Evaluation of the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Program

In collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), NIJ is seeking competitive applications for a cooperative agreement to support research on the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Program. The purpose of this solicitation is to inform the program's place-based and community-oriented efforts to reduce violent and serious crime as part of the Administration's comprehensive strategy to advance neighborhood revitalization. In partnership with researchers and community stakeholders, BCJI grantees identify "hot spots" in neighborhoods challenged by poverty, unemployment, struggling schools, and inadequate housing; they collaboratively develop environmental design, legislative, and other approaches to promote collective efficacy and target crime among offenders returning from incarceration, gangs, and youth. Applications must propose four research tasks: a review of BCJI planning, implementation, and enhancement grants; a process evaluation of BCJI grant activities; an evaluability assessment of BCJI program sites; and a process and outcome evaluation of the BCJI Training and Technical Assistance.