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

The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants Program administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, is a federal funding initiative designed to support projects that improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and assist victims of crime. The Office of Justice Programs provides leadership and funding to enhance public safety, address violent crime, and support victims nationwide. This funding opportunity is tied directly to congressional appropriations, specifically projects designated in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026, and is therefore limited to pre-identified recipients listed in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement. The purpose of this program is to allocate funding to specific community-based projects that align with national priorities such as strengthening law enforcement operations, combating violent crime, supporting victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and protecting children. The funding is restricted to those projects explicitly named by Congress, meaning applicants must match the designated recipient and project description exactly as listed in the appropriations documentation. This ensures that funds are used for targeted initiatives that have already undergone legislative review and approval. Funding under this program is highly structured. The total expected funding is over sixty-one million dollars distributed across approximately eighty-three awards. Individual award amounts are capped according to the amounts specified in the appropriations act for each designated project. The period of performance ranges from twelve to forty-eight months, beginning in January 2026 unless a later start date is requested, which cannot exceed October 1, 2026. Funds must directly support the approved project scope, and recipients are prohibited from using funds for unrelated activities, security enhancements for non-public safety entities, or any form of profit or management fees. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is strictly limited. Only entities that have been invited to apply and are listed in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement are eligible. Applicants must ensure that their legal name and unique entity identifier registered in SAM align exactly with the designated recipient listed in the appropriations documentation. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this program, which simplifies financial planning for eligible applicants but reinforces the importance of adhering strictly to the approved project scope. The application process involves a two-step submission. First, applicants must submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov. Second, the full application must be completed and submitted through the JustGrants system. Required components include a proposal abstract, a detailed proposal narrative, a budget with justification, and various financial and compliance forms. The proposal narrative must address the need for the project, goals and objectives, implementation plan, and organizational capacity. Additional documentation may include indirect cost agreements and statements related to research integrity. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Justice Programs to ensure they are consistent with the funding opportunity’s goals and the specific congressional designation. Review criteria include clarity, feasibility, alignment with objectives, and compliance with the invitation and guidance provided. Successful applicants are expected to submit regular performance reports demonstrating progress toward project goals. Award notifications are anticipated by the end of September 2026. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with a release date in mid-June 2026. Applicants must submit initial forms by mid-July 2026 and complete full submissions shortly thereafter. Registration in SAM is required prior to submission and should be initiated as early as possible. For questions, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center via phone or email during standard business hours. Overall, this program represents a targeted federal investment in pre-approved community projects that advance public safety and victim support initiatives.

Ensure exact alignment with the congressional designated project and applicant name; strictly follow required components and submission steps; ensure budget directly supports approved scope