In support of the DOJ's crime prevention and law enforcement goals, the objective of this program is to promote applied research that examines the feasibility, impact, and costefficiency of criminal justice tools, protocols, and policies designed to address drug trafficking, markets and use, and the effects of drug legalization and decriminalization on law enforcement. The scope of the program is defined as investigator-initiated field research applicable to State, tribal, and local jurisdictions that addresses one of the two following criminal justice activities in the context of: marijuana and cannabis products, heroin and other opioids (including diverted prescription drugs), and/or novel psychoactive substances (also known as synthetic drugs).
In FY 2018, NIJ has identified two drug priorities:
- Drug trafficking, markets, and use related to heroin and other opioids (including fentanyl, diverted pharmaceuticals, synthetic drugs, and analogues)
- Criminal Investigation and Prosecution - NIJ seeks proposals for research on criminal case investigation and prosecution related to narcotics law enforcement, forensic science, and medicolegal death investigation.
- Drug Intelligence and Community Surveillance - NIJ seeks proposals for research on improvements to aggregate data collection, analysis, and dissemination that support drug intelligence and community surveillance goals.
- Illegal marijuana markets and drug-related violent crime - ?NIJ seeks proposals for research on the violent and other crime associated with illegal marijuana markets
Applications must address at least one of these drug priorities, and a single application may address both drug priorities. Other drugs may only be included in addition to NIJ's drug priorities with clear justification relating to research and practice, such as drugs produced or used in combination with these. NOTE: A single application may not address both priorities, but researchers may submit a separate application to study a second priority.