Justice Innovation
Research Competition
Connecting early-career researchers with the Safety and Justice Challenge’s decade of data to spark new answers to criminal legal questions.
About the Competition
Building on a decade of data collection, research, and collaboration through the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is funding the Justice Innovation Research Competition, led by CUNY ISLG. The goal is to bring new researchers and perspectives to the SJC data, ensuring that the lessons learned through the initiative continue to inform the field long after its conclusion.
Through two waves of funding, the Competition will support up to 30 emerging and early-career scholars in exploring new questions about criminal legal system practices, decisions, and outcomes. Selected scholars will receive research funding, access to SJC data, and opportunities for mentorship and professional development, along with support in sharing their findings with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Jump to: Competition waves | qualifications | proposal topics | Funding | review process | important dates | how to apply | FAQs | Contact
Two Waves, Two Data Resources
The Competition will be offered in two waves. Because the data sources are different, applicants should review the solicitation for their wave before developing a research proposal. Though the sources of data differ for both waves, we encourage applicants to explore questions about criminal legal system practices, decisions, and outcomes.
Wave 1: Measuring Progress
The first wave will draw from aggregate data from ISLG’s Measuring Progress tool, developed to track key criminal legal system measures and trends across participating SJC jurisdictions. Its monthly and quarterly measures offer opportunities to examine changes over time, compare patterns across jurisdictions, and develop projects centered on jail use and system-level outcomes.
Anticipated research period: 2027 [DATES FOR APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION]
Wave 2: SJC Data Archive at ICPSR
The second wave will draw on data available through the SJC Data Archive housed at ICPSR. Depending on availability and site permission, this will include deidentified, ISLG-standardized case-level data from jails, courts, and law enforcement agencies. The files are not the raw administrative data originally provided by sites as ISLG has cleaned, deidentified, and standardized them for research use.
Anticipated research period: 2027 [DATES FOR APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION]
Qualified Applicants
The Competition is open to emerging and early-career researchers from a range of disciplines and professional backgrounds. In order to be eligible for the competition, applicants must hold a master’s degree or a doctorate awarded within the previous seven years, and have fewer than ten years of experience working in research. Applicants do not need a previous relationship with ISLG or the SJC, and we strongly encourage scholars beyond established criminal legal system research networks, including researchers affiliated with minority-serving institutions.
Proposal Topics
A broad range of research questions that can be explored using SJC data are encouraged. Depending on the dataset and proposed methods, studies might examine changes in jail admissions or length of stay, differences in outcomes across jurisdictions or over time, disparities in criminal legal system experiences, or relationships between policy changes and observed trends, though applicants do not need to focus on these topics in order to be eligible for the competition.
The strongest proposals include studies that take a fresh look at questions that remain unanswered or that may require further research. Applicants should explain why their research question is important, how the available data can help answer it, and what their findings might contribute to the field. Before developing a proposal, we encourage applicants to review the data available for their application wave, as well as to the SJC Research, Policy, and Practice Insight Hub to become familiar with the research already conducted through the SJC.
Funding and Support
ISLG will work with an external Advisory & Review Committee to select up to 15 scholars per wave. An award of up to $25,000 will be awarded per selected scholar, along with ISLG check-ins, opportunities for mentorship, and a Learning Network offering trainings and opportunities to network and exchange ideas with peers. Each awarded scholar will prepare an academic manuscript, a practitioner-oriented research brief, and a research presentation.
At the end of both waves of the competition, additional Research Study Prizes will be awarded to recognize exceptional projects. There will also be an in-person convening in New York City where scholars present and can discuss their work with peers and criminal legal system experts.
Applications Review Process
ISLG will conduct national outreach across institutions, disciplines, geographic areas, and researcher networks, and applications will be reviewed by ISLG and the Advisory & Review Committee. Reviewers will consider the strength of the proposed research design, its feasibility with the relevant SJC data, the originality of the question, and its potential contribution to research and practice.
Important Dates
The Justice Innovation Research Competition will take place in two waves, each with its own application period, selection process, and research timeline:
Wave 1: Measuring Progress
Application period:
Application deadline:
Award notifications:
Research project period:
Final research products due:
Wave 2: SJC Data Archive at ICPSR
Application period:
Application deadline:
Award notifications:
Research project period:
Final research products due:
How to Apply
Wave 1 — Measuring Progress
Application period: [DATES]
Full solicitation: [LINK]
Wave 2 — SJC Data Archive at ICPSR
Application period: [DATES]
Full solicitation: [LINK]
Please refer to the full solicitation for your wave for final eligibility criteria, required materials, project dates, and rules governing use of the data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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No. The Competition is intended to expand the community of researchers working with SJC data, and applicants do not need an existing relationship with CUNY ISLG, the SJC, or participating jurisdictions.
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No. Eligible researchers may work in academic, nonprofit, government, or other research settings, and current institutional employment is not required.
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No. The Competition is designed to support individual emerging and early-career researchers. Research team applications will not be accepted.
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No. Applicants may propose an existing mentor as part of their application, but this is not an eligibility requirement. CUNY ISLG will help connect selected scholars who do not already have a mentor with an appropriate researcher based on their interests and proposed work.
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No. IRB approval is not required at the time of application. However, in line with ethical research practices, selected scholars will be expected to obtain appropriate IRB approval before accessing data.
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No. Each wave has its own eligible data resources and application requirements. Applicants should develop proposals using the data identified in the solicitation for the wave to which they are applying.
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No. The Competition focuses on analysis of existing SJC data and does not require collection of any additional data.
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Selected scholars will receive research funding and ongoing support from CUNY ISLG, including regular check-ins, mentorship, and opportunities to participate in a Learning Network. Scholars will complete their research during the designated project period and produce an academic manuscript, practitioner-oriented research brief, and an in-person presentation of findings in New York City.
Questions? Comments?
Contact us at sjclegacy@islg.cuny.edu or fill out the form below.
About the CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance (CUNY ISLG)
The Institute for State & Local Governance (ISLG) is a public sector consultancy at CUNY. We partner with governments and community organizations to build effective policies and practices, balance budgets, and develop leadership skills and institutional capacity. By improving these systems and services, we help make communities stronger.
Our team holds expansive technical expertise in research and analysis, leadership education, and program design and implementation. We also have deep and broad subject-matter knowledge, including in municipal and state finance, criminal legal systems, education, public health, and social work. Through this, we provide our partners with the responsive and flexible support to reach sustainable and practical solutions for the communities they serve.
Visit our website at islg.cuny.edu to learn more about our work and experience.