BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply Public Safety Officers Benefits (PSOB) Support Program

The Public Safety Officers Benefits Support Program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice. The Bureau of Justice Assistance serves as a federal agency dedicated to strengthening the nation public safety infrastructure through funding, technical assistance, and policy development. This particular funding opportunity is issued as an invited notice, meaning that a specific organization has been selected to apply based on its established expertise and national role. The program aligns with the broader Public Safety Officers Benefits program, which provides financial support to families and survivors of public safety officers who have died or suffered catastrophic injury in the line of duty. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the International Association of Fire Fighters in delivering specialized assistance to its members and their families. The program is designed to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive guidance throughout the complex federal benefits application process. This includes assistance with preparing and submitting Public Safety Officers Benefits claims for line of duty deaths and catastrophic injuries affecting firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The initiative is intended to reduce administrative barriers and improve access to federal benefits for affected families during periods of crisis. Funding under this cooperative agreement supports a range of allowable activities centered on claim facilitation and advocacy. These activities include helping applicants compile required documentation, navigating submission procedures, and offering continued support during claim review and appeals processes when necessary. The award is structured to enhance the capacity of the designated organization to provide consistent, knowledgeable, and compassionate support services. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds, indicating that the federal government will fully fund the approved activities within the scope of the award. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is restricted to a single invited applicant, the International Association of Fire Fighters. This restriction reflects the organization national representation of firefighters and its established infrastructure to support members across the United States. Because this is an invited opportunity, the general public and other organizations are not eligible to apply. The scope of beneficiaries, however, includes families of fallen firefighters and emergency medical workers, as well as individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries in the line of duty. The application process follows standard federal submission protocols through Grants.gov, although only the invited applicant may submit. Required components typically include organizational information, programmatic plans, and documentation demonstrating the applicant ability to execute the proposed activities. The application timeline for this opportunity is highly compressed, with posting occurring in July and the closing date shortly thereafter. Applicants are expected to submit all materials electronically by the stated deadline. The evaluation of the application will likely focus on the applicant demonstrated experience, organizational capacity, and ability to effectively support beneficiaries through the Public Safety Officers Benefits process. As a cooperative agreement, the Bureau of Justice Assistance may maintain an active role in oversight and collaboration throughout the performance period. While specific performance timelines are not explicitly stated, such agreements typically span a defined period during which services must be delivered and outcomes reported. The funding opportunity does not indicate a recurring cycle and appears to be a one time invited solicitation. Contact for the program is provided through a Department of Justice email address, ensuring that applicants can seek clarification if needed. Overall, the program represents a targeted federal investment in supporting public safety personnel and their families during some of the most challenging circumstances, leveraging the expertise of a national organization to deliver critical assistance.