NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Justice System Responses to Illegal Immigration

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for rigorous, applied research and evaluation projects that examine how state, local, and tribal adult criminal‑justice systems respond to illegal immigration and crimes committed by non‑citizens. The focus areas include arrest and apprehension processes, court operations, transportation and detention, fraud investigations, profiling of criminal activity, and counter‑gang/trafficking initiatives. Applicants may propose single‑state or multi‑state studies, and may explore collaborative models among federal, state, local, and tribal entities. Up to five awards will be made, with a total ceiling of $3 million. • Funding mechanism: Grant (CFDA 16.560) • Eligible entities: State, county, city, tribal governments, public‑controlled higher‑education institutions, for‑profit firms, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non‑501(c)(3)), small businesses, and other local government units • Estimated total funding: $3 M; average award ≈ $600 k • Application window: 09 Oct 2026 – 16 Nov 2026 (UTC) • Submission format: Electronic PDF via the NIJ portal • Required deliverables: Research design, data collection, analysis, and actionable policy recommendations on justice‑system responses to illegal immigration.