Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJS 2026 172683
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) FY 2026 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Estimation Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity that supports work to strengthen how national crime and arrest estimates are produced from incident-based reporting data. The central aim is to enhance the technical capacity and day-to-day efficiency of the NIBRS Estimation System so that BJS can generate more timely, reliable, and methodologically sound estimates. In practice, this means improving the systems and statistical processes used to transform NIBRS submissions into national-level indicators, while also refining measurement approaches so the estimates remain accurate, comparable over time, and responsive to changes in reporting coverage and data quality.
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement by BJS during the project period. That structure usually fits projects where the funder expects ongoing coordination on technical decisions, milestones, and deliverables, especially when the work affects a national statistical production system. The funding activity category is Information and Statistics under CFDA 16.734, reflecting that the project is oriented toward statistical infrastructure, estimation methodology, and data system performance rather than direct service delivery.
This opportunity anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an award ceiling of $5,300,000. That scale suggests a large, centralized effort to maintain and modernize the estimation program, potentially including system upgrades, automation to reduce production timelines, improvements in data processing pipelines, and methodological research to address measurement challenges. The description also highlights support for state Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program work, which points to collaboration with state programs that manage or coordinate NIBRS submissions. Supporting state UCR programs can include technical assistance, troubleshooting data quality and validation issues, and helping align state-level practices with national estimation needs, all of which can improve both the completeness and the usefulness of NIBRS-based estimates.
Eligible applicants are broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This eligibility mix indicates BJS is open to proposals from universities, research organizations, and qualified private-sector entities that have the technical expertise to operate statistical estimation systems and manage complex data workflows at a national scale. The opportunity is administered by BJS, and the original closing date is September 21, 2026, with the opportunity created on August 13, 2026.
In summary, this grant is designed to fund one major partner to help BJS improve the NIBRS Estimation System by boosting technical performance and efficiency, speeding up the delivery of national crime and arrest estimates, refining the statistical measurement methods behind those estimates, and strengthening the supporting role of state UCR programs in the overall reporting and estimation ecosystem.Apply for O BJS 2026 172683
- The Bureau of Justice Statistics in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJS FY 2026 National Incident-Based Reporting System Estimation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.734.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses.
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FAQs: BJS FY 2026 NIBRS Estimation Program (CFDA 16.734)
What is the BJS FY 2026 NIBRS Estimation Program?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to support work that strengthens how national crime and arrest estimates are produced using incident-based reporting data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
What is the main goal of this grant?
The central aim is to enhance the technical capacity and day-to-day efficiency of the NIBRS Estimation System so BJS can produce more timely, reliable, and methodologically sound national estimates.
What does "NIBRS estimation" mean in this context?
In this program, it refers to the systems and statistical processes used to transform NIBRS submissions into national-level indicators of crime and arrests, including refining measurement approaches so estimates remain accurate and comparable over time.
What kinds of improvements does BJS expect this project to support?
Based on the opportunity description, expected improvements may include modernizing systems, improving performance and efficiency, strengthening statistical production workflows, and refining methodologies to keep estimates accurate and responsive to changes in reporting coverage and data quality.
Is this grant focused on direct services or operational/statistical infrastructure?
This opportunity is oriented toward statistical infrastructure, estimation methodology, and data system performance, not direct service delivery.
What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category is Information and Statistics, under CFDA 16.734.
What type of award will be made?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by BJS during the project period.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for project execution?
A cooperative agreement typically means ongoing coordination with BJS on technical decisions, milestones, and deliverables, especially because the work impacts a national statistical production system.
How many awards does BJS expect to make?
This opportunity anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $5,300,000.
What does the scale of funding suggest about the project?
The ceiling and single-award structure suggest a large, centralized effort to maintain and modernize the estimation program, potentially spanning system upgrades, automation to reduce production timelines, and methodological work to address measurement challenges.
How does this program relate to state Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) programs?
The description highlights support for state UCR program work, indicating collaboration with state programs that manage or coordinate NIBRS submissions as part of strengthening the overall reporting and estimation ecosystem.
What kinds of support for state UCR programs are mentioned or implied?
The opportunity points to support that can include technical assistance, troubleshooting data quality and validation issues, and helping align state-level practices with national estimation needs to improve completeness and usefulness of NIBRS-based estimates.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Are universities eligible?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes, for-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, per the eligibility description provided.
What kind of applicant does BJS seem to be looking for?
The eligibility mix and project description indicate BJS is open to proposals from organizations with technical expertise to operate statistical estimation systems and manage complex data workflows at a national scale.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 13, 2026.
What is the closing date to apply?
The original closing date is September 21, 2026.
What does the grant aim to improve about national crime and arrest estimates?
It aims to improve timeliness (faster delivery), reliability, and methodological soundness, while ensuring estimates remain accurate, comparable over time, and responsive to changes in reporting coverage and data quality.
What is meant by improving "day-to-day efficiency" of the estimation system?
As described, it refers to making the technical and operational processes behind estimation run more smoothly and efficiently so BJS can generate estimates more quickly and consistently from incoming NIBRS submissions.
Why does the opportunity emphasize comparability over time?
The description indicates BJS wants measurement approaches refined so estimates stay accurate and comparable over time, even as reporting coverage and data quality change, which helps maintain continuity in national indicators.
Does the opportunity specify multiple awards or subawards?
It anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1). No additional details about subawards are provided in the information given.
Does the opportunity mention specific deliverables or required system components?
The information provided does not list specific deliverables. It broadly describes goals such as system and process improvements, efficiency gains, methodological refinement, and support for state UCR programs.
What is the overall summary of what this grant funds?
It is designed to fund one major partner to help BJS improve the NIBRS Estimation System by boosting technical performance and efficiency, speeding delivery of national crime and arrest estimates, refining statistical measurement methods, and strengthening the role of state UCR programs in reporting and estimation.
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