NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories

The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), operating under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is soliciting applications for its grant opportunity titled “Invited to Apply – Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories.” This initiative is designed to support evidence-based research and evaluation projects that enhance the methods used for analyzing and interpreting physical evidence within forensic laboratories. The overarching goal is to produce practical knowledge and tools that improve laboratory protocols, promote accurate forensic interpretation, and ultimately enhance the criminal justice system’s ability to serve justice fairly and efficiently. This solicitation is continuation-based and exclusively open to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the sole invited applicant identified in an official NIJ letter. The program aims to address critical challenges faced by publicly funded forensic laboratories by supporting rigorous studies that evaluate existing laboratory procedures or assess new methodologies. Applications should propose research that either identifies best practices in current protocols or explores emerging techniques that could improve lab efficiency, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and turnaround times. The intent is to deliver findings that have direct application to forensic policy and practice. Funding under this NOFO totals $930,640, with a single award anticipated. The performance period for the grant is set at 12 months, beginning April 1, 2026. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching. Applications must be submitted in a two-step process: first via Grants.gov for the SF-424 form by February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET, followed by a full application submission in JustGrants by February 25, 2026 at 8:59 PM ET. The process includes specific application components such as a detailed proposal narrative, budget detail form, data management and archiving plan, privacy certificate, and human subjects protection documentation. The program encourages multidisciplinary teams and partnerships between researchers and accredited forensic science laboratories. It stresses the importance of a data archiving strategy aligned with NIJ requirements, mandating submission of data and study-level information to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD). The deliverables for this grant include a technical summary with SOPs and validation summaries, scholarly products such as journal articles or conference presentations, and comprehensive datasets with documentation suitable for public access. Proposals will be evaluated on their potential to improve forensic practice, the rigor of their research design, and the qualifications of project personnel. Preference is given to projects that include statistical expertise and that foster collaboration with operational labs. While this NOFO does not allow funding for certain activities (e.g., programs that impede federal immigration enforcement or provide legal services to unlawfully present individuals), it is deeply committed to civil rights compliance and scientific integrity. The primary point of contact for this opportunity is Jillian Conte, Physical Scientist at NIJ, reachable at [email protected] or 202-451-7164. Additional support is available for technical issues with Grants.gov or JustGrants. All award recipients are required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and a final technical report. Recipients must also archive associated datasets and metadata in accordance with NIJ guidelines, reinforcing the agency’s emphasis on transparency, reproducibility, and the broader dissemination of knowledge within the forensic science and criminal justice communities.

Include a statistician or quantitatively trained evaluator on your project team to meet NIJ expectations for methodological rigor.