NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders
Updated
Grant from the National Institute of Justice, open to small businesses. Closes Nov 30, 2026, 37 days left.
| Opportunity number | O-NIJ-2026-172805 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institute of Justice |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Field | Science, technology and other research and development |
| Award ceiling | $3.5 million |
| Expected number of awards | 6 |
| Total program funding | $3.5 million |
| Cost sharing or matching | Not required |
| Assistance listing | 16.560 |
| Posted | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Closes | Nov 30, 2026 (37 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar |
Who can apply
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see the eligibility notes)
Other Units of Local Government
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.
Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov
Science, technology and other research and development grants right now
There are 94 open federal grants in science, technology and other research and development that small businesses may apply for; 40 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $2.2 million; this grant offers up to $3.5 million. The agencies offering the most are U.S. National Science Foundation, Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA and National Institute of Justice. Grants in this field stay open a median of 154 days; this one is open for 39 days.
Who has won this program before
- Research Triangle Institute $13.2 million · from Jan 1, 2024
- University Of Pittsburgh - Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education $12.4 million · from Jan 1, 2018
- The CNA Corporation $7.0 million · from Jan 1, 2025
- National Policing Institute $3.0 million · from Jan 1, 2024
- Icahn School Of Medicine AT Mount Sinai $2.5 million · from Jan 1, 2021
The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 16.560 with funding activity since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.
Other open grants in the same program
Under assistance listing 16.560, the federal program this grant is paid from.
More open grants from the National Institute of Justice
9 open grants from this agency accept small businesses, with $49.1 million in total program funding listed.