samples and toxicological samples from diverse sources, and must be equipped with collaborations that support this geographically and contextually broad scope of testing. The award carries distinct expectations regarding dissemination and performance reporting. Deliverables must include scholarly products such as peer-reviewed journal articles and public-facing educational materials including webinars, podcasts, and trend reports. A final technical summary and data submission to an approved repository (preferably NACJD) are also required. Data transparency and usability are emphasized, with strict archiving standards to ensure that other researchers can reproduce or extend findings. NIJ also anticipates that new technologies, methods, or tools developed during the project will be field-tested and accessible to third parties for evaluation. From a compliance standpoint, applicants are required to submit a wide array of application materials through a two-step process using Grants.gov and JustGrants platforms. The initial SF-424 form must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on February 25, 2026, followed by the complete application package in JustGrants by 8:59 PM ET on March 4, 2026. Required documents include a proposal narrative, budget form, data management and archiving plan, curriculum vitae for key personnel, and performance measures, among others. In terms of evaluation, NIJ will assess applications based on clarity, feasibility, potential impact, and adherence to the goals of the funding opportunity. This program is structured as a cooperative agreement, implying significant involvement from NIJ during the project’s implementation. As such, funded activities will be closely coordinated and monitored by NIJ to ensure alignment with federal objectives. While the NOFO does not require cost sharing or match funding, applicants must comply with all other federal requirements, including civil rights compliance, financial reporting, and public disclosure standards. The opportunity is classified as a continuation award and is not open to general competition. All awarded activities must conclude within the 12-month performance window, though future continuation may be subject to availability of funds and successful prior performance.