OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program

The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program is administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is part of a broader federal effort to enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights of individuals across the United States. Through congressional appropriations, the Department of Justice allocates funding to specifically designated projects that address criminal justice system improvements, juvenile delinquency prevention, and services for victims of crime. This funding opportunity reflects the federal government’s commitment to supporting targeted, community-based initiatives that respond to local public safety needs. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that have been explicitly identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Department of Justice Appropriations Act. The program is not open to general competition; rather, it is limited to invited applicants whose projects were selected through congressional designation. The funded activities are intended to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or reduce juvenile delinquency, and provide assistance to victims of crime excluding direct compensation. The program aligns with key federal priorities including combating violent crime, supporting law enforcement operations, protecting children, and addressing trafficking and other public safety concerns. Funding under this program is strictly tied to the specific projects and funding levels identified in federal appropriations. Applicants must ensure that all proposed costs directly support the designated project described in the congressional documentation. The program includes several important funding restrictions. Funds may not be used to provide security enhancements or equipment to nongovernmental entities that are not engaged in criminal justice or public safety functions. Additionally, recipients and subrecipients, including for profit organizations, are prohibited from earning profit or management fees from the grant. Certain activities are explicitly unallowable, including those that violate federal immigration law, civil rights laws, or restrictions related to legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the United States. Eligibility for this program is limited to entities that have received an official invitation to apply from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. These entities must be listed in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement and must apply using the exact legal name associated with their registered entity identifier in the System for Award Management. Because eligibility is restricted in this manner, applicants must confirm their status before beginning the application process. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which simplifies financial planning for eligible applicants. The application process involves a two step submission. First, applicants must complete and submit the standard SF 424 form through Grants.gov by the specified deadline. Second, applicants must submit the full application through the JustGrants system, which includes a proposal abstract, narrative, budget, and required attachments. The proposal narrative must address the need for the project, goals and objectives, implementation strategy, and organizational capacity. Additional required components include financial management questionnaires, disclosures, and supporting documentation such as indirect cost agreements where applicable. Applications are reviewed to ensure that proposed activities are reasonable, achievable, and aligned with program goals. The review process also confirms that applications are consistent with the original congressional designation and invitation guidance. Successful applicants will receive award notifications by the anticipated notification date and will be required to comply with standard federal grant administration requirements. This includes submitting regular performance reports that demonstrate progress toward achieving program goals and objectives. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date in mid June, followed by submission deadlines in late July for both the initial and full applications. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of September, with project periods ranging from one to four years. Projects are expected to begin in January unless a later start date is requested within allowable limits. The program is not recurring in a traditional open competition sense, as it is tied to annual congressional appropriations and designated projects. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact the Office of Justice Programs Response Center via phone or email during standard business hours.

Ensure strict alignment with congressionally designated project scope and funding; clearly justify all budget items; demonstrate organizational capacity and compliance readiness