NIJ 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 National Institute of Justice within the Office of Justice Programs under the U.S. Department of Justice. This funding opportunity is authorized through the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026, and is designed to support specific congressionally directed projects that align with federal priorities for public safety and criminal justice system improvement. The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership and resources to support law enforcement, reduce violent crime, protect vulnerable populations, and address emerging public safety challenges such as human trafficking and opioid misuse. This program specifically funds projects identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the 2026 appropriations legislation. As such, it is not an open competitive opportunity; rather, only entities that have been invited to apply and are explicitly named in the appropriations documentation are eligible. The purpose of the funding is to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime, excluding compensation-related activities. The program is tightly scoped to ensure funds are used only for the designated projects and in the specified amounts. Funding under this opportunity is restricted to the activities outlined in the congressional designation. Applicants must ensure that all proposed costs directly support the approved project. Additional restrictions prohibit the use of funds for providing security enhancements or equipment to nongovernmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety. Furthermore, recipients and subrecipients, including for-profit entities, are not permitted to earn profit or management fees from the grant. Certain activities are also explicitly disallowed, including those that violate federal immigration laws or civil rights statutes. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity. The total expected funding available is $1,357,000, with an anticipated two awards. Award amounts are capped based on the amounts specified in the appropriations act for each designated project. The expected period of performance ranges from 12 to 48 months, with a start date beginning January 23, 2026, unless a later start date is requested, which must not exceed October 1, 2026. The application process is divided into two required submission steps. Applicants must first submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by a full application submission through JustGrants. Required application components include a proposal abstract, proposal narrative, budget, financial management questionnaire, and supporting documentation such as indirect cost agreements if applicable. The proposal narrative must address the need, project goals and objectives, design and implementation strategy, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated based on their clarity, alignment with program goals, feasibility, and consistency with the original congressional designation. The Office of Justice Programs reviews submissions for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to guidance. Performance reporting is required post-award, and recipients must regularly submit updates demonstrating progress toward stated goals and objectives. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a Grants.gov submission deadline of July 15, 2026, followed by a JustGrants deadline of July 17, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin system registrations early, with a recommended start date no later than July 3, 2026. Award notifications are anticipated by September 30, 2026. For assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center via phone or email during standard business hours.

Ensure strict alignment with congressional project designation and clearly demonstrate how proposed activities directly support the approved scope; maintain clarity and measurable outcomes in narrative sections