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. The program is authorized through the Department of Justice Appropriations Act and is designed to support congressionally directed spending for specific projects identified in legislative appropriations. The Office of Justice Programs serves as a federal leader in advancing public safety, supporting law enforcement, protecting victims, and strengthening the justice system across the United States. This funding opportunity reflects those priorities by allocating resources to targeted initiatives that have been pre-designated through congressional action. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime. Funding is limited strictly to projects that have been designated in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement associated with the appropriations act. As such, applicants must align their proposals precisely with the scope, intent, and funding amounts outlined in that document. The program is not open for general competition, but instead operates as an invited application process for entities specifically named in the appropriations legislation. Funding under this opportunity is restricted to the exact purposes and amounts designated by Congress. The total expected funding for this program is 1357000 dollars, with two anticipated awards. Individual award amounts may not exceed those specified in the appropriations act. The period of performance ranges from 12 to 48 months, beginning on January 23 2026 unless a later start date is requested, which must not exceed October 1 2026. Funds cannot be used to provide security enhancements or equipment to nongovernmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety. Additionally, all recipients and subrecipients, including for profit organizations, must forgo any profit or management fees. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restricted. Only entities that have received an invitation from the National Institute of Justice and are identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement are eligible to apply. The applicant’s legal name must match the entity listed in the System for Award Management and the appropriations documentation. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this program. Applicants uncertain about their eligibility are instructed to contact the administering agency before beginning the application process. The application process requires submission in two stages. First, applicants must complete and submit the SF 424 form through Grants.gov by July 29 2026. Second, the full application must be submitted through JustGrants by July 31 2026. Required components include a proposal abstract, proposal narrative, budget details, and various financial and compliance documents. The proposal narrative must address the need for the project, goals and objectives, project design and implementation, and organizational capabilities. Additional documentation may include indirect cost agreements, consultant rate information, and disclosures related to financial management and risk. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Justice Programs to ensure they are reasonable, measurable, and aligned with program goals. Because this is an invited program, applications are also reviewed for consistency with the invitation and congressional designation. Successful applicants are expected to submit regular performance reports demonstrating progress toward program objectives. Deliverables are limited to standard reporting requirements unless otherwise specified. Key dates for this funding opportunity include a release date of June 17 2026, a Grants.gov submission deadline of July 29 2026, and a JustGrants submission deadline of July 31 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early, particularly for the System for Award Management. Award notifications are anticipated by September 30 2026. For assistance, applicants may contact the Office of Justice Programs Response Center via phone or email during standard business hours. The program is a one time appropriations driven opportunity and does not indicate a recurring funding cycle.