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NIJ is interested to fund a single evaluator that will have the capabilities to assess the effectiveness of a few promising technologies that can enhance safety within K-12 schools. Evaluations should consider the school environment and use cases as well as the kinds of data that might be collected or used as a result of the technology intervention. Applicants are encouraged to explore technologies that have worked for use cases in other ecosystems that may translate well to the K-12 school environment.

Programs funded under the Second Chance Act help ensure that the transition individuals make from prison and jail to the community is successful and promotes public safety. Section 101 of the Second Chance Act authorizes federal awards to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated or detained.

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a cooperative agreement for an 18-month period to begin no later than September 15, 2013. Work under this cooperative agreement will involve the development and piloting of a blended-learning curriculum, which could include the use of virtual instructor-led training (VILT), to address the safety of women inmates within correctional institutions. The audience for this curriculum represents correctional staff, volunteers, contractors, community stakeholders who work within women's correctional institutions, and community residential facilities. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Community Services Division.

The Graduate Research Fellowship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (GRF-STEM) provides awards to accredited academic institutions to support graduate research leading to doctoral degrees in topic areas that are relevant to ensuring public safety, preventing and controlling crime, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice in the United States. Applicant academic institutions sponsoring doctoral students are eligible to apply only if the doctoral student's degree program is a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline; and the student's proposed dissertation research has demonstrable implications for addressing the challenges of crime and/or the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice in the United States.Awards are anticipated to be made to successful applicant institutions in the form of grants to cover fellowships for the sponsored doctoral students

NIJ seeks investigator-initiated applications for funding for research and evaluation related to reducing firearms violence and understanding the causes and effects of firearms violence. This solicitation aims to strengthen our knowledge base and improve public safety by producing findings with practical implications for reducing firearms violence. This solicitation is focused specifically on producing research related to intentional, interpersonal firearms violence. NIJ is particularly interested in supporting research related to the following three areas identified in the 2013 report by the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council titled Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence: (1) the characteristics of firearm violence; (2) risk and protective factors; and (3) interventions and strategies.

BJA's mission is to provide leadership and services through grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support local, state, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. Driving BJA's work in the field is the following principles: to reduce crime, recidivism, and unnecessary confinement, and promote a safe and fair criminal justice system. To implement our strategies consistent with these principles, BJA supports effective criminal justice policy, programs, information sharing, and collaborations within state, local, and tribal agencies and communities, and promotes the use of data, research, and information to increase the effectiveness of criminal justice programs. BJA has four primary components: Policy, Programs, Planning, and the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Office. The Fellows will work in the Policy Office, which provides national leadership in criminal justice policy, training, and technical assistance to further the administration of justice. It also acts as a liaison to national organizations that partner with BJA to set policy and help disseminate information on best and promising practices. To address emerging issues and build capacity to improve the administration of criminal justice, BJA launched the BJA Visiting Fellows Program in FY2012. The intent is to leverage state, local, or tribal subject-matter expertise to assess areas of need and to develop strategies, tools, and policies in collaboration with BJA staff for the benefit of the criminal justice field. By hosting up to five Fellows with FY 2014 funds, BJA will collaborate with practitioners and researchers to build capacity to address gaps in priority and emerging issues in the criminal justice field.

NIJ is seeking proposals for research on firearms and violence such as, but not limited to, gun violence prevention programs based on general prevention theory, the effects of criminal justice interventions on reducing gun violence, improving data systems for studying gun violence, illicit gun markets, and the effects of firearm policies and legislation on public safety.

The Graduate Research Fellowship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (GRF-STEM) provides awards to accredited academic institutions to support graduate research leading to doctoral degrees in areas that are relevant to ensuring public safety, preventing and controlling crime, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is seeking applications for funding of innovative doctoral dissertation research in the social and behavioral sciences that is relevant to providing solutions to better ensure public safety, prevent and control crime, and ensure the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice in the United States. This program furthers the Department's mission by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels   Eligible applicants are limited to degree-granting academic institutions in the United States and its territories. To be eligible, the institution must be fully accredited by one of the regional institutional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Under this solicitation, the applicant institution must apply as the sponsoring institution for the doctoral candidate who will be conducting criminal-justice-related research in a discipline relevant to NIJ's mission. An eligible applicant may submit more than one application, as long as each application proposes a different project in response to the solicitation. (Applicants should also review and consider the "Duplicate Applications" note under How to Apply in Section D. Application and Submission Information.) NIJ may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Approximately 2.2 million people were incarcerated in federal, state, and local prisons and jails in 2013, a rate of 1 out of every 110 adults.1 For the first time since 2009, the state prison population grew between 2012 and 2013; many prison populations remain near all-time high levels and face crowding or resource challenges. And state spending on corrections has remained high. Over the last 25 years, state corrections expenditures have increased exponentially-from $12 billion in 1988 to more than $55 billion in 2013, a significant increase even accounting for inflation.2 Justice reinvestment emerged as a way to address these issues through a targeted, data-driven policymaking process. BJA, in a public/private partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, launched the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) in 2010 as a multistaged process in which a jurisdiction increases the cost-effectiveness of its criminal justice system and reinvests savings into high-performing public safety strategies.

