FY26 Tribal Resources Grant Program- Technical Assistance Invitational

The Tribal Resources Grant Program Technical Assistance Invitational is administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the U.S. Department of Justice. The COPS Office is responsible for advancing community policing nationwide by supporting state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies with funding and technical resources. This specific funding opportunity is designed to strengthen law enforcement capacity in tribal communities and aligns with broader federal priorities focused on improving public safety and fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The primary purpose of this program is to fund technical assistance initiatives that enhance tribal law enforcement capabilities through training, planning, and strategic support. The program focuses on two key areas: the development of a Village Public Safety Officer training academy in Alaska and the continuation of Tribal Community Response Plans. These plans are intended to help tribal communities respond more effectively to missing persons cases, particularly those involving Indigenous individuals. Funding supports the development of innovative strategies, dissemination of best practices, and implementation of community policing approaches that are tailored to tribal contexts. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, allowing substantial involvement from the COPS Office throughout project implementation. The total program funding is approximately 700,000 dollars, with an anticipated two awards of up to 400,000 dollars each. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Funds must be used for allowable activities that support training development, technical assistance delivery, and policy or procedural improvements. Unallowable costs and activities are defined in supporting program guidance and must be strictly followed by applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited and invitational in nature. Only organizations that have received a direct invitation from the COPS Office may apply. Eligible entity types include tribal organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, independent school districts, and public or private institutions of higher education. Applicants must also comply with federal requirements related to information sharing and immigration status policies if they are state or local government entities. Because this is an invitational program, eligibility is not open to the general public or all qualifying organizations. The application process involves a two-step submission. First, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov by August 4, 2026. Second, applicants must submit the full application package through the JustGrants system by August 11, 2026. Required application components include a proposal abstract, detailed narrative, budget and budget narrative, resumes of key personnel, and a project timeline. The proposal narrative must address problem identification, project implementation strategy, anticipated impact, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals. Applications are evaluated based on responsiveness to program objectives, feasibility, innovation, and alignment with community policing priorities. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with the notice release in April 2026 and includes a pre-application webinar held in April. The final submission deadlines occur in early August 2026, with award notifications expected on or after October 1, 2026. The anticipated project performance period is approximately 12 months beginning October 1, 2026. Recipients are required to submit performance reports and deliverables demonstrating progress toward program goals, including development of training academies and implementation of response planning tools. Applicants may seek assistance throughout the process via several support channels. Technical support for submission systems is available through Grants.gov and JustGrants help desks, while program-specific questions can be directed to the COPS Office Response Center via phone or email. These resources ensure applicants can navigate both administrative and programmatic requirements effectively. Overall, the program emphasizes strategic, collaborative approaches to improving tribal public safety infrastructure through targeted technical assistance and training initiatives.

Ensure strong alignment with community policing goals; clearly define deliverables and implementation steps; demonstrate tribal law expertise and partnerships