NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on School Safety | O NIJ 2024 171992

Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2024 171992

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), working in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on School Safety" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2024-171992). The program is designed to support rigorous research and evaluation that strengthens what the field knows about school safety, with a clear emphasis on closing practical knowledge gaps that affect prevention strategies, policy decisions, and the effective use of federal resources. The solicitation sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 16.560. The application closing date for the original competition was May 7, 2024, and the opportunity was created on February 20, 2024.

The solicitation targets two main research tracks. First, NIJ is seeking studies that dig into the root causes and consequences of school violence. In practice, this means research that helps explain why school violence occurs, what factors increase or reduce risk, and what impacts violence has on students, staff, schools, and surrounding communities. The intent is not simply descriptive work, but research that can meaningfully advance understanding of drivers, patterns, and outcomes in ways that can guide prevention and response.

Second, NIJ is requesting evaluations that examine the impact and effectiveness of awards made under the STOP School Violence Act. This track focuses on understanding what federally funded school-safety efforts are actually accomplishing, how implementation is working in real settings, and whether outcomes match the goals of the program. The core purpose is to assess effectiveness and generate evidence that can inform future funding, program design, and operational decisions by schools and communities. Because this line of work centers on awards made for authorized STOP School Violence Act purposes, it is especially relevant for applicants positioned to access or analyze program data, conduct implementation and outcome evaluations, or compare approaches across jurisdictions and school contexts.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of entities that may be well positioned to conduct or partner on research and evaluation. Eligible applicants include state, county, 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/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The opportunity description also highlights units of local government, reflecting the practical, community-facing nature of school safety work and the value of research grounded in local implementation and outcomes.

NIJ anticipates making approximately six awards under this solicitation, with an award ceiling of up to $6,000,000. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward applicants capable of producing methodologically strong, policy-relevant evidence, either by advancing foundational knowledge about the causes and consequences of school violence or by evaluating the real-world performance of STOP School Violence Act-funded initiatives so decision-makers can better understand what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

• The National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on School Safety" 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 2024-02-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-07. (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 $6,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• 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, Others.

Apply for O NIJ 2024 171992

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