BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) ProgramState Formula

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program State Formula is a federal formula grant administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The program supports the Department of Justice mission to keep the country safe and secure, uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of American citizens, support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect children, assist crime victims, and address public safety challenges. The program goal is to improve the administration of the criminal justice system. Its objectives include providing states with additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems and assisting units of local government with their criminal justice needs. JAG funding may support 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; state crisis intervention court proceedings and related initiatives; unmanned aircraft systems for public safety; and authorized counter-UAS systems. Agency priorities include directly supporting law enforcement operations, combating violent crime, supporting services to American citizens, protecting American children, and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault. Areas of emphasis include violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship. The expected total funding is $201,610,091, with 56 anticipated awards and an anticipated maximum award of $21,479,876. Awards have an expected 48-month period beginning October 1, 2025. The program does not require cost sharing or matching. JAG funds may not supplant state or local funds and instead must increase funding that would otherwise be available. No more than 10 percent of a JAG grant may be used for grant administration. Additional restrictions apply to prohibited expenditures, unmanned and counter-unmanned aircraft systems, body armor, body-worn cameras, extreme risk protection order activities, DNA testing, and other regulated expenditures. Certain activities that violate applicable federal immigration, civil rights, or nondiscrimination law are outside program scope. Eligible applicants are state governments. For this opportunity, state includes each state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. States must also account for applicable JAG formula requirements, including variable pass-through and less-than-$10,000 allocation requirements and possible funding reductions associated with PREA, SORNA, and DCRA. The JAG statute also imposes requirements concerning governing body review and public comment, certification and assurances, statewide strategic planning, prohibited expenditures, administrative costs, and trust funds when funds are drawn down in advance. Submission occurs in two required steps. First, applicants must complete the SF-424 and submit it through Grants.gov by September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Second, applicants must submit the complete application in JustGrants by September 25, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The application includes Standard Applicant Information, a Proposal Abstract of no more than 2,000 characters, the Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire, the JAG Survey, a Proposal Narrative, a budget, applicable budget and financial attachments, and additional certifications and program documents. The Proposal Narrative may not exceed 10 pages and must address Description of the Need, Project Design and Implementation, and Capabilities and Competencies. Applicants must also submit a current comprehensive Statewide Strategic Plan and applicable DCRA documentation and other certifications. OJP reviews applications to determine whether the information presented is reasonable, understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the goals of the funding opportunity. Applicants should clearly explain criminal justice resource gaps, issues experienced in administering previous JAG awards, stakeholder engagement across the justice continuum, coordination of state and local planning, coordination with related justice funding, the proposed subaward process, and programs to be funded during the four-year grant period. They must also demonstrate capacity to administer the award and subawards, monitor subrecipients, collect and report performance data, and connect proposed costs to project goals, objectives, and activities. Recipients are required to submit regular performance reports documenting progress toward program goals and objectives. The NOFO was released August 25, 2026. Applicants were instructed to begin SAM.gov registration or renewal by August 25, 2026 and no later than August 26, 2026. The Grants.gov deadline is September 18, 2026, and the final JustGrants deadline is September 25, 2026. The expected award period is 48 months beginning October 1, 2025. The NOFO does not explicitly establish recurrence or a future application cycle, so no recurrence is inferred. Program questions may be directed to the OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or 800-851-3420. Technical assistance for JustGrants is available at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175.

Make the application reasonable, understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the funding opportunity goals. Clearly identify criminal justice resource gaps and explain issues encountered in administering previous JAG awards. Document stakeholder engagement across the justice continuum and coordination between state and local planning. Clearly describe the subaward process and four-year implementation approach. Demonstrate capacity to administer the award, monitor subrecipients, and collect and report performance data. Clearly name, describe, and compute each budget cost and connect it to project goals, objectives, and activities. Identify pass-through, administrative, and DCRA-related budget items as required.