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Justice Department to Eliminate Outside Peer Review Program for Competitive Grants
Just the facts
The Department of Justice confirmed that it will end its external peer review program, which historically engaged independent subject matter experts to evaluate, score, and rank competitive grant applications. The peer review system was operated through federal contracts with BETAH and subcontractor Leidos for the Office of Justice Programs and the Office on Violence Against Women. Under the updated policy, existing staff within the Department of Justice will assume responsibility for reviewing applications submitted by law enforcement agencies, victim services organizations, and research institutions. Department officials stated that ending the program will reduce contractor expenditures and align grantmaking decisions with administration priorities.
Why this is news
The United States Department of Justice announced plans to formally terminate its long-standing practice of hiring external peer reviewers for competitive grant applications starting in the fall of 2026. The decision shifts the evaluation process for grant proposals entirely to internal department personnel.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.