Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2023 171870
The NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply grant is a discretionary research and development award from the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), created under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). It is designed to support activities tied to Section 13(d) of Executive Order 14074, with an emphasis on strengthening public trust and accountability in the justice system while advancing civil rights and racial equity. The opportunity sits within OJP's broader mission of increasing access to justice, supporting victims and individuals affected by the justice system, improving community safety, and protecting the public from evolving crime and technology-related threats.
At its core, the solicitation funds a study of how law enforcement agencies are using several advanced and sometimes controversial technologies and analytic approaches. On the forensic side, the grant supports work examining probabilistic genotyping, which uses statistical models to help interpret complex DNA mixtures; forensic DNA phenotyping, which attempts to infer certain physical traits or ancestry-related information from DNA; and forensic investigative genetic genealogy, which uses genetic data and genealogy methods to generate investigative leads, often by looking for relatives in genealogy databases. On the policing strategy side, it also covers person-based predictive policing approaches, meaning methods that attempt to forecast individuals who may be at elevated risk of involvement in future crime events, whether as potential offenders or victims. The purpose is not simply technical performance evaluation, but to understand law enforcement use in practice in the context of the policy direction laid out in Executive Order 14074, including potential implications for rights, equity, oversight, and community confidence.
The award structure reflects a targeted, limited competition format. It is labeled "Invited to Apply," which typically indicates NIJ is soliciting an application from a specific eligible entity or a very limited set of entities, rather than running an open competition. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification expected in the full solicitation's eligibility section, but the practical reality of an invited competition is that NIJ has already identified who should submit. NIJ anticipated making a single award, with an award ceiling of $650,000, indicating one primary project of moderate size rather than multiple smaller grants.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number O-NIJ-2023-171870 and is associated with CFDA 16.560, NIJ's core assistance listing for criminal justice research and evaluation. The solicitation was posted on August 29, 2023, and had an original closing date of September 1, 2023, which is an unusually short window consistent with an invitation-only process. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, signaling that NIJ expects a research-driven deliverable such as an assessment, evaluation, or policy-relevant study rather than direct service delivery or equipment purchasing.
The legal authority behind the program draws from several major federal statutes that underpin DOJ research and justice assistance 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. Together, these authorities support NIJ's role in funding research, technology assessment, and evidence-building efforts that help guide criminal justice policy and practice. In practical terms, this grant is aimed at producing credible findings and recommendations that can help federal stakeholders and the field better understand how these high-impact technologies are being deployed, what safeguards and governance practices exist, and what risks or inequities may arise if they are used without clear standards, transparency, and oversight.Apply for O NIJ 2023 171870
- 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 - Support Activities under Section 13(d) of Executive Order 14074" 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 29, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 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 $650,000.00 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: NIJ FY 2023 "Invited to Apply" Grant (O-NIJ-2023-171870)
What is the NIJ FY 2023 "Invited to Apply" grant?
This is a discretionary research and development grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). It is intended to fund research tied to Section 13(d) of Executive Order 14074, with a focus on strengthening public trust and accountability in the justice system while advancing civil rights and racial equity.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-NIJ-2023-171870.
What CFDA/assistance listing is associated with this grant?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 16.560, NIJ's core assistance listing for criminal justice research and evaluation.
What is the primary purpose of the funded project?
The solicitation funds a study of how law enforcement agencies are using certain advanced technologies and analytic approaches in practice, with attention to the policy direction in Executive Order 14074 and potential implications for rights, equity, oversight, and community confidence.
How does this opportunity relate to Executive Order 14074?
The work is designed to support activities tied to Section 13(d) of Executive Order 14074, emphasizing public trust and accountability in the justice system and advancing civil rights and racial equity.
What broader mission area does this fit within?
The opportunity aligns with OJP's broader mission, including increasing access to justice, supporting victims and individuals affected by the justice system, improving community safety, and protecting the public from evolving crime and technology-related threats.
What types of technologies and approaches are included on the forensic side?
The solicitation specifically includes study of:
- Probabilistic genotyping (statistical modeling to interpret complex DNA mixtures)
- Forensic DNA phenotyping (attempts to infer certain physical traits or ancestry-related information from DNA)
- Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (uses genetic data and genealogy methods to generate investigative leads, often by identifying relatives in genealogy databases)
What policing strategy approach is included?
The solicitation includes person-based predictive policing approaches, meaning methods that attempt to forecast individuals who may be at elevated risk of involvement in future crime events, whether as potential offenders or victims.
Is the grant focused only on technical performance testing of these tools?