Approximately 2.2 million people were incarcerated in federal, state, and local prisons and jails in 2013, a rate of 1 out of every 110 adults.1 After three years of declines, the prison population increased slightly in 2013, largely due to growth in state prison populations. These prisons face crowding and resource challenges. Accordingly, state spending on corrections has remained high. Over the last 25 years, state corrections expenditures have increased significantly-from $12 billion in 1988 to more than $55 billion in 2013. Justice reinvestment emerged as a way to address these issues through a targeted, datadriven policymaking process. BJA, in a public/private partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, launched the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) in 2010 as a multistaged process in which a jurisdiction increases the cost-effectiveness of its criminal justice system and reinvests savings into high-performing public safety strategies. JRI is a public-private partnership between BJA, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and JRI technical assistance (TA) and assessment providers. Funding from BJA is authorized under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Pub. L. 113-235.

The Smart Defense Initiative, administered by BJA, is part of BJA's "Smart Suite" of criminal justice programs including Smart Pretrial, Smart Policing, Smart Supervision, and Smart Prosecution. BJA established the Smart Suite over 5 years ago with the creation of the Smart Policing Initiative. The Smart Suite supports criminal justice professionals in building evidencebased, data-driven criminal justice strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical. BJA's smart programs represent a strategic approach that brings more "science" into criminal justice operations by leveraging innovative applications of analysis, technology, and evidence-based practices. In many states, the public defense delivery system is in crisis, with too many defendants lacking access to quality advice and representation. In addition to being a matter of constitutional concern, this void can contribute to over-incarceration, reduced confidence in the justice system, and other inequities. Without quality effective representation, a defendant may not be treated fairly, may not understand the process, and may not get the benefit of available alternatives to incarceration for first-time or low-level offenses. Additionally, ifthese issues are not addressed, victims are ill-served and the criminal justice system's shared goals of justice and public safety go unmet. To help jurisdictions strengthen state and local public defense delivery systems, BJA is releasing this competitive grant announcement. Under Smart Defense, BJA is seeking applicants who are interested in developing innovative, data-driven approaches to improve their public defense delivery systems guided by the Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. This program is funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. L. No. 113-76).

There are a multiple states, counties, cities, and tribes that are interested in implementing "Swift, Certain, and Fair" (SCF) models of supervision with offenders in the community. This interest has grown out of the potential promise that these SCF models have shown in effectively reducing recidivism and preventing crime. In particular, Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program has been shown to have promise, and as a result there is significant interest and activity in implementing models of supervision and other versions of the HOPE model which rely on swift, certain, and fair sanctions to improve the outcomes of individuals under community supervision.SCF approaches are intended to: (a) improve supervision strategies that reduce recidivism; (b) promote and increase collaboration among agencies and officials who work in community corrections and related fields to enhance swift and certain sanctions; (c) enhance the offenders' perception that the supervision decisions are fair, consistently applied, and consequences are transparent; and (d) improve the outcomes of individuals participating in these initiatives. Through this FY 2015 grant announcement, BJA will select multiple applicants to implement or enhance a HOPE model using SCF. Applicants selected under this announcement will work with BJA and its SCF training and technical assistance (TTA) partner to implement the model with fidelity.BJA is supporting this effort to enhance public safety, foster collaboration, and improve the outcomes of individuals under the supervision of community corrections. This program is funded under the Project HOPE appropriation (P.L. 113-235).

