Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21 | BJS 2018 14400

Opportunity Information: Apply for BJS 2018 14400

The Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21 is a U.S. Department of Justice data and statistics grant run by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Its core purpose is to produce national-level estimates of how many firearm purchase or transfer applications are submitted in the United States and how many of those applications are denied under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Brady Act) and comparable state laws. In practical terms, the program is designed to help the public and policymakers understand the scale and outcomes of background check and permitting systems connected to firearm transactions, using consistent measurement across jurisdictions.

To build those national estimates, FIST pulls together multiple sources of information rather than relying on a single federal dataset. It gathers counts from state and local agencies that conduct firearm transfer background checks and permit checks, then combines those counts with transaction data from the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This combination matters because firearm background check processes vary widely across states. Some states run their own checks (sometimes called point-of-contact systems) and may conduct permit-related checks that are not fully captured in federal tallies. By integrating state and local counts with FBI NICS data, the program aims to create a more complete picture of firearm inquiry activity nationwide.

Beyond basic volumes of applications and denials, the opportunity also emphasizes richer details about what happens when someone is denied. The program seeks information on the reasons for denials, whether denied applicants appeal those decisions, and what law enforcement actions follow. Specifically, it notes interest in actions taken by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) related to people who were denied, which can include follow-up steps tied to prohibited purchasers and enforcement activity where applicable. Collecting these details helps move the statistics beyond simple counts toward understanding patterns in denials and how denial decisions are reviewed or acted upon.

This is a discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning BJS expects substantial involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal interaction. The funding activity category is Information and Statistics, and the relevant CFDA number is 16.734. The opportunity was published May 23, 2018, with an original closing date of July 9, 2018. The expected number of awards was one, indicating BJS anticipated selecting a single recipient to carry out the national data collection and reporting responsibilities.

Funding is structured in phases tied to calendar-year data collection. The initial award was set at $800,000 to support a two-year data collection effort covering the 2018 and 2019 calendar reference years. If performance and deliverables met BJS expectations, the agency retained the option to renew the award to extend data collection to the 2020 and 2021 calendar years. The listed award ceiling of $1,600,000 reflects the potential total funding across the full 2018-2021 period if renewed. Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation text.

Overall, the FIST Program, 2018-21 is focused on producing reliable national statistics about firearm background check and permitting activity, improving comparability across states, and adding context on denial reasons, appeals, and subsequent enforcement actions. The end product is intended to strengthen the evidence base around how firearm purchase screening operates in practice across the country, using coordinated federal, state, and local data sources.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.734.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 09, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,600,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BJS 2018 14400

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: