BJA FY25 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Investigations Training and Technical Assistance (TTA)

The Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, is offering funding through the BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program Investigations Training and Technical Assistance opportunity. This federal funding opportunity is intended to support a single organization that can provide specialized training and technical assistance to existing COSSUP grantees nationwide. The program is focused on strengthening investigative strategies and operational coordination related to unlawful opioid and illicit substance distribution. The initiative supports law enforcement agencies and justice system partners in improving tactical responses, investigative capabilities, cross-agency coordination, and public safety outcomes connected to substance use and overdose-related activity. The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172581, and the assistance listing number is 16.838. The total funding available under the solicitation is $3,000,000 with one anticipated award. The primary purpose of the funding is to enhance law enforcement and justice agency responses to illicit drug distribution and emerging drug threats through training and technical assistance activities. The selected recipient will support COSSUP grantees in adapting investigative models to local conditions while improving strategic planning, intelligence sharing, tactical operations, and coordination with Homeland Security Task Forces and other partners. The program specifically emphasizes strengthening law enforcement capabilities to detect, track, analyze, and disrupt illicit substance distribution networks. Additional objectives include improving data integration across agencies, implementing advanced technologies for real-time drug testing and threat identification, supporting coordinated multi-jurisdictional investigations, increasing community awareness of drug threats, and establishing protocols that connect impacted individuals and children to appropriate support services. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. Only one application may be submitted per applicant organization, although collaborative applications involving subrecipients are permitted. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required under this opportunity. The anticipated period of performance is 24 months beginning June 1, 2026. Funding will be issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Office of Justice Programs expects to maintain substantial involvement throughout project implementation. Applicants may propose budgets lower than the $3,000,000 award ceiling if justified by project scope and organizational capacity. The solicitation outlines detailed program goals and objectives that applicants are expected to address within their proposals. These include providing training on drug testing technologies, supporting prosecutors and law enforcement with investigative strategies and evidence collection techniques, facilitating secure data-sharing systems across agencies, and helping jurisdictions respond to urgent public safety concerns related to emerging drug threats. The selected technical assistance provider will also support implementation of specialized protocols that assist children, witnesses, and other individuals impacted by drug activity. Applicants are expected to demonstrate prior experience delivering training and technical assistance services, particularly in areas related to illicit substance investigations, data integration, technology implementation, and community engagement. Applications must be submitted through a two-step federal application process. First, applicants must submit the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance through Grants.gov no later than May 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Second, applicants must submit the full application package in JustGrants no later than May 15, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required application components include a proposal abstract, proposal narrative, budget detail form, resumes or curriculum vitae for key personnel, work product examples demonstrating prior technical assistance capabilities, and a project timeline. The proposal narrative may not exceed 10 pages and must address the need for the project, project design and implementation, and the applicant's capabilities and competencies. Applicants seeking priority consideration may also describe how their projects support law enforcement operations, combat violent crime, protect children, support trafficking victims, or advance related Department of Justice priorities. Applications that meet the basic minimum requirements will undergo peer review using weighted evaluation criteria. The review process allocates 5 percent to the description of need, 40 percent to project design and implementation, 40 percent to capabilities and competencies, and 15 percent to budget completeness and cost effectiveness. Additional programmatic and financial reviews will assess applicant risk, past performance, compliance history, geographic considerations, and overall budget allowability. Successful applicants will receive award notifications through JustGrants and must accept or decline the award within 45 days. Award recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, final reports, and audits where applicable. The funding opportunity notes that future continuation funding may be available depending on appropriations, performance, and strategic priorities. Applicants requiring assistance may contact the OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or by phone at 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 during regular weekday business hours. Technical support for Grants.gov and JustGrants is also available through separate service desks identified in the solicitation. The funding opportunity was released on April 15, 2026, and applicants are strongly encouraged to complete SAM.gov registration activities early. The opportunity does not identify a recurring annual cycle, and there is no indication that future rounds are guaranteed beyond possible continuation funding considerations.

Applicants should strongly emphasize demonstrated experience delivering training and technical assistance related to illicit substance investigations cross-agency coordination data integration and emerging drug threat response because capabilities and competencies account for 40 percent of the peer review score. Project design and implementation also account for 40 percent of scoring so applicants should provide detailed implementation timelines staffing plans and measurable operational strategies aligned with COSSUP objectives.