OJJDP FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, administers federal funding programs aimed at improving juvenile justice systems and supporting youth-serving initiatives across the United States. This funding opportunity focuses specifically on youth gang prevention and intervention, reflecting OJJDP’s longstanding role in addressing juvenile delinquency, enhancing public safety, and supporting community-based strategies that reduce youth involvement in criminal activity. This program is designed to support the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies that reduce youth gang crime and violence. The initiative emphasizes a comprehensive approach that not only prevents youth from joining gangs but also supports disengagement for those already involved. The program further aims to reduce recidivism and prevent additional acts of violence by youth who are gang-affiliated. Funded projects are expected to contribute to safer communities through coordinated prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts. Funding under this opportunity is provided as discretionary grants with an estimated total program funding of $3,500,000 and approximately eight awards expected. Individual awards may reach up to $500,000, though no formal minimum award amount is specified. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, allowing eligible applicants to propose projects without providing additional financial contributions. Funds are intended to support program implementation and may include activities such as outreach, case management, mentorship, and collaboration with law enforcement and community stakeholders. Eligibility is limited to public sector entities including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The program also references “units of local government” as eligible applicants, reinforcing its focus on public agencies that operate within defined jurisdictions. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement targeted gang prevention and intervention strategies within their communities. The application process is conducted through Grants.gov, where applicants must complete and submit the required application package by the deadline. While the synopsis does not detail all required components, applicants should expect to provide standard federal grant materials such as project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. The funding opportunity was posted on April 15, 2026, and updated on April 20, 2026, with a final application deadline of May 21, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the funding agency based on criteria aligned with program goals, including the effectiveness of proposed strategies, organizational capacity, and alignment with evidence-based practices. Although specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the synopsis, OJJDP typically prioritizes programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes and strong community partnerships. For assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center via email at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. This funding opportunity does not explicitly indicate whether it recurs annually; therefore, it should be treated as a single-cycle opportunity unless further information confirms otherwise. Applicants are encouraged to prepare submissions promptly given the relatively short application window between posting and deadline.

Ensure strong alignment with USACE stewardship goals demonstrate clear management capacity and provide detailed past performance examples