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The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, evaluation and technology agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. This guide is for research administrators and investigators who need to know what NIJ funds, who is eligible, and how an NIJ application moves through SAM.gov, Grants.gov and JustGrants. Facts below are as described on NIJ’s official pages on 2026-11-07; solicitations change each cycle, so the current solicitation always governs.
What NIJ is and who runs it
Who has the U.S. Department of Justice? NIJ is one component of the Department of Justice, sitting under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The department as a whole is led by the Attorney General; NIJ’s own mission is to “foster and disseminate knowledge and tools derived from objective and rigorous scientific research” (NIJ, About NIJ, read 2026-11-07). Its authority sits in Title 34 of the U.S. Code, Subtitle I, Chapter 101, Subchapter II. The NIJ director makes final award decisions.
Who is NIJ research? NIJ both funds external research and conducts intramural research. Its stated principles are relevant, responsive, rigorous, collaborative, fair and open, and ethical, and it describes its model as “Listen, Learn, Inform.” NIJ is at 999 N. Capitol St., NE, Washington, DC 20531.
NIJ’s six portfolios
What is a good research topic for criminal justice? NIJ organises its work into six portfolios, which are a sourced starting map of fundable topic areas:
- Crime prevention and control
- Forensic and investigative services
- Justice system operations
- Technology
- Victimization
- Youth safety and justice
Specific topics (for example crime and justice research, human trafficking or school safety) appear as FY2026 solicitations on the NIJ funding page. For forensic topics, see our guide to what forensic science is.
Criminal justice or criminology
What is better, criminal justice or criminology? Neither is better; they are different fields. Criminal justice concerns the systems of police, courts and corrections, while criminology studies crime and its causes. Our field guides cover each: what criminal justice is and what criminology is.
Eligibility
NIJ states that eligibility varies by solicitation, and some solicitations are invitation-only. Read the eligibility section of each notice of funding opportunity (see our guide to the NOFO) rather than assuming a type of institution qualifies. NIJ generally does not accept unsolicited proposals (Guidance for Applicants and Awardees, read 2026-11-07).
What NIJ funds and requires
NIJ funding includes research and evaluation awards, fellowships and scholar programs, LEADS, and the NIJ Challenge Program (prizes). Awards can cover up to 100% of project cost; if an approved voluntary match is included in an application, it becomes mandatory and subject to audit.
Results leave NIJ through established channels: data go to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, evaluations may be rated on CrimeSolutions, and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence supports forensic practitioners. Award terms therefore include data archiving, and applications carry up to 14 research-related attachments as applicable, such as a Data Management, Sharing, and Archiving Plan (no more than two pages), a Privacy Certificate (required even without identifiable data), and a Protection of Human Subjects assurance. For plan structure see data management plan.
Application steps
- Register. Register on SAM.gov and Grants.gov first; NIJ states you cannot submit any OJP application until you do. Grants.gov registration may take about 3-5 business days, and NIJ solicitations say SAM.gov registration can take up to 10 business days. SAM registration must be renewed every 12 months, and an expired one can block submission. See SAM.gov representations and certifications.
- Submit the SF-424 in Grants.gov. This is step one of a two-step process; if it fails, you cannot apply in JustGrants. See the Grants.gov Workspace guide.
- Submit the full application in JustGrants, with attachments. The minimum for technical review is the SF-424, Standard Applicant Information, Proposal Narrative, Budget, Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support forms, and a Tribal Authorizing Resolution if applicable.
- Keep confirmations from SAM.gov, Grants.gov and JustGrants. The JustGrants Service Desk is 833-872-5175 or [email protected], as listed in NIJ solicitations.
Typical timeline phases
| Phase | What happens (as described by NIJ) |
|---|---|
| Registration | SAM.gov and Grants.gov accounts active before the solicitation closes |
| Grants.gov step | SF-424 due one week before the closing date in the solicitations read |
| JustGrants step | Full application due on the closing date |
| Review | OJP’s competitive review process, then final decision by the NIJ director |
| Notification | Successful applicants notified; unsuccessful applicants receive a rejection letter |
| Award management | Read the award package and special conditions; contact the assigned grant manager about deliverables |
After the award
NIJ points awardees to the OJP Postaward Requirements guide, the DOJ Grants Financial Guide and NEPA guidance. Publications must carry the required NIJ award statement and be submitted as award deliverables; press releases go to NIJ at least 10 working days before public release; and websites showing funded work need the federal funding and disclaimer notice. Reporting requirements vary by program.
Common mistakes
- Letting the SAM.gov registration lapse, which can block both Grants.gov and JustGrants submission.
- Treating the Grants.gov SF-424 as the whole application; the full submission happens in JustGrants.
- Missing the earlier Grants.gov deadline, which is one week before the closing date in the solicitations read.
- Omitting a Privacy Certificate on the assumption that no identifiable data means none is needed.
- Sending an unsolicited proposal.
Related programs and resources
| Resource | Role as described by NIJ |
|---|---|
| Office of Justice Programs (OJP) | Parent office; runs the competitive review process |
| National Archive of Criminal Justice Data | Receives data from NIJ-funded research |
| CrimeSolutions | NIJ evaluations may be rated here |
| NamUs | National missing and unidentified persons system; reporting under 34 U.S.C. 40505 |
| Forensic Technology Center of Excellence | Forensic technology support, part of NIJ’s dissemination |
FAQ
What is the NIJ address?
999 N. Capitol St., NE, Washington, DC 20531, per NIJ’s About page (read 2026-11-07).
Can I send NIJ an unsolicited proposal?
NIJ generally does not accept them; apply through a posted solicitation.
Where do funding opportunities appear?
On the NIJ funding page, with the Grants.gov and JustGrants closing dates in each solicitation.
Sources
- NIJ, About NIJ, read 2026-11-07
- NIJ, Guidance for Applicants and Awardees, read 2026-11-07
- NIJ FY2026 solicitations on nij.ojp.gov/funding, read 2026-11-07
