BJA FY25 De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program

The De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of Justice Programs and its Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides federal leadership and funding to support law enforcement, public safety, and justice system improvements across the United States. This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen the ability of law enforcement and correctional agencies to respond effectively and safely to individuals experiencing crisis situations, particularly those involving behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries. The primary purpose of this program is to support the development, implementation, or expansion of de-escalation and crisis response training programs. These programs aim to equip officers with tactical skills, evidence-based strategies, and technology tools to manage crisis situations safely and effectively. The funding supports both field-based law enforcement officers and facility-based correctional staff, recognizing the need for specialized training environments across different justice system contexts. Applicants may implement Crisis Response and Intervention Training or adopt advanced training systems such as virtual reality platforms that simulate real-world crisis scenarios. Funding is structured into two categories, each supporting a different segment of the justice system. Category one focuses on law enforcement agencies, including police departments, sheriffs’ offices, and probation officers working in the field. Category two targets correctional institutions such as jails and prisons, including facility-based probation and parole staff. Both categories allow for similar programmatic activities, including immersive training and curriculum-based interventions. The funding may be used for training development, technology acquisition, implementation activities, and evaluation efforts, provided costs are reasonable and aligned with program goals. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing state, local, and tribal governments, as well as educational institutions and certain public entities with law enforcement components. Applicants must identify a lead law enforcement or correctional agency partner and provide a formal memorandum of understanding or letter of commitment demonstrating collaboration. Only one entity may serve as the primary applicant, though partnerships and subawards are permitted. This structure emphasizes collaboration across agencies and disciplines to ensure effective program implementation. The application process requires a two-step submission through Grants.gov and JustGrants. Applicants must first submit a standard federal assistance form and then complete a full application package, including a proposal narrative, budget detail form, and supporting documentation. The proposal narrative must address the need for the project, project goals and objectives, implementation strategy, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated through a peer review process based on criteria such as problem definition, design quality, organizational capacity, and budget justification, followed by additional programmatic and financial review. Key deadlines include submission of the initial application form by late May and the full application by early June. The anticipated period of performance is 36 months, with awards expected to begin in early October. The program does not specify an award notification date but indicates that applicants will be notified following the completion of review processes. Award recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reports submitted on a quarterly and semi-annual basis. This funding opportunity is issued as a one-time competitive grant but may be subject to future continuation funding depending on congressional appropriations and program performance. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with federal priorities such as improving public safety, supporting victims, and enhancing law enforcement operations. Technical assistance is available through designated federal support centers, ensuring applicants have access to guidance throughout the application process.

Use local data to demonstrate need; align with DOJ priority areas; clearly define measurable outcomes; ensure partner commitment documentation is strong