OJJDP FY25 Juvenile Justice System Enhancements

The OJJDP Juvenile Justice System Enhancements program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This federal initiative is designed to support state governments in improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of juvenile justice systems. The program aligns with the broader mission of the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, enhance public safety, and protect civil rights. It provides funding and leadership to address systemic challenges within juvenile justice systems, particularly those that contribute to high costs or poor youth outcomes. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable states to identify and address critical challenges within their juvenile justice systems using data-driven strategies. Applicants are expected to analyze system-wide issues such as chronic or emerging crime problems, inefficiencies in court processing, gaps in services, or barriers to effective intervention. The program encourages jurisdictions to prioritize resource allocation toward actionable solutions that can reduce recidivism, improve youth outcomes, and enhance coordination across agencies. Projects may focus on areas such as mental health and substance use treatment, improved data systems, workforce development for youth, or enhanced case management processes. Funding under this program supports a wide range of allowable activities tied to system improvement and innovation. Applicants are expected to propose targeted interventions based on identified needs and supported by existing data. Activities may include stakeholder engagement, data analysis, development and implementation of strategies, and ongoing performance measurement. Funds cannot be used for activities that violate federal laws, including immigration enforcement restrictions or civil rights protections, and certain legal services are explicitly disallowed. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this program is limited to state governments, including U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths. Applicants may submit multiple proposals as long as each addresses a distinct project. Partnerships are permitted, but only one entity may serve as the primary applicant, with others participating as subrecipients. The application process involves a two-step submission: first, applicants must submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by the full application package in JustGrants. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, abstract, and supporting documentation such as resumes and letters of support. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process beginning with a basic minimum requirements screening, followed by a peer review assessing technical merit. Evaluation criteria include the clarity of the problem statement, strength of project design, alignment with program goals, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Additional programmatic and financial reviews are conducted before final funding decisions are made. Awards are expected to support a 36-month period of performance, during which recipients must implement their projects, measure outcomes, and submit required reports. Key dates for this opportunity include a Grants.gov submission deadline of June 8, 2026, and a JustGrants deadline of June 15, 2026. The funding opportunity was released on April 28, 2026, with awards anticipated to begin around June 1, 2026. Approximately five awards are expected, with a total program funding amount exceeding $7.2 million. Award recipients are required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and a final report documenting outcomes and lessons learned. For assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center via phone or email as listed in the NOFO.

Ensure strong data driven problem statement align project goals with OJJDP priorities and clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes