Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2026 172787
Apply for O NIJ 2026 172787
- The National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Advancing the Understanding of 3D Algorithms for Firearm Identification" 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 2026-09-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-07. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is offering a continuation grant opportunity titled "NIJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Advancing the Understanding of 3D Algorithms for Firearm Identification" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2026-172787). The focus is on rigorous research and evaluation that strengthens how forensic laboratories use 3D algorithm-based methods to identify, analyze, and interpret firearm-related physical evidence for criminal justice purposes. NIJ is looking for work that can clearly point the forensic community toward the most efficient, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective approaches, with an emphasis on results that can be translated into real-world laboratory practice rather than remaining purely academic.
Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to do one or both of the following. First, they may evaluate existing and emerging laboratory protocols to identify best practices and communicate them to the broader forensic community. Second, they may produce findings that have a direct and immediate impact on laboratory efficiency, particularly in ways that help laboratories make informed policy decisions (for example, decisions about workflows, validation approaches, quality assurance practices, staffing, or technology adoption). The opportunity is rooted in practical operational needs and encourages applicants to align proposed work with challenges and priorities raised by the forensic science community, including needs identified through Forensic Science Research and Development Technology Working Group (R&D TWG) meetings. NIJ also points applicants to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) as a source for additional forensic science research needs and priorities.
A major theme in the solicitation is dissemination that actually changes practice. NIJ specifically wants proposals to include robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies, not just a final report or a journal publication. That means applicants should plan for how results will reach the practitioners who can use them, and how those results will be positioned to influence laboratory policies and procedures. NIJ encourages partnerships with organizations and professional associations that are well placed to move research into standards, guidance, training, and day-to-day laboratory decision-making. The solicitation also encourages multidisciplinary research teams, reflecting the expectation that credible progress in 3D firearm identification algorithms often requires a blend of expertise (for example, firearm/toolmark examination, 3D metrology, statistics, computer science, quality management, and operational laboratory leadership).
This is an invited-to-apply opportunity with a strict eligibility limitation. Only the organization that received an official invitation letter from NIJ may apply, and the eligible applicant is Houston Forensic Science Center, Inc. Applications from other entities will not be accepted. The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, and the assistance listing (CFDA) number associated with this program area is 16.560.
The application deadline is October 7, 2026, and the opportunity was created on September 30, 2026. NIJ anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $500,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. Overall, the opportunity is designed to produce actionable evidence about how 3D algorithmic approaches for firearm identification can be validated, implemented, and used in ways that improve accuracy and efficiency in casework while supporting defensible, well-informed laboratory policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIJ grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "NIJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Advancing the Understanding of 3D Algorithms for Firearm Identification."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-NIJ-2026-172787.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number associated with this program area?
The assistance listing number associated with this program area is 16.560.
What type of funding instrument is NIJ using for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses a grant as the funding instrument.
What is the main focus of the research under this continuation grant?
The focus is on rigorous research and evaluation that strengthens how forensic laboratories use 3D algorithm-based methods to identify, analyze, and interpret firearm-related physical evidence for criminal justice purposes.
What kinds of outcomes is NIJ trying to drive with this solicitation?
NIJ is looking for work that can clearly point the forensic community toward approaches that are efficient, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective, with results that can be translated into real-world laboratory practice rather than remaining purely academic.
What are the two main project directions NIJ expects funded projects to pursue?
Funded projects are expected to do one or both of the following: (1) evaluate existing and emerging laboratory protocols to identify best practices and communicate them to the broader forensic community, and/or (2) produce findings that have a direct and immediate impact on laboratory efficiency, including support for informed laboratory policy decisions.
What does NIJ mean by "direct and immediate impact" on laboratory efficiency?
Based on the solicitation language, NIJ is emphasizing results that help laboratories make informed policy decisions such as decisions about workflows, validation approaches, quality assurance practices, staffing, or technology adoption.
Is this opportunity meant to support purely academic research?
No. NIJ highlights an emphasis on results that can be translated into real-world laboratory practice, with a strong focus on practical operational needs.
How should applicants align their proposed work to community needs?
The opportunity encourages applicants to align proposed work with challenges and priorities raised by the forensic science community, including needs identified through Forensic Science Research and Development Technology Working Group (R&D TWG) meetings.
Does NIJ mention any other sources of research needs or priorities?
Yes. NIJ points applicants to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) as a source for additional forensic science research needs and priorities.
How important is dissemination in this solicitation?
Dissemination is a major theme. NIJ explicitly wants robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies, not just a final report or a journal publication.
What does NIJ expect dissemination to achieve?
NIJ is looking for dissemination that reaches practitioners who can use the results and positions the findings to influence laboratory policies and procedures.
Does NIJ encourage partnerships as part of the dissemination plan?
Yes. NIJ encourages partnerships with organizations and professional associations that are well placed to move research into standards, guidance, training, and day-to-day laboratory decision-making.
Does the solicitation encourage multidisciplinary research teams?
Yes. The opportunity encourages multidisciplinary research teams and notes that credible progress in 3D firearm identification algorithms often requires blended expertise.
What kinds of expertise are relevant to a multidisciplinary team for this work?
The solicitation provides examples including firearm/toolmark examination, 3D metrology, statistics, computer science, quality management, and operational laboratory leadership.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
This is an invited-to-apply opportunity with a strict eligibility limitation. Only the organization that received an official invitation letter from NIJ may apply.
Which organization is the eligible applicant named in the opportunity?
The eligible applicant is Houston Forensic Science Center, Inc.
Will NIJ accept applications from other organizations or partners?
No. The opportunity states that applications from other entities will not be accepted.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is October 7, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on September 30, 2026.
How many awards does NIJ anticipate making?
NIJ anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
What activity category does NIJ list for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What is the overall purpose of the opportunity in practical terms?
Overall, the opportunity is designed to produce actionable evidence about how 3D algorithmic approaches for firearm identification can be validated, implemented, and used to improve accuracy and efficiency in casework while supporting defensible, well-informed laboratory policies.
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