The Smart Prosecution Initiative, administered by BJA, is part of BJA's "Smart Suite" of crime fighting programs including Smart Policing, Smart Probation, and Smart Pretrial. Funding for this initiative is anticipated through the FY 2015 appropriation. BJA established the "smart suite" over five years ago with the creation of the Smart Policing Initiative. The smart suite supports criminal justice professionals in building evidence-based, data-driven criminal justice strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical. BJA's smart programs represent a strategic approach that brings more "science" into criminal justice operations by leveraging innovative applications of analysis, technology, and evidence-based practices. Historically, prosecutors have worked tirelessly to address criminal justice problems in their community. In recent years they have recognized a need to adopt innovative strategies and to engage in data-driven decision making to proactively contribute to crime prevention and response. They also recognize the effectiveness of collaborating with other criminal justice partners, stakeholders and the community to reduce violent crime and achieve safer communities. The Smart Prosecution model builds off of the lessons learned from BJA's other smart suite programs and seeks to pair action researchers with prosecutor offices to develop solutions-such as "hot spot" strategies, sophisticated crime analysis, offender-based policies, and risk and needs assessment-that create prosecution strategies in an effort to break down information silos, advance communities, improve public trust and confidence in the justice system, and increase public safety. Smart Prosecution seeks to act as a catalyst, promoting criminal justice and non-criminal justice information sharing to improve results for communities. Lessons learned from Smart Prosecution will develop a rich body of evidence for use by prosecutors nationally as they seek to work w

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the US Department of State (DOS). The Office of Africa and Middle East Programs (INL/AME) is the designated lead for capacity building with criminal justice sector institutions in the Middle East, in particular with Lebanon. The goal of this project is to increase the ISF's capability to administer a correctional system that is consistent with international standards through having a proper classification system, institutionalized SOP's and a corresponding curriculum with sufficient training that will improve the safety of corrections officers and inmates.

NIJ is seeking applications for the funding to maintain and enhance the National Juvenile Justice Data Analysis Program to ensure that vital statistical information is available to the field regarding juvenile risk behaviors, juvenile victimization and offending, and the juvenile justice system’s response to law-violating behavior. These important data inform juvenile justice policy and practice at the federal, state, and local levels. This solicitation will support efforts in assembling juvenile justice-related data sets, analyzing and reporting on complex data and issues, and developing publications and online resources to make juvenile justice data easily accessible to the general public. The successful applicant will also work closely with NIJ and OJJDP to further develop and implement innovative dissemination strategies and tools that facilitate the use of juvenile justice data. This solicitation supports the U.S. Department of Justice’s priority of promoting public safety and reducing crime by producing and disseminating vital statistical information on a range of topics related to juvenile crime, victimization, and justice involvement.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is seeking applications under its Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Program, which provides awards to accredited universities for doctoral research that uses BJS’s criminal justice data or statistical series and focuses on one of the top Department of Justice (DOJ) priorities: enhancing national security and countering terrorism threats, securing the borders and enhancing immigration enforcement, reducing violent crime and promoting public safety, or prosecuting federal drug crimes and enforcing the rule of law.

The fiscal year (FY) 2019 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (BWC PIP) directly supports key priorities of the Department of Justice by promoting the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens and capturing an unbiased recording of police interactions with the public. BWCs can provide critical visual and audio records of interactions. When properly deployed, research has shown that a BWC program can reduce civilian complaints, reduce use of force, and improve justice outcomes. Through this solicitation, BJA intends to select one training and technical assistance provider for BWC PIP to support law enforcement agencies that are planning, expanding, and enhancing their BWC programs. The selected TTA provider will prioritize support to law enforcement agencies that have received funding through BJA’s Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. When funding is available, the awardee must also provide TTA to nongrantees that request assistance within the scope of the BWC program.

There is an extreme shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists in the United States, as underscored in the 2009 report by the National Academies of Sciences on Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States. This program will address strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner system in two project areas: 1.) By increasing the number and quality of board-certified forensic pathologists who choose the forensic pathology sub-specialty, following the completion of an accredited pathology medical residency program. 2. Assisting ME and Coroner offices achieve accreditation through a recognized accreditation body (examples: NAME, IACME). This program furthers the OJP's goal to increase public safety and improve the fair administration of justice across America through innovative leadership and programs. Compliance with accreditation requirements will assist medical examiner and coroner offices to strengthen the quality of services and data reporting.

Among its provisions, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 authorized BJA to manage a grant program that would support efforts by states, local units of government, and federally-recognized Indian tribes to prevent and reduce school violence. This solicitation specifically seeks applicants to serve as a training and technical assistance (TTA) provider, on BJA’s behalf, to provide TTA and other support to awardees under the BJA STOP Prevention Training and Response to Mental Health Crisis Program, the BJA STOP Technology and Threat Assessment Solutions for Safer Schools Program, and the COPS Office STOP School Violence Prevention Program, in order to develop a knowledge base and technical assistance delivery model for communities seeking to improve school safety.