NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems

The National Institute of Justice is seeking applications for cooperative agreements to support research and evaluation on forensic science systems under its FY25 program. The opportunity funds rigorous applied research and evaluative studies on how forensic science affects the criminal justice system and law enforcement operations. Key areas include impacts on investigative clearance rates, law enforcement effectiveness, crime lab backlogs, implementation of new forensic methods, courtroom admissibility and evidentiary reliability, and development of the forensic science workforce. The opportunity offers up to $2 million in total funding for an estimated six awards, has no matching requirement, closes on June 2, 2026, and provides technical assistance through the OJP Response Center.