No. The stated purpose goes beyond technical performance evaluation. It emphasizes understanding real-world law enforcement use in practice and examining implications connected to rights, equity, oversight, and community confidence in line with Executive Order 14074.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What activity category does NIJ list for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, indicating NIJ expects research-driven outputs such as an assessment, evaluation, or policy-relevant study (rather than direct service delivery or equipment purchasing).
Is this an open competition?
No. It is labeled "Invited to Apply," which typically indicates NIJ is soliciting an application from a specific eligible entity or a very limited set of entities rather than running a broad, open competition.
What does "Invited to Apply" imply for potential applicants?
Based on the solicitation description, an invited competition usually means NIJ has already identified who should submit an application. Even though eligibility may be described in general terms in the notice, the practical expectation is that only the invited entity (or entities) will apply.
How is eligibility described in the notice?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others,"
How many awards does NIJ anticipate making?
NIJ anticipated making a single award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $650,000.
When was the solicitation posted?
The solicitation was posted on August 29, 2023.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was September 1, 2023.
Why is the application window so short?
The unusually short window is consistent with an invitation-only process, where the intended applicant(s) are already identified and prepared to submit.
What kinds of deliverables is NIJ likely seeking from this project?
Based on the description, NIJ is seeking research-driven outputs such as credible findings and recommendations that help federal stakeholders and the broader field understand how these technologies are deployed, what safeguards and governance practices exist, and what risks or inequities may arise without clear standards, transparency, and oversight.
What policy and governance issues are central to the study?
The study is framed around potential implications for rights, equity, oversight, transparency, standards, and community confidence, consistent with the Executive Order emphasis on accountability, civil rights, and racial equity.
What legal authorities are cited as the basis for the program?
The legal authority includes:
- Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202)
- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233 and 235)
- 28 U.S.C. 530C
What do these legal authorities support NIJ in doing?
They support NIJ's role in funding research, technology assessment, and evidence-building efforts intended to inform and guide criminal justice policy and practice.
What is the core topic area NIJ is trying to better understand?
The core topic is how high-impact, advanced, and sometimes controversial forensic and policing technologies are being used by law enforcement in practice, and what that means for safeguards, governance, rights, equity, and public trust.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: FY24 Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants
Previous opportunity: Locally Led Development Annual Program Statement (APS)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for O NIJ 2023 171870
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O NIJ 2023 171870) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| USGS Non-Competitive Assistance FY 2023 - Denver Grants Branch Apply for G23AS00057 Funding Number: G23AS00057 Agency: Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $997,833 |
| Naval Engineering Education Consortium (NEEC) Broad Agency Announcement for FY24 Apply for NSWC DD BAA N00178 23 0002 Funding Number: NSWC DD BAA N00178 23 0002 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Naval Engineering Education Consortium (NEEC) Broad Agency Announcement for FY24 Apply for NSWC DD BAA N00178 24 0002 Funding Number: NSWC DD BAA N00178 24 0002 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Funding to Support the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program Apply for O NIJ 2023 171873 Funding Number: O NIJ 2023 171873 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $266,406 |
| Standing Committee on Biotechnology Capabilities and National Security Needs Apply for HQ003423NFOEASD18 Funding Number: HQ003423NFOEASD18 Agency: Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences Apply for 23 621 Funding Number: 23 621 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| NIJ FY23 Center for Enhancing Research Capacity (CERC) at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Apply for O NIJ 2023 171879 Funding Number: O NIJ 2023 171879 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Organismal Response to Climate Change Apply for 23 622 Funding Number: 23 622 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Research Capacity at HBCUs through Exploration and Innovation Apply for 23 626 Funding Number: 23 626 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning Apply for 23 624 Funding Number: 23 624 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards Apply for 23 628 Funding Number: 23 628 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2024 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Apply for DE FOA 0003177 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003177 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Ethical and Responsible Research Apply for 23 630 Funding Number: 23 630 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2024 HERO Appendix B: NASA Human Research Program Omnibus Opportunity Apply for 80JSC024NA001 OMNIBUS Funding Number: 80JSC024NA001 OMNIBUS Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| 2024 HERO Appendix A: NASA Human Research Program Flagship Opportunity Apply for 80JSC024NA001 FLAGSHIP Funding Number: 80JSC024NA001 FLAGSHIP Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Apply for PD 23 277Y Funding Number: PD 23 277Y Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Health and Function Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR ARHF 0066 Funding Number: HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR ARHF 0066 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Employment Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR AREM 0065 Funding Number: HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR AREM 0065 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Community Living and Participation Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR ARCP 0064 Funding Number: HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR ARCP 0064 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR IFRE 0073 Funding Number: HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR IFRE 0073 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "O NIJ 2023 171870", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.