National Institute of Justice Offers Funding to Study School Safety Programs
A $5 million opportunity targets research on anonymous threat reporting and school threat assessment teams, with six awards anticipated.
- By Chelsey Arries
- October 13, 2026
The National Institute of Justice is accepting proposals for $5 million in funding to address gaps in research on K-12 school safety.
The agency expects to make six awards through its fiscal year 2026 school safety research program. Funding will support research and evaluation projects focused on anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including apps, telephone hotlines and websites, as well as school threat assessment and intervention teams that coordinate with school employees and law enforcement.
Researchers will examine both program results and how safety measures are implemented. The opportunity seeks evaluations of federally supported school violence prevention initiatives or comparable programs with similar objectives.
Applicants are encouraged to involve educators and community partners in developing research questions, gathering information and interpreting results. Proposals should explain how researchers will measure relevant factors, obtain access to existing data and address limitations.
Eligible applicants include school districts, colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and government entities.
About the Author
Chelsey Arries is assistant editor of Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.