NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Funding to Support the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program | O NIJ 2023 171873

Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2023 171873

The NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Funding to Support the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), under CFDA 16.560. It is designed to fund a single, focused research and development effort in forensic science that can either expand the scientific knowledge base used to shape forensic policy and practice or produce practical outputs such as materials, devices, systems, or methods with clear potential for forensic application. The opportunity sits within the Office of Justice Programs broader priorities of advancing civil rights and racial equity, improving access to justice, supporting victims and others impacted by the justice system, strengthening community safety, addressing evolving public safety threats, and building trust between law enforcement and communities.

At its core, the solicitation seeks rigorous basic or applied R and D projects that strengthen the scientific foundations of forensic work used in the criminal justice system. NIJ is emphasizing projects that push forensic science toward methods that are more discriminating and accurate, more reliable and reproducible, faster to implement, and more cost-effective in real-world settings. While a proposed project does not have to deliver an immediate, ready-to-deploy solution to a current operational problem, it must at least tackle foundational scientific work that credibly leads toward eventual solutions that practitioners can use. In other words, the program is meant to move the field forward in a measurable way, whether that is through validated insights that guide decision-making or through prototype tools and methods that can mature into operational capabilities.

The solicitation also frames project relevance around the needs of the forensic science community. Applicants are expected to connect their work to documented challenges and practitioner priorities, including needs discussed during NIJs Forensic Science Technology Working Group (TWG) meeting (materials referenced on NIJ.OJP.gov) and additional research needs identified by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC). This alignment matters because NIJ is explicitly encouraging research that responds to operational realities in forensic laboratories and investigative settings, even when the research itself is early-stage or exploratory.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding opportunity number is O-NIJ-2023-171873. The award ceiling listed is $266,406, and NIJ anticipated making one award. The posting indicates it was created on August 31, 2023, with an original closing date of September 5, 2023, reflecting a very short submission window typical of an invited-to-apply competition. Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others," with clarification intended to appear in the solicitation under an additional eligibility section, which generally means applicants must consult the full notice to confirm exactly which organization types can apply under this invitation.

Finally, the solicitation cites multiple statutory authorities that underpin NIJs ability to fund this work: Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202), provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233 and 235), and 28 U.S.C. 530C. These authorities collectively support NIJs role in advancing criminal justice-related science and technology, including forensic science R and D that can improve how evidence is identified, analyzed, and interpreted in support of justice system outcomes.

• The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Funding to Support the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program" 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 Aug 31, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 05, 2023. (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 $266,406.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for O NIJ 2023 171873

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