NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is seeking research and evaluation services on drones as first responders for law enforcement operational use cases. The selected recipient will analyze associated technology, policies, and practices; evaluate implementation and sustainability approaches; identify, procure, and deploy products and services for law enforcement use cases; and integrate policies into pilot programs, demonstrations, or existing efforts. Eligible applicants are limited to USA onshore organizations. Applications require a two-step submission process. Applicants must first complete and submit the SF-424 form on Grants.gov by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The full application—including the required proposal narrative, web-based budget form, biographical sketches, and current and pending support forms—must be submitted in JustGrants by December 7, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET. The proposal narrative must be double-spaced in a 12-point font, and the budget accounts for 15 percent of the application review score.