NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders

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. Program Details National Institute of Justice is a federal agency that offers the NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders grant program to support eligible programs and projects. This funding opportunity is available nationally and is administered by National Institute of Justice through Grants.gov. Organizations seeking funding for eligible programs and projects should review the details below and confirm their eligibility before preparing an application. Eligibility Eligible applicants include tribal governments and Native American organizations, government agencies and municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and to review the full program guidelines before submission. Because eligibility rules and funding priorities can change between cycles, applicants should always confirm the current requirements with National Institute of Justice or on Grants.gov before investing time in an application. Funding and Timeline Funding available: $0 – $3.5M. The application deadline is November 30, 2026 (38 days remaining). Applicants should allow sufficient time to gather required documentation, including organizational information, project descriptions, budgets, and supporting materials as specified in the program guidelines. Submitting a complete application well ahead of the deadline reduces the risk of disqualification on technical or administrative grounds. Program Focus This grant supports eligible programs and projects. This grant is associated with NAICS industry classifications: 541720, 922120. Organizations operating in these sectors are encouraged to review eligibility. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with the program's stated objectives. Grant recipients may be required to submit progress reports and final evaluations as a condition of the award, and to retain records for audit and compliance purposes. How to Apply Eligible organizations can apply through Grants.gov. Create a free organization profile on GrantRegister to see whether this grant matches your organization's NAICS code, entity type, location, and focus area, and to receive a weekly digest of every open grant you qualify for. GrantRegister maintains a complete, authoritative registry of US federal, state, and foundation grant opportunities — matched automatically to your organization profile and delivered every Monday.

Eligibility

• Funded by NIJ

Award details

Award range: $0 – $3.5M. Applications close on November 30, 2026 (38 days remaining).

Categories

Not categorized