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Arts & Culture
Ryplle ID RYP-0638Last checked Oct 28, 2026

NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders

National Institute of Justice

Funding range
$0 – $3.5M
Application window
Opens: Not listed
Closes: November 30, 2026
Applications Status:Open
Location
National
Apply on funder's site

Source & verification

Original funding source
www.grants.gov
Last checked
October 28, 2026
Last reviewed by Ryplle
Not yet recorded

Source checks may be automated. Review dates reflect a recorded staff review. Confirm current requirements with the funder.

Eligibility at a glance

Listed applicant types
Student, Nonprofit, Business
Geographic eligibility
National
Matching funds
Not specified — check with the funder
Major exclusions
Not specified — check with the funder

Listed types are not a determination of eligibility. The funder’s full requirements take precedence.

Full eligibility requirements

Eligible applicants: Special district governments; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); County governments; Private institutions of higher education; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Independent school districts; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; State governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); City or township governments; Small businesses.

About this grant

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.

Contact information