BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply -Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program

The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice. This federal funding initiative is designed to support projects that align with the Department of Justice mission to enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights of individuals across the United States. The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides leadership, funding, and resources to support law enforcement operations, address violent crime, assist victims, and respond to complex public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the opioid crisis. This specific funding opportunity is tied to congressionally directed spending under the Department of Justice Appropriations Act and reflects national priorities established through legislative appropriations. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support for projects explicitly designated in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the 2026 appropriations legislation. These projects are intended to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime, excluding compensation programs. The funding is highly structured and limited to pre-identified recipients and projects, meaning applicants must have received an invitation to apply and must match the designated entity and project description exactly as listed in the congressional documentation. This structure ensures that funds are distributed according to federal legislative intent and are not open to general competition. Funding under this program is restricted to the exact amounts and purposes specified in the appropriations act. Applicants must ensure that all proposed costs directly support the designated project and are clearly justified within the budget. Certain activities are explicitly prohibited, including providing security enhancements or equipment to nongovernmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety functions. Additionally, recipients and subrecipients, including for-profit entities, are not permitted to earn profit or management fees from the grant. Other unallowable activities include those that violate federal immigration laws, civil rights laws, or involve prohibited legal services for certain populations unless explicitly authorized. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to entities that have been specifically identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement and invited by the Bureau of Justice Assistance to apply. Applicants must ensure that their legal name as registered in the System for Award Management matches the name listed in the congressional documentation. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this program, which reduces the financial burden on applicants but reinforces the requirement that funds be used strictly for the designated purposes. The application process involves a two-step submission. First, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov. Second, they must submit the full application through the JustGrants system. Required application components include a proposal abstract, proposal narrative, budget details, and various financial and compliance documents. The proposal narrative must address the need for the project, outline goals and objectives, describe implementation strategies, and demonstrate organizational capacity. Additional documentation may include indirect cost agreements and compliance disclosures. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Justice Programs to ensure that they are complete, reasonable, and aligned with the goals of the funding opportunity. Reviewers assess whether the proposed project is achievable, measurable, and consistent with the original congressional designation. Successful applicants are expected to comply with post-award requirements, including performance reporting and adherence to federal grant regulations. Awards are anticipated to be announced by late September, with project periods ranging from 12 to 48 months depending on the approved timeline. Key deadlines for this opportunity include submission of the SF-424 by July 29, 2026, and completion of the full application in JustGrants by July 31, 2026. The funding opportunity was released in mid-June 2026, and applicants were advised to begin registration processes early to ensure eligibility. Contact support is available through the Office of Justice Programs Response Center, and technical assistance is provided through Grants.gov and JustGrants help desks. This opportunity is not recurring in a traditional open-competition format, as it is tied to specific congressional appropriations and designated recipients.