NIJ: Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes

The National Institute of Justice is seeking proposals for basic or applied research and development projects that will:

1. Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice or;
2. Result in the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods that have the potential for forensic application.

The intent of this program is to direct the findings of basic scientific research, research and development in broader scientific fields applicable to forensic science, and ongoing forensic science research toward the development of highly discriminating, accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence for criminal justice purposes.

NIJ is interested in funding innovative research in developing fields, as applied to the forensic sciences. Proposals that contribute to the following national research initiatives may be given special consideration in award decisions:

• Nanotechnology:  NIJ is interested in funding proposals that employ nanotechnology to advance the forensic science disciplines. Information on the National Nanotechnology Initiative can be found at:  www.nano.gov

• Microbiome:  NIJ is interested in funding proposals investigating the microbiome for forensic applications beyond postmortem interval (i.e., time since death) determination. Information on the National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project can be found at:   www.commonfund.nih.gov/hmp/index

• Fatal Head Trauma (The BRAIN Initiative):  NIJ is interested in funding proposals investigating the human brain for forensic applications. Information on the BRAIN Initiative can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/brain-initiative

For more information, see the solicitation at:  https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl001149.pdf

The deadline for proposals is April 8, 2015.