National Institute of Justice

01/28/2025

In 2021, NIJ funded a comprehensive scan of guardianship abuse and fraud in the United States, to better understand what typical guardianship cases look like, how prevalent abuse is within this system, and how to prevent it.

In the latest episode of the Justice Today podcast, we discuss the findings with the researchers. Listen now: https://justicetoday.buzzsprout.com/1861872/episodes/16429040-guardianship-abuse-bad-apples-or-tip-of-the-iceberg

Or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nnCsinEFrT8?si=LVr9TNa_l5arDuKx

01/24/2025

Evaluation research is helping us assess programs that provide young victims of commercial s*xual exploitation with services to improve their health and education goals, among other healing outcomes.

Check out a new report from the Crimes against Children Research Center and their victim service provider partner Love146:

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/309569.pdf

01/22/2025

Researchers identified best practices for law enforcement interviews of trafficking victims. Download a practical guide to interviewing potential human trafficking victims to help :

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/practical-guide-interviewing-potential-human-trafficking-victims?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=htpreventionmonth2025

01/22/2025

Confused about the difference between a guardian and a conservator? NIJ’s Term of the Month provides a good starting point, clarifying the responsibilities of guardians, who may need them, and the potential harm that adults with guardians may be vulnerable to.

View the Term of the Month: https://nij.ojp.gov/term-month?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-medial&utm_campaign=totmjan2025 -2025-%E2%80%94-guardians

01/22/2025

S*x trafficking is a global human rights issue and a form of violence with numerous health consequences. But empirical literature on recruitment into trafficking is unclear. How can we learn more about the initial phase of recruitment?

Check out a systematic review of the research:

https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/mechanisms-recruitment-s*x-trafficking-operations-systematic-review?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=htpreventionmonth2025

*xTrafficking

This systematic review of the global literature on recruitment into s*x trafficking reveals a need for more targeted research on the initial recruitment phase of s*x trafficking and research with traffickers.

01/17/2025

Investigators have long used es**rt ads as evidence to identify potential s*x trafficking victims. Recent research can help law enforcement use these ads more effectively to generate leads or support investigations on trafficking while reducing false positive identifications.

Read: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/unconventional-wisdom-research-shakes-assumptions-about-s*x-trafficking-clues?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=htpreventionmonth2025

*xTrafficking

01/17/2025

Guardianship or conservatorship abuse cases involving high-profile individuals, like Britney Spears, can make national headlines. But after national interest fades, the systemic issues remain.

To learn how the guardianship system is actually working, and the scope and prevalence of guardianship abuse in the U.S., NIJ funded a comprehensive national scan. How many individuals suffer abuse under guardianship? To what extent does guardianship, when properly executed, improve the lives of those it’s intended to serve?

Joining us to discuss the research are Erica Wood, former assistant director of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, and Dr. Pamela Teaster, Professor and Director of the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech.

Tune in now: https://justicetoday.buzzsprout.com/1861872/episodes/16429040-guardianship-abuse-bad-apples-or-tip-of-the-iceberg

01/16/2025

Human trafficking response practitioners—and survivors—can benefit from what rigorous research tells us.

For Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’re highlighting products and findings that NIJ-supported scientists and partners developed in the field to help improve system response, from prevention to prosecution. Check them out to help :

https://nij.ojp.gov/human-trafficking-prevention-month?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=htpreventionmonth2025

01/16/2025

Register for a 2/4 informational webinar on our Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes funding opportunity.

We’re seeking research and evaluation projects that advance the use of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system. Register: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/ra0e70dc03faefe3d8b20823e0a272bc9

01/15/2025

Register for a webinar to examine state victim compensation programs across the U.S. Discussion will include an overview of the use, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness of state victim compensation programs in meeting victims’ needs.

Join us Thursday, January 30: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/re125737152c8aa829a98f73a6bf0d2d6

01/15/2025

Register for a 1/23 funding webinar on our Office of Justice Programs Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative ( ) Research and Evaluation solicitation. We’re seeking research and evaluation projects that advance the development and understanding of CVIPIs. Register: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/r5dac72958164ba4c8e40d9a39715fe4f

01/15/2025

Register for a 2/3 funding webinar on our Research and Evaluation on Hate Crimes solicitation. We’re seeking proposals for research and evaluation projects to inform policy and practice to prevent and combat hate crimes and their effects Register: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/r2da43ac4fa7a7a1756db859e235f6749

01/15/2025

Applications for NIJ’s 2025 Research Assistantship Program. The deadline to apply for our research assistantships is Monday, January 20.

We welcome applications from all doctoral students interested in contributing to the breadth and depth of criminal justice science:

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/nijs-research-assistantship-program?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=rap2025

01/14/2025

New Funding: Research and Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic Laboratories

NIJ seeks proposals for research and evaluation studies to produce practical knowledge to improve the examination and interpretation of physical evidence in forensic science laboratories across the community of practice.

The first submission deadline is April 1, 2025.

Review the funding opportunity: https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172329?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=solicitationfy25

01/14/2025

New Funding: Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) Research and Evaluation

NIJ seeks funding applications for rigorous, independent evaluation projects that advance understanding of Office of Justice Programs CVIPIs.

The CVIPI program provides resources to support evidence-informed violence intervention and prevention programs in communities across the United States.

The first submission deadline is March 27, 2025.

Review the funding opportunity: https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172328?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=solicitationfy25

01/14/2025

Register for a 2/5 funding webinar on our Social Science Research and Evaluation on Forensic Science Systems solicitation. We’re seeking proposals for rigorous applied social science research and evaluative studies on the forensic science system. Register: https://ojpmeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/rf85c0655d95ed7e4ea75b00abfeff51c

01/14/2025

New Funding: Research and Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence for Criminal Justice Purposes

We’re seeking proposals for research and evaluation projects that advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal justice system.

Research should explore both the benefits and limitations of AI, addressing potential risks and downstream impacts. Emphasis is placed on transparency, accountability, and civil rights protections.

The goal is to improve the fairness, accuracy, and effectiveness of criminal justice processes through AI applications in crime prevention, public safety, and justice system decision-making.

The first application deadline is March 20, 2025.

Review the funding opportunity: https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172317?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=solicitationfy25

01/13/2025

New funding opportunity: NIJ seeks applications for funding of rigorous research and evaluation projects on drugs and crime to help develop evidence-based tools, practices, and policies for state, tribal, and local law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies that address drug trafficking, drug markets, and drug-related violence, specifically related to fi****ms; the intersection of drug crimes and firearm offenses in trends, interdiction, and prosecution; and efforts to disrupt those criminal activities and related violence.

Applications are due in a two-step submission process (3/31/25 and 4/14/25).

Review solicitation details: https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-nij-2025-172321?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=solicitationfy25