NIJ is organized to align our internal structure and processes with the research needs of the field and the priorities of the Administration. We are led by a presidentially appointed director and are organized into eight offices — leadership offices, science office, and two support offices. Two deputy directors have responsibility for the science and support offices respectively.
Each of the science offices is composed of scientists from specific groups of scientific disciplines — social and behavioral scientists, forensic scientists, and physical scientists and engineers. While our science offices are organized into specific focus areas for administrative purposes, they operate in a multidisciplinary and collaborative way.
NIJ's leadership offices include:
- Office of Director — establishes the agency's objectives, which are guided by the needs of the criminal justice system and the priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Office of the Principal Deputy Director — the Principal Deputy Director serves as the senior management official and advisor to the NIJ Director and provides direction and guidance to the Offices of the Deputy Director and Executive Science Officer and their subordinate offices.
- Office of the Deputy Director — the Deputy Director is the primary integrating and strategic focal point of the NIJ staff, with responsibility for overseeing the activities under NIJ's Office of Communications and Operations and Office of Grants Management. The Deputy Director also assists the NIJ Director and Principal Deputy Director with other management aspects of NIJ staffing, programs, and mission requirements.
- Office of the Chief Science Advisor — the Chief Science Advisor provides guidance and direction on scientific matters to the NIJ Director and Principal Deputy Director, and expertise for an array of research and evaluation activities (e.g., process, outcome, impact), methods, and techniques.
NIJ’s science offices include:
- Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences — improves the quality and practice of forensic science through innovative solutions that support research and development, testing and evaluation, technology, and information exchange.
- Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology —encourages and supports research, development and evaluation to further the understanding of causes and correlates of crime and violence; methods of crime prevention and control; and criminal justice system responses to crime and violence.
NIJ’s support offices include:
- Office of Communications and Operations — works closely with all NIJ colleagues and grantees to move NIJ-generated knowledge and tools into the hands of those working in criminal justice professions; and provides leadership in the planning, development, management and administration of all lines of business.
- Office of Grants Management — works in conjunction with NIJ’s scientists and award recipients throughout the grant lifecycle to facilitate the successful completion of grant-funded projects.