U.S. Department of Justice FY26 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Notice of Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation is a comprehensive federal funding opportunity designed to streamline and consolidate multiple tribal justice and public safety grant programs into a single application process. Administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, this program reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia in strengthening justice systems, improving public safety, and enhancing services for victims of crime. By integrating multiple purpose areas into one solicitation, the program reduces administrative burden and allows tribes to pursue coordinated, community-wide strategies that address interconnected justice challenges. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support tribal communities in developing and implementing comprehensive approaches to public safety, justice system improvements, and victim services. Applicants may select from multiple purpose areas covering law enforcement, justice system planning, infrastructure development, treatment courts, youth justice, and victim services. The program emphasizes holistic strategies that address crime prevention, substance use disorders, domestic violence, and the needs of victims while also strengthening tribal sovereignty and justice capacity. Funding is distributed across several purpose areas, each with distinct objectives and allowable uses. Eligible activities include hiring law enforcement personnel, building or renovating justice facilities, developing strategic justice system plans, implementing treatment courts, providing services for child abuse victims, and supporting youth justice initiatives. Funding amounts vary significantly depending on the purpose area, with some awards reaching several million dollars, particularly for infrastructure projects. Funds must be used in accordance with federal grant requirements, and certain restrictions apply, such as limitations on unallowable costs and compliance with federal statutes. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal consortia, with some flexibility for tribal designees under specific purpose areas. Each eligible entity may submit only one application, although participation in a consortium does not preclude submitting a separate application for different activities. Notably, this funding opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds, reducing financial barriers for applicants and encouraging broader participation among tribal communities. The application process involves a two-step submission. Applicants must first submit a standard SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by a full application submission through the JustGrants system. The process requires careful coordination and adherence to federal submission requirements, including registration in SAM.gov and compliance with technical submission guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to participate in pre-application webinars and utilize available technical assistance resources to strengthen their proposals. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, the strength of the proposed approach, demonstrated need, and the capacity of the applicant to successfully implement the project. Additional consideration may be given to applicants addressing specific priority areas such as human trafficking, missing or murdered Indigenous persons, and strategic planning alignment. Awards are anticipated to be announced approximately one year after submission, with project performance periods ranging from two to five years depending on the selected purpose area. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date in July, with application deadlines in October. Specifically, the initial SF-424 submission is due in mid-October, followed by the full application approximately one week later. Awards are generally announced by the end of the following fiscal year. This opportunity is part of an annual funding cycle, meaning similar solicitations are expected to recur in future years, allowing tribes to plan long-term strategies and reapply for funding aligned with evolving community needs.

Align proposal with DOJ priority areas such as public safety and victim services; ensure strong coordination across justice system components; clearly justify need and capacity