The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is offering $1 million for studies of gender dysphoria, its treatment and violent behavior, seeking findings for practitioners as the agency describes existing research as limited.
Posted Oct. 9, the funding notice centers on analysis of existing data. It also permits meta-analyses and pre-study assessments. NIJ will not consider applications that depend on collecting new data for the project.
Researchers may examine how often violence occurs and what forms it takes, analyze post-conviction records, or study associations involving a diagnosis or treatment of gender dysphoria. The call permits research on people who have a formal diagnosis and/or identify as having gender dysphoria. NIJ lists substance-use and mental-health disorders, along with overlap between victimization and offending, as possible areas of study; applicants are not required to cover each topic.
The notice frames diagnosis, treatment and violence as subjects for investigation. It does not say gender dysphoria causes or predicts violent crime. NIJ says research remains sparse, particularly on what might explain any relationship.
NIJ aims for the work to provide practical knowledge to state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies and other practitioners. The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs may give priority consideration to projects supporting law enforcement or addressing violent crime. Priority consideration alone does not ensure an award.
The NIJ notice leaves the award count to decisions based on applications and their merit. Grants.gov lists two expected awards, but the notice does not specify a fixed amount for each grant; award amounts may depend on the proposed research, up to the total funding available.
Wendy Via, co-founder and CEO of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, called the initiative “very dangerous,” The Guardian reported.
Applicants must submit an SF-424 form through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET Nov. 23, then file a full application through JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. ET Nov. 30. NIJ anticipates making awards by Jan. 1, 2027, for projects lasting up to 36 months.
