OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 6

The Special Attorneys Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. This initiative is authorized under federal statute and is designed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutorial agencies across the United States. The program reflects a coordinated federal effort to enhance the investigation and prosecution of specific categories of crime, particularly those involving fraud, criminal activity by noncitizens, and transnational offenses such as drug and human trafficking. It emphasizes collaboration between federal and nonfederal prosecuting entities. The primary purpose of the program is to support state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies in assigning or hiring qualified prosecutors to serve in cross-designated roles. These prosecutors may operate as Special Attorneys under the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division or National Fraud Enforcement Division, or as Special Assistant United States Attorneys within U.S. Attorney’s Offices. The initiative is structured to expand prosecutorial reach and improve coordination across jurisdictions, enabling more effective handling of complex criminal cases involving multiple enforcement layers. Funding provided through this program is primarily intended to cover 100 percent of salary and fringe benefits for assigned or newly hired prosecutors. In addition to personnel costs, applicants may request up to 20 percent of their total award for supplementary purposes. These include strengthening justice system staffing capacity, supporting training and retention, and acquiring equipment and technology to enhance investigative and prosecutorial capabilities. Allowable uses include tools and systems for locating and apprehending offenders, managing casework, and coordinating with federal partners. Eligibility is limited to government entities that possess the legal and operational authority to employ prosecutors in cross-designated roles. This includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Tribal governments. Applicants must demonstrate willingness to enter into formal agreements with federal prosecutorial offices and comply with all programmatic and administrative requirements. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this funding opportunity, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible jurisdictions. The application process is conducted in two steps. Applicants must first submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by a full application submission through the JustGrants system. Required application components include a proposal narrative, budget, and supporting documentation such as resumes, proof of bar admission, and letters of support from relevant federal entities. The proposal narrative is evaluated based on project goals, design, implementation strategy, and organizational capacity. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis across multiple rounds until available funding is exhausted. For the referenced round, key deadlines include submission of the SF-424 by August 7, 2026, and completion of the full application by August 11, 2026. Awards are expected to be made on a rolling basis following submission, and the anticipated performance period for funded projects is 36 months beginning June 1, 2026. Recipients of this funding are required to submit semi-annual performance reports and comply with all post-award administrative requirements. The Department of Justice maintains substantial involvement in funded projects due to the cooperative agreement structure. Program success is measured by the extent to which funded activities contribute to enhanced prosecutorial capacity, improved interagency coordination, and successful investigation and prosecution outcomes aligned with program objectives.

Emphasize prosecutorial capacity coordination with federal partners and clear implementation plan aligned with program goals