Byrne Justice Assistance Grant

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which serves as the state administering agency for federal Justice Assistance Grant funds provided through the U.S. Department of Justice. This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that align with Pennsylvania’s 2026-2030 Strategic Framework for public safety and criminal justice system improvement. The solicitation represents a competitive funding process for local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations seeking to implement evidence-based or promising initiatives that address crime reduction, justice system coordination, and emerging public safety challenges. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide flexible resources to support innovative, data-driven strategies that improve public safety outcomes across Pennsylvania. Projects must align with specific goals and objectives outlined in the state’s strategic framework, including reducing violent crime, improving reentry services, enhancing justice system coordination, and strengthening law enforcement capabilities. Additional emphasis is placed on advancing technological innovation, improving crime data infrastructure, and supporting multidisciplinary approaches to public safety challenges. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate evidence-based practices where available and to demonstrate measurable outcomes tied to program performance. Funding under this solicitation totals over eight million dollars, with an expectation to fund approximately thirty to thirty-five awards. Individual project budgets may not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars over a two-year period. Projects are expected to operate within a defined performance period beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2028. A one-year no-cost extension may be available based on demonstrated progress and impact. Funds must be used strictly within the approved project period, and prepayment of expenses beyond the grant timeline is not permitted. Eligible applicants include local units of government such as counties, cities, boroughs, and townships, as well as nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate direct benefit to a local government entity. Nonprofit applicants must meet additional certification requirements and provide documentation showing coordination with and support from the relevant local jurisdiction. Certain entities are explicitly excluded, including state agencies, colleges and universities, and school systems. Applicants are limited to submitting only one application, and failure to comply with this restriction results in administrative rejection. Applications must be submitted electronically through the PCCD Egrants system. Prior to submission, applicant agencies must complete system registration and ensure that required user roles, including an e-signature role, are assigned. Required application components include narrative sections such as an executive summary, statement of problem, project description, budget details, and performance measures, as well as supporting documents like letters of commitment and certifications. Applications are reviewed competitively based on adherence to guidelines, quality of the proposal, and alignment with funding priorities. The application process includes a defined timeline beginning with the release of the solicitation on May 5, 2026, followed by a deadline for submitting questions by July 7, 2026. Final applications must be submitted by July 14, 2026. Successful applications are expected to be presented to the Commission in December 2026, with project implementation beginning at the start of 2027. Applicants are required to comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including quarterly programmatic and fiscal reports, as well as performance data collection aligned with federal guidelines. Applicants are advised to carefully review all guidance documents and utilize available technical assistance resources provided by PCCD. Questions regarding the funding opportunity must be submitted via email prior to the stated deadline, and responses are published publicly to ensure transparency. The solicitation emphasizes accountability, data-driven decision making, and sustainability planning to ensure that funded projects deliver long-term impact beyond the grant period.

Ensure strong alignment with PCCD strategic goals; provide data-driven justification of need; clearly define measurable outcomes; demonstrate coordination with partners and sustainability beyond grant period