Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2026 172785
Apply for O NIJ 2026 172785
- 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 - Operation of the Secretariat of SC 37 under JTC 1 of ISO/IEC" 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 $60,000.00 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 NIJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Operation of the Secretariat of SC 37 under JTC 1 of ISO/IEC is a continuation grant opportunity from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) intended to support the ongoing U.S. role in international biometric standards development. The central purpose is to fund the reliable, competent leadership, management, and administrative support needed to operate the Secretariat for ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics) and to help SC 37 and its Working Groups carry out standards development and maintenance in line with the ISO/IEC Directives. A key practical component of this work includes organizing and operating SC 37 meetings, which are essential for coordinating international participation, advancing drafts, resolving technical comments, and maintaining published standards over time.
NIJ frames this award as part of its legislated responsibilities to promulgate standards and support conformity assessment activities that benefit law enforcement and the broader criminal justice community. In this context, biometric standards are not just abstract technical documents; they can shape how technologies are specified, tested, evaluated, and compared, including high-impact tools such as facial recognition software. By supporting the SC 37 Secretariat, NIJ is helping ensure that U.S. leadership and administrative capacity are in place to facilitate the development of standards that can underpin minimum performance requirements, testing approaches, and interoperability expectations that matter to operational public safety needs.
The technical scope of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 is the standardization of generic biometric technologies related to human beings, with a specific emphasis on interoperability and data interchange among applications and systems. In plain terms, SC 37 work aims to make biometric systems more consistent in how they represent, exchange, and interpret biometric data, so that systems can work together more reliably across vendors, jurisdictions, and use cases. This kind of standardization can reduce fragmentation, support clearer procurement requirements, and improve confidence that biometric data and performance claims are comparable across implementations.
This is a highly restricted, invited competition rather than an open solicitation. Only an applicant that has received an official invitation letter from NIJ is eligible to apply, and applicants are directed to that letter for the specific eligibility requirements. The solicitation also states that the application will only be accepted from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), making ANSI the sole eligible applicant for this opportunity.
In terms of administrative details, the funding opportunity number is O-NIJ-2026-172785, the instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number listed is 16.560. NIJ expects to make a single award under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of $60,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-09-30, and the original application closing date is 2026-10-07.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "NIJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Operation of the Secretariat of SC 37 under JTC 1 of ISO/IEC."
Which agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
What is the central purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to fund the reliable, competent leadership, management, and administrative support needed to operate the Secretariat for ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics) and to help SC 37 and its Working Groups carry out standards development and maintenance in line with the ISO/IEC Directives.
What does "Operation of the Secretariat" mean in practice?
Based on the description provided, it includes leadership, management, and administrative support for ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics), along with practical responsibilities such as organizing and operating SC 37 meetings to coordinate international participation, advance drafts, resolve technical comments, and maintain published standards over time.
Why are SC 37 meetings described as essential?
They are described as essential because they support coordinating international participation, advancing standards drafts, resolving technical comments, and maintaining published standards over time.
How does NIJ describe the broader importance of funding this work?
NIJ frames this award as part of its legislated responsibilities to promulgate standards and support conformity assessment activities that benefit law enforcement and the broader criminal justice community.
How can biometric standards supported by this work affect real-world public safety technology?
The description notes that biometric standards can shape how technologies are specified, tested, evaluated, and compared, including high-impact tools such as facial recognition software. The supported work can help underpin minimum performance requirements, testing approaches, and interoperability expectations that matter to operational public safety needs.
What is the technical scope of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 (Biometrics)?
The technical scope is the standardization of generic biometric technologies related to human beings, with a specific emphasis on interoperability and data interchange among applications and systems.
What does the emphasis on interoperability and data interchange mean?
In plain terms, it means SC 37 work aims to make biometric systems more consistent in how they represent, exchange, and interpret biometric data, so systems can work together more reliably across vendors, jurisdictions, and use cases.
What potential benefits of this standardization are mentioned?
The information provided mentions that this kind of standardization can reduce fragmentation, support clearer procurement requirements, and improve confidence that biometric data and performance claims are comparable across implementations.
Is this an open competition?
No. It is described as a highly restricted, invited competition rather than an open solicitation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only an applicant that has received an official invitation letter from NIJ is eligible to apply, and applicants are directed to that letter for specific eligibility requirements. The solicitation also states that the application will only be accepted from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), making ANSI the sole eligible applicant.
What should an invited applicant rely on for the exact eligibility requirements?
The opportunity directs applicants to the official NIJ invitation letter for the specific eligibility requirements.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is O-NIJ-2026-172785.
What is the award instrument type?
The instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What CFDA number is listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 16.560.
How many awards does NIJ expect to make under this opportunity?
NIJ expects to make a single award under this opportunity.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $60,000.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-09-30.
What is the original application closing date?
The original application closing date is 2026-10-07.
What is the broader U.S. role this grant supports?
It is intended to support the ongoing U.S. role in international biometric standards development by ensuring U.S. leadership and administrative capacity are in place to facilitate the development and maintenance of standards through ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37.
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