NIJ FY23 Support for the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholars Program | O NIJ 2023 171682

Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2023 171682

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), part of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) within the U.S. Department of Justice, released a discretionary grant opportunity titled "NIJ FY23 Support for the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholars Program" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2023-171682). The core purpose of this solicitation is to sustain and strengthen NIJ's existing Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Scholars Program, which is focused on building stronger in-house research and analytic capacity inside law enforcement agencies. Rather than treating research as something that only happens outside government, the LEADS model is meant to help law enforcement professionals develop practical skills in data, research methods, and evidence-building so agencies can make better decisions, evaluate what they do, and adopt approaches that are supported by credible findings.

The opportunity is framed around several broader OJP priorities: promoting civil rights and racial equity, improving access to justice, supporting victims of crime and people affected by the justice system, strengthening community safety, addressing evolving threats, and improving trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Within that larger mission, this grant is specifically aimed at supporting a program that helps create "research-minded" law enforcement practitioners and strengthens their collaboration with academic partners. The solicitation emphasizes evidence-based policing, which generally means using data, research, and evaluation to guide strategy, operations, and policy, and then continuously testing and improving those decisions based on results.

This funding is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates NIJ expects to have substantial involvement in the funded work compared to a more hands-off formula grant. In practice, that often means closer coordination with NIJ on program direction, deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations, especially because the goal is to support an ongoing national program rather than a one-off local project. The funding activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development, aligning it with program support, research capacity building, training, and related infrastructure that helps translate data and research into operational improvements.

The LEADS Scholars Program itself is described as supporting law enforcement personnel and their academic partners through travel, training, research support, and partnership opportunities. In plain terms, the program is designed to give participants the tools and access they need to build skills, learn current research and analytic techniques, connect with experts, and apply those skills to real policing and public safety problems. That can include structured learning, mentorship, attendance at relevant trainings or convenings, and support to conduct or participate in research and evaluation projects that are directly connected to agency questions. The partnership element matters because it formalizes collaboration between practitioners and researchers, which can help ensure studies are grounded in real operational needs while also meeting professional research standards.

In terms of basic administrative details, the solicitation lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and identifies the program under CFDA number 16.560. The original closing date was June 6, 2023, and the opportunity was created on March 21, 2023. Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and "unrestricted" entities. That wide eligibility suggests NIJ is open to different organizational models for administering and operating program support, as long as the applicant can credibly manage the work and meet federal grant requirements.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as program support for a national capacity-building initiative in policing: it is intended to strengthen law enforcement agencies' ability to work with data, conduct or use research responsibly, and build durable partnerships with academics. By doing so, NIJ is trying to increase the number of law enforcement professionals who can critically assess tactics and policies, measure outcomes, and use evidence to improve public safety while also aligning with broader goals around equity, access to justice, and community trust.

• The National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY23 Support for the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholars 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 2023-03-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-06. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

Apply for O NIJ 2023 171682

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