NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders
Agency: National Institute of Justice
Assistance Listings
- 16.560 -- National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants
Open opportunityLast Updated: Oct 22, 2026
View version history on Grants.gov
Description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders. This opportunity seeks proposals for rigorous evaluations of implementations of drone technology to combat violent crime, immigration enforcement, and other law enforcement activities.
The goal of this NOFO is to provide actionable information about police implementation of small drones through a collaboration between law enforcement agencies and researchers. NIJ welcomes research and evaluation of drones as first responders (DFR) capabilities, including evaluation of existing...
capabilities or pilot programs at police departments already using DFR, as well as implementation of new pilot programs or demonstrations. NIJ expects research entities and law enforcement agencies to collaborate on implementing DFR and evaluating operational performance. Law enforcement agencies participating in evaluations will have the option to retain any DFR technology purchased through the NOFO at the study’s conclusion.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Business
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Education
- Independent school districts
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
- Other Native American tribal organizations
Government
- City or township governments
- Public and Indian housing authorities
- Special district governments
- State governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- County governments
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Other Units of Local Government
Grantor contact information
Description
For assistance with the requirements of this funding opportunity, please contact OJP Response Center at Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only) or Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. Hours of operation are: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday. OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
Agency POC
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
Closing: November 30, 2026
Award
$3,500,000
Program Funding
6
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$3,500,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
O-NIJ-2026-172805
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
--
Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
October 22, 2026
Archive date:
--
