Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2019 15645
The Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funding opportunity titled "Research and Evaluation on the Administration of Justice, FY 2019" (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2019 15645) is a discretionary grant program intended to support investigator-initiated, interdisciplinary research and evaluation projects that can strengthen how the justice system operates in practice. The opportunity sits at the intersection of law, justice, legal services, and science and technology-focused research and development, and it is tied to CFDA number 16.560. The central aim is to generate rigorous, actionable evidence that can inform policy, improve decision-making, and increase fairness and accuracy in key points of the criminal justice process.
The solicitation focuses on three specific topic areas. First, it invites research on eyewitness evidence, a long-standing and high-impact issue given the role of witness memory, identification procedures, and investigative practices in determining whether cases move forward and how juries interpret identification evidence. Projects in this area would typically examine the reliability of eyewitness identifications, the effectiveness of different lineup or photo array procedures, factors that influence memory and recall, and how courts and law enforcement can reduce error and strengthen evidentiary value.
Second, NIJ seeks studies of police deflection strategies, which generally refer to approaches where police redirect individuals away from arrest and deeper system involvement and toward services or alternative interventions, often in contexts such as substance use, mental health crises, or low-level offenses. Research in this space commonly evaluates how deflection models are implemented, which populations they reach, what outcomes they produce (for individuals and communities), and what operational or legal factors help or hinder success. Emphasis is often placed on evaluating real-world programs, identifying best practices, and clarifying the conditions under which deflection improves public safety and health outcomes while reducing unnecessary justice system contact.
Third, the opportunity calls for research related to forensic science testimony, reflecting ongoing concerns about how forensic evidence is presented in court and how jurors, judges, and attorneys interpret expert claims. Work in this area may explore the clarity and accuracy of testimony, communication of uncertainty and error rates, the potential for overstated conclusions, and how courtroom practices, expert qualifications, and cross-examination shape the way forensic evidence influences verdicts. The goal is to improve the quality and integrity of forensic evidence as it is translated from the lab to the courtroom, thereby supporting more reliable adjudication.
In terms of who can apply, NIJ made the competition broadly open to a wide range of entities and individuals, including state, county, city or township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and individuals. This broad eligibility signals NIJ's interest in tapping expertise from academia, practitioners, research firms, community-based organizations, and cross-sector partnerships.
The solicitation was created on February 5, 2019, with an original application closing date of April 19, 2019. NIJ anticipated making about five awards under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of up to $2,500,000 per award. Overall, the program is designed to fund substantial, high-quality research and evaluation efforts that can produce findings useful to law enforcement agencies, courts, policymakers, and other stakeholders working to improve the administration of justice, particularly in the areas of eyewitness identification, diversion/deflection practices, and the use and interpretation of forensic science in courtroom testimony.Apply for NIJ 2019 15645
- The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research and Evaluation on the Administration of Justice, FY 2019" 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 Feb 05, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 19, 2019. (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 5 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), 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, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Research and Evaluation on the Administration of Justice, FY 2019."
Which agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NIJ 2019 15645.
What type of grant program is this?
This is a discretionary grant program.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to support investigator-initiated, interdisciplinary research and evaluation projects that strengthen how the justice system operates in practice by generating rigorous, actionable evidence to inform policy, improve decision-making, and increase fairness and accuracy in key points of the criminal justice process.
What fields or disciplines does this solicitation connect?
The opportunity sits at the intersection of law, justice, legal services, and science and technology-focused research and development.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The solicitation is tied to CFDA number 16.560.
What topic areas does the solicitation focus on?
The solicitation focuses on three topic areas: (1) eyewitness evidence, (2) police deflection strategies, and (3) forensic science testimony.
What does NIJ mean by "investigator-initiated" research?
Based on the solicitation description, "investigator-initiated" indicates that applicants propose their own research and evaluation projects within the solicitation's topic areas, rather than responding to a single pre-defined study plan.
What kinds of projects fit under the eyewitness evidence topic area?
Projects typically examine the reliability of eyewitness identifications, the effectiveness of different lineup or photo array procedures, factors that influence memory and recall, and how courts and law enforcement can reduce error and strengthen the evidentiary value of eyewitness identification evidence.
