J-PAL North America Launches Initiative to Fund Rigorous US Crime Policy Research

Cambridge, MA – J-PAL North America has officially launched its Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy (IECP), a new program aimed at funding rigorous research to enhance the efficacy and fairness of the criminal legal system across the United States. The initiative, announced via social media, is supported by Arnold Ventures and seeks to improve outcomes at every stage of the criminal legal process. "🚨 Just launched: @JPAL_NA's Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy (IECP)! With support from @Arnold_Ventures, IECP will fund rigorous research to improve outcomes at every stage of the criminal legal process," J-PAL North America stated in its tweet.

The IECP, based at MIT, will generate evidence on policies and practices designed to increase community safety, reduce discrimination, and address systemic inequities. A core component of its strategy involves supporting randomized evaluations, which provide policymakers with reliable data on effective and cost-effective interventions. This approach ensures that resources are allocated wisely, fostering innovative thinking in public safety beyond traditional methods like policing and incarceration.

Jennifer Doleac, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures, emphasized the critical need for evidence-based solutions. "There are a lot of open questions. We desperately need to be trying new solutions, but we need to try them in a way that enables us to learn whether they work," Doleac stated, highlighting the strategic effort to direct resources effectively. The initiative will fund pilot studies and full randomized evaluations, with full research projects typically awarded between $150,000 and $250,000, and a maximum of $400,000.

Co-chaired by Sara Heller, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan, and Amanda Agan, Associate Professor at Cornell University, the IECP will also offer hands-on technical assistance and connect researchers with practitioners. This collaborative platform aims to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world policy implementation. A convening of over 70 researchers, policymakers, and practitioners was held in June 2025 to identify research priorities and catalyze collaborations.

The initiative's focus areas include crime prevention, effective policing strategies, adjudication processes, sentencing, reintegration, and the role of social support programs. By supporting new research and reviewing existing evidence, the IECP intends to fill critical gaps in the evidence base and help decision-makers concentrate resources on interventions that demonstrably improve public safety and justice outcomes. The first Request for Proposals (RFP) round for funding is anticipated to open in Fall 2025.