OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 3

The Special Attorneys Program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice. This initiative is authorized under federal law to strengthen the nation’s capacity to investigate and prosecute complex criminal activity involving fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and offenses committed by non-citizens within the United States. The program is structured to enhance collaboration between federal and non-federal prosecutorial agencies by supporting the cross-designation of prosecutors who can operate across jurisdictional boundaries. Through this approach, the Department of Justice seeks to improve coordination, increase efficiency, and expand the reach of enforcement efforts. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable state, local, and Tribal prosecuting agencies to assign or hire qualified attorneys who will serve either full-time or part-time as Special Attorneys or Special Assistant United States Attorneys. These prosecutors remain employees of their home agencies while being authorized to handle federal cases under the supervision of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Criminal Division, or a U.S. Attorney’s Office. Their work focuses on investigating and prosecuting fraud and other crimes committed by non-citizens, as well as drug and human trafficking offenses, thereby strengthening public safety and legal enforcement outcomes. Funding provided through this program may be used to cover one hundred percent of salary and fringe benefits for the assigned prosecutors. In addition, applicants may request up to twenty percent of their award for supplementary uses such as staffing support, training, equipment, and advanced technology. These allowable expenditures are intended to enhance operational capacity, improve investigative capabilities, and support coordination with federal partners. However, certain activities are explicitly prohibited, including those that violate federal civil rights laws or involve unauthorized legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the United States, except in limited legally permitted circumstances. Eligible applicants include government entities with the authority and capacity to employ prosecutors in cross-designated roles. This includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Tribal governments. Other units of local government such as towns, boroughs, and parishes may also apply. Applicants must be willing to enter into formal agreements with federal entities and comply with all program requirements, including background checks and coordination expectations for participating attorneys. The application process involves a two-step submission. Applicants must first submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by a complete application package in JustGrants. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget, supporting documentation, and various certifications. The proposal narrative is evaluated based on clearly defined criteria, including project goals and objectives, implementation strategy, and organizational capacity. Additional documentation such as resumes, proof of bar admission, and letters of support from federal partners are also required. Applications for this round are due in two phases, with the initial Grants.gov submission due by June 17, 2026, and the full application due in JustGrants by June 22, 2026. The program operates on a rolling basis across multiple rounds until available funding is exhausted. Awards are anticipated to be made on a rolling basis, and funded projects will have a performance period of thirty-six months beginning June 1, 2026. Recipients are required to submit semi-annual performance reports and comply with all post-award administrative and reporting requirements. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center via email or phone during standard business hours. Technical support is also available through Grants.gov and JustGrants help desks. This program represents a significant federal investment in strengthening prosecutorial collaboration and enhancing the nation’s ability to combat complex criminal activity through coordinated enforcement efforts.

Emphasize strong interagency coordination clearly justify staffing needs and demonstrate prosecutorial capacity and experience align proposal narrative closely to evaluation criteria and include detailed implementation timeline