NIJ FY 2026 State and Local Collection and Reporting of Crime Data

The National Institute of Justice is soliciting proposals for the FY 2026 State and Local Collection and Reporting of Crime Data program under solicitation number O-NIJ-2026-172645, with a deadline for submissions on July 30, 2026. This opportunity focuses on funding rigorous research aimed at evaluating the accuracy and reliability of crime data collection and reporting practices among state and local law enforcement agencies. The program seeks to uncover systemic challenges in how offenses are recorded and reported, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between documented data and actual criminal events. Proposals should prioritize the development of practical, scalable, and broadly applicable best practices that enhance data quality, integrity, and governance across jurisdictions. Applicants are encouraged to design studies that examine the technical, procedural, and organizational factors affecting crime data fidelity, including how agencies define, classify, and transmit offense information. The ultimate goal is to produce actionable insights and standards that can be adopted nationwide to strengthen the consistency and trustworthiness of crime statistics. All proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by the specified deadline, and inquiries can be directed to the National Institute of Justice via the provided point of contact email and phone. This funding opportunity is open to eligible entities under federal auspices and does not specify any set-asides or NAICS codes, with performance expected across various state and local locations throughout the United States.