NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking

Source-based overview

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking. This opportunity supports proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to better understand, respond to, and reduce Human Trafficking in the United States in three areas: (1) prevention, including justice system and other initiatives to prevent trafficking in the first place or to prevent further harm after it has occurred, (2) evaluation of federal policies that may have the unintended consequence of perpetuating or increasing human trafficking, and (3) applied research and program evaluations that directly support effective services for American victims. This NOFO is released by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in collaboration with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The official record contains the controlling eligibility, budget, attachment and submission requirements for opportunity O-NIJ-2026-172799.

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types listed by the agency: City or township governments; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Small businesses; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); State governments; Independent school districts; Private institutions of higher education; County governments; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Special district governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education. Applicants must also satisfy every programme-specific condition in the official notice.

Funding and benefits

Award ceiling: USD 2,500,000

Expected number of awards: 5

Themes and supported activities

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Human Trafficking. This opportunity supports proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects to better understand, respond to, and reduce Human Trafficking in the United States in three areas: (1) prevention, including justice system and other initiatives to prevent trafficking in the first place or to prevent further harm after it has occurred, (2) evaluation of federal policies that may have the unintended consequence of perpetuating or increasing human trafficking, and (3) applied research and program evaluations that directly support effective services for American victims. This NOFO is released by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in collaboration with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).

Opportunity number: O-NIJ-2026-172799

Deadline and timeline

Applications close 2026-11-16: Applications close 2026-11-16: Nov 16, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Open the official Grants.gov record, review the full notice and attachments, and use the application package or agency route stated there.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.