Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program provides criminal justice funding to states and local jurisdictions for a broad range of public safety activities. For this funding opportunity, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Office of the Secretary, Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center administers federal JAG funds awarded to the Commonwealth of Kentucky by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Kentucky uses a competitive process to make subawards to eligible entities. The program operates under the JAG statutory authority at 34 U.S.C. 10151-10158 and related federal requirements, and successful applicants must comply with applicable DOJ, BJA, JPSC, and incorporated grant-management requirements. The program supports law enforcement; prosecution and courts; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement; crime victim and witness programs other than compensation; mental health and related law enforcement and corrections programs; and implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related initiatives. Kentucky will not accept applications for JAG Program Areas 10 or 11 involving unmanned aircraft systems or counter-UAS systems during this award cycle. Kentucky's four funding priorities are fighting addiction and reducing overdose deaths through enforcement, prevention, and treatment; implementing smart-on-crime reforms that reduce recidivism and incarceration while preserving public safety; pursuing innovative crime and violence reduction programs; and supporting law enforcement training that improves public safety and officer safety and wellness. Approximately $2,100,000 is anticipated to be awarded through 14 subawards, with anticipated individual subaward amounts ranging from $10,000 to $350,000. The anticipated period of performance is October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, a 12-month period. No match is required. Allowable expenses may include personnel salary and fringe benefits, overtime, contractual support, travel, training, equipment, supplies, and other operating expenses supporting eligible JAG program areas. Applicants may also charge an applicable federally negotiated indirect cost rate or the 15 percent de minimis rate on Modified Total Direct Costs, subject to the stated rules. Funds may not supplant existing state or local funding or be used as matching funds for other awards. Restrictions also apply to lobbying, fundraising, certain vehicles and aircraft, luxury items, real estate, construction, late fees, exempt taxes, bonuses, gifts, employee recognition awards, and other prohibited costs and activities. Eligible applicants are any Kentucky state agency, unit of local government, including a city, county, township, town, or federally recognized American Indian tribe, or not-for-profit organization. Applicants must provide organizational information including legal name, an active SAM Unique Entity Identifier, Employer Identification Number, address, phone number, agency type, and an agency overview. Nonprofit applicants must provide acceptable evidence of nonprofit or tax-exempt status, and applicants must identify appropriate authorized, project, and financial contacts. Required project information includes a project title, third-person project abstract, requested grant period, proposal narrative, proposal citations where applicable, area served, JAG program area selections, applicable Kentucky priority funding areas, goals, objectives and performance measures, an evaluation plan, a project timeline or comparable implementation document, and an explanation of how funding will enhance agency performance. The proposal narrative addresses the issue or problem, project design and implementation, and organizational capabilities and competencies and should use current local facts and data with appropriate citations. Additional application requirements include acceptance of the NOFO requirements and application terms and conditions, DOJ certifications, completion of the Financial Capability Questionnaire, Form SF-LLL, a Determination of Suitability Certification Form where applicable, three letters of support, applicable conflict-of-interest disclosures, and a list of advisory group or board members or an explanation if none exists. Drug Task Force applicants have additional specified attachments. Applicants must construct a detailed budget in Submittable using the applicable categories of personnel, overtime, training and travel, equipment, supplies, procurement contracts, other costs, and indirect costs, along with a budget narrative. Equipment and certain procurement actions are subject to prior approval requirements. The full application, including attachments, must be finalized and submitted electronically in CJSAC's Submittable grants management system by the deadline. Applications are subject to programmatic and financial review by JPSC staff, and external subject-matter expertise may be incorporated when needed. Assigned reviewers numerically score applications using a structured application review questionnaire, and JPSC may request clarification or additional information before developing funding recommendations. Final subaward recommendations are subject to approval by the Office of the Governor. The precision with which applicants follow application instructions is an important factor in review and scoring. Award decisions are expected to be issued around September 1, 2026, with written notification sent by email to the Agency Representative. Approved applicants may be required to modify program or budget information before award acceptance. Applications were released July 20, 2026 and must be submitted by August 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET. The anticipated project period runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis, with quarterly reimbursement requests accompanying financial reports, and recipients must maintain an active eMARS vendor account. Awardees are also subject to quarterly financial and performance reporting, PMT reporting, final reporting, recordkeeping, evaluation cooperation, and closeout requirements. For technical assistance with Submittable, applicants may contact CJSAC at CJSAC@ky.gov or 502-564-3405. Questions regarding other NOFO requirements may be directed to JAG Program Specialist Joseph O'Sullivan at joseph.osullivan@ky.gov or 502-564-8294.

Follow every application instruction precisely because adherence is an explicit review and scoring factor; support proposal claims with current local facts and data and appropriate citations; clearly connect project goals, SMART objectives, numerical performance measures, and evaluation methods; identify evidence-based practices where appropriate and document their evidence base; align every budget line with project objectives and provide clear calculations and supporting documentation; obtain required prior approvals for applicable equipment and procurement costs.