Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is administered in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Public Safety through the Office of Criminal Justice Services, which serves as the state’s lead justice planning and assistance agency. The program originates from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and is designed to provide federal funding to support a wide range of criminal justice initiatives at the state and local level. The program consolidates prior funding streams to allow greater flexibility for jurisdictions to address crime prevention and control based on local priorities. The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services is responsible for managing the solicitation, review, and award process, as well as ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. The primary purpose of the program is to fund activities that prevent and control crime and improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Eligible activities span multiple areas including law enforcement programs, crime prevention, corrections and reentry, courts and prosecution, victim services, cross-system collaboration, research, and planning initiatives. Funds may be used for personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, information systems, and contractual support, provided that costs are reasonable, necessary, and aligned with program goals. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices and requires applicants to demonstrate how their proposed activities are supported by research or data. Applicants proposing non-evidence-based programs must provide justification and evaluation plans. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, requiring subrecipients to submit quarterly reports to receive payment for approved expenses. The program includes a structured step-down funding model for continuation projects, where the federal share decreases over time and the required local match increases. For most projects, applicants may request up to 75 percent federal funding in the first two years, with a 25 percent match, followed by increased match requirements in subsequent years. Match contributions may be cash or in-kind, and applicants may request a waiver under certain economic conditions. All costs must comply with federal guidelines, and certain cost caps apply to items such as equipment and travel. Eligibility is broad and includes units of local government, state agencies, state-supported universities, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and law enforcement agencies that meet reporting requirements. All applicants must designate a fiduciary agent responsible for grant administration. Certain entities such as courts or law enforcement agencies may not serve as their own subrecipients and must work through a pass-through entity. Nonprofit applicants must provide documentation such as proof of tax-exempt status and may be required to submit audit documentation. Collaboration with community partners is required through a formal collaboration board that meets regularly and provides oversight of the project. The application process requires submission through the Ohio Grants Management System and includes multiple components such as a problem statement, project description, sustainability plan, objectives, timeline, organizational capacity, collaboration board documentation, executive summary, and detailed budget. Applications are reviewed competitively by both internal staff and external criminal justice professionals. Evaluation criteria include alignment with funding priorities, clarity of objectives, strength of proposed activities, and appropriateness of the budget. Final funding decisions are made by the Executive Director of the Office of Criminal Justice Services and approved by the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The application period for the 2026 cycle opens on June 8, 2026, and closes on July 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards will support a 12-month performance period running from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. Applicants are encouraged to participate in optional training webinars and may seek technical assistance during the application process. Award notifications are followed by completion of pre-award conditions, including submission of compliance forms and documentation. The program is expected to recur annually, although future funding and conditions may be subject to changes in federal guidance and priorities.

Align proposal with evidence based practices demonstrate clear measurable objectives ensure budget justification is directly tied to activities and include strong collaboration partnerships