NIJ Announces Investment to Enhance Research at Minority-Serving Institutions
The National Institute of Justice, within the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, today announced a new investment of $1 million to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to bolster the research infrastructure and capabilities of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) within the criminal justice field.
“NIJ is dedicated to building and enhancing research capacity at Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said NIJ Director Nancy La Vigne. “I am so pleased to announce the award to John Jay College of Criminal Justice today, a historic Hispanic and Minority Serving Institution, as it will help level the playing field for MSIs to compete for research grants, build a pipeline of MSI scholars pursuing research on issues of crime and justice and enhance the essential role of MSIs in producing scientific research that reflects a diversity of experiences and perspectives.”
In FY 2023, NIJ solicited proposals for the development, operation and management of the Center to Enhance Research Capacity at Minority Serving Institutions, the first of its kind. The goals of the Center are to enhance the competitiveness of MSI research institutions and organizations, increase the probability of long-term growth of research funding to investigators at MSIs and increase the pool of MSI researchers and graduates who are engaged in providing science-based solutions to problems relevant to criminal and juvenile justice policy and practice in the United States.
MSIs are often hindered by significant challenges when applying for and securing federal research funding and contend with financial challenges, especially in revenue generation and research and development (R&D) funding. This funding gap serves to impair their ability to expand academic programs, upgrade facilities and foster scholarly research, particularly in the domain of criminal justice. The disproportionate allocation of federal R&D funds further curtails MSIs' innovation potential and capacity for scholarly contributions in areas crucial for greater understanding of criminal justice and social factors and issues contributing to crime and violence. This award aims to address the immediate scientific funding and infrastructure gaps in criminal justice research, and catalyze long-term, systemic change in the research landscape of MSIs and the field of criminal justice overall.
“We are thrilled to be chosen to run the Center for Enhancing Research Capacity at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Advancing equity is central to the mission of John Jay College, and we can think of no better partner for this work than the National Institute of Justice. PIs Capellan and Freilich are distinguished scholars, and they have crafted an outstanding plan to promote research excellence at other MSIs. We look forward to working with our many sister MSIs in this important work.”
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the National Institute of Justice
The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. NIJ’s mission is to advance scientific research, development, and evaluation to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. More information about NIJ can be found at nij.ojp.gov.
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