Why is eyewitness evidence considered a high-impact research area in this solicitation?
The solicitation highlights eyewitness evidence as long-standing and high-impact because witness memory, identification procedures, and investigative practices can influence whether cases move forward and how juries interpret identification evidence.
What are police deflection strategies in the context of this opportunity?
Police deflection strategies generally refer to approaches where police redirect individuals away from arrest and deeper justice system involvement and toward services or alternative interventions, often in situations involving substance use, mental health crises, or low-level offenses.
What kinds of questions might deflection strategy research address?
According to the solicitation description, research commonly evaluates how deflection models are implemented, which populations they reach, what outcomes they produce for individuals and communities, and what operational or legal factors help or hinder success.
Does the solicitation emphasize real-world program evaluation for deflection strategies?
Yes. The description notes an emphasis on evaluating real-world programs, identifying best practices, and clarifying the conditions under which deflection improves public safety and health outcomes while reducing unnecessary justice system contact.
What does the forensic science testimony topic area cover?
This topic area involves research on how forensic evidence is presented in court and how jurors, judges, and attorneys interpret expert claims, with attention to clarity and accuracy of testimony, communication of uncertainty and error rates, the potential for overstated conclusions, and the role of courtroom practices, expert qualifications, and cross-examination.
What is the goal of the forensic science testimony research area?
The goal is to improve the quality and integrity of forensic evidence as it is translated from the lab to the courtroom, supporting more reliable adjudication.
Who is eligible to apply for this NIJ opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city or township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and individuals.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
Yes. Individuals are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are explicitly included as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, and the eligibility list distinguishes between for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses (both listed as eligible).
Are nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the caveat that they must not be institutions of higher education in the specified higher education categories.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible.
What is the application timeline for this solicitation?
The solicitation was created on February 5, 2019, and the original application closing date was April 19, 2019.
How many awards did NIJ anticipate making?
NIJ anticipated making about five awards under this opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $2,500,000 per award.
What kind of outcomes is NIJ looking for from funded projects?
NIJ is looking for rigorous, actionable evidence that can inform policy, improve decision-making, and increase fairness and accuracy at key points in the criminal justice process, with results useful to stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, courts, and policymakers.
Who are the expected audiences or users of the research findings?
The solicitation indicates findings should be useful to law enforcement agencies, courts, policymakers, and other stakeholders working to improve the administration of justice, particularly in the areas of eyewitness identification, deflection practices, and forensic science testimony.
Does this opportunity support interdisciplinary work?
Yes. The program is described as supporting interdisciplinary research and evaluation projects.
Is this opportunity specifically aimed at improving fairness and accuracy in the justice process?
Yes. A central aim described is to increase fairness and accuracy in key points of the criminal justice process through evidence that improves decisions and informs policy.
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|---|
| Research and Evaluation on Policing, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15543 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15543 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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| Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15444 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15444 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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| Investigator-Initiated Research and Evaluation on Firearm Violence, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15288 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15288 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15231 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15231 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Evaluations of Services for Victims of Crime, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15443 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15443 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Measuring the Impact of Victim Services: Instrument Development, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15594 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15594 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research on Immigration and Crime, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15588 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15588 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation in Safety, Health, and Wellness in the Criminal Justice System, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15283 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15283 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Prosecuting Cold Cases using DNA and Other Forensic Technologies, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15627 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15627 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Evaluation of Street Law Programs, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 16109 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 16109 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Establishment of a National Center on Restorative Justice, FY2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 16510 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 16510 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation of Trafficking in Persons, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17324 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17324 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Research and Evaluation of Domestic Terrorism Prevention, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17311 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17311 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Research and Evaluation of Promising Reentry Initiatives, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17295 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17295 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation on Policing, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17297 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17297 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17331 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17331 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Research into Immigration and Crime, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17310 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17310 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Research and Evaluation on Technology-Facilitated Abuse for Criminal Justice Purposes, Fiscal Year 2020 Apply for NIJ 2020 17309 Funding Number: NIJ 2020 17309 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
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