NIJ Research and Development in Forensic Science

NIJ R&D of Innovations in Forensic Science

Supports forensic innovation teams improving AI and biotech solutions through practical trials.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, funds the development of new analytical methods, forensic technologies, and validation studies through its Research and Development of Innovations in Forensic Science solicitation. The FY25 opportunity (O-NIJ-2025-172598) is one of three companion forensic science solicitations in the FY25 cycle — alongside O-NIJ-2025-172599 (Forensic Science Systems) and O-NIJ-2025-172604 (Testing of Physical Evidence) — all sharing a JustGrants deadline of June 9, 2026. NIJ's forensic R&D program targets advances across disciplines including DNA analysis, latent prints, firearms and toolmarks, digital evidence, and biological evidence.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, universities, research organizations, and for-profit entities registered in the United States; individuals may not apply directly. The award instrument is a grant. Like all NIJ solicitations, this one uses a two-stage submission: Grants.gov submission is due June 2, 2026, followed by the JustGrants application due June 9, 2026. Award amounts and detailed eligibility criteria are contained in the full PDF solicitation attached to the opportunity page and were not captured at catalog entry. NIJ does not accept unsolicited proposals outside of its competitive solicitation windows.

Strong candidates demonstrate a track record of peer-reviewed forensic science research, access to validated reference materials or casework samples, and laboratory infrastructure appropriate to the proposed discipline. Proposals should address specific capability gaps identified in NIJ's forensic science technology working group reports or respond to documented practitioner needs. Partnerships between academic researchers and operational crime laboratories strengthen applications by ensuring findings translate to real-world adoption.