Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Law Justice and Legal Services

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to increase basic access to justice in rural regions and for vulnerable populations throughout the Central African Republic.Central Africans in remote and conflict-affected communities continue to lack basic access to justice services and require assistance relating to crimes against vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly, widows, and orphans, LGBTQI+, and victims of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV). Despite substantial progress in recent years, CARs justice institutions lack the infrastructure and resources to provide legal services to a substantial section of the countrys population. CAR remote populations possess limited knowledge of how court system operations, available legal protections, and difficulty accessing courts with limited functionality. The absence of accessible, functional, and credible justice institutions has a profound impact on the lives of marginalized Central African populations as the risk of physical violence remains.

The Tennessee Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Assistance Program, announced by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), is a grant opportunity provided in partnership with the Forest Service. This program aims to promote the creation, enhancement, and protection of urban and community forest ecosystems throughout Tennessee, supporting full-circle management of these valuable resources. The broader mission alignment for this program is rooted in fostering sustainable and healthy communities through environmental stewardship, which aligns with the strategic priorities of both the Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program targets units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, and public educational institutions. Community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, or civic groups that are not 501(c)3 organizations are also eligible if they apply in partnership with a non-profit or local government. The impact goals are to integrate U&CF principles into planning, promote the role of U&CF in human health and wellness, cultivate diversity and leadership in the U&CF community, strengthen forest health and biodiversity, improve management and stewardship, and increase funding for U&CF initiatives. Key priorities for projects include extreme heat mitigation, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, and workforce development. The program also emphasizes increasing public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship, as well as engaging with communities under the Justice40 initiative through outreach, education, and technical and financial assistance. This focus reflects a strategic theory of change that links targeted interventions in urban forestry to broader improvements in public health, environmental resilience, and social equity within Tennessee communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include facilitating strong partnerships among various governmental and non-profit entities, increasing awareness and practice of full-circle management in urban forests, and improving community preparedness for natural disasters. The program also seeks to increase the number of communities participating in Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs and to increase awareness of the numerous benefits of trees, such as those related to extreme heat mitigation and stormwater management. Applicants can apply for amounts between $5,000 and $40,000, with projects expected to be completed within one year. Eligible projects encompass urban and community forestry management, tree planting, program development or capacity building, urban and community wood utilization, and workforce development.

This funding opportunity is designed to support U.S. and foreign non-profits, NGOs, and educational institutions in providing specialized law enforcement training to enhance the skills and capabilities of police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that create job training and education programs for vulnerable populations in California, including English Language Learners, justice-involved individuals, opportunity youth, and veterans, to help them achieve economic stability and career advancement.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nations state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The COPS Office is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding for the FY 24 CPD: Law Enforcement Products and Resources program. Community Policing Development (CPD) funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities. FY 2024 Law Enforcement Products and Resources CPD program funding supports the development of law enforcement products and resources specifically designed for national distribution that offer creative ideas to advance crime fighting, community engagement, problem solving, or organizational changes in support of community policing.

The Humanities Project Grants, administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), aim to support public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation, and engage the community. This aligns with a broader mission to explore the human experience through educational programming. The program's strategic priority is to use humanities as a central resource to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans, fostering public value through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include federally tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations incorporated and physically located in Iowa, or in border state communities demonstrating significant impact on Iowa's cultural vitality. Units of local, county, or federally-recognized tribal governments physically located in Iowa are also eligible, as are units within Iowa-based institutions of higher education with a core humanities mission. Individual filmmakers or humanities experts who are current, legal Iowa residents are also eligible, provided their projects are initiated and managed by the individual and do not primarily benefit an organization. The impact goal is to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming exploring the human experience. The program prioritizes projects where humanities are central and demonstrate public value to Iowans. Eligible projects span various formats, including community discussions, lecture series, workshops, films, interpretive exhibits, and podcasts. While creative or performing arts projects may be eligible, they must serve as a catalyst for a humanities-centric project and include interpretation and/or discussion of the art. Subject areas considered include archaeology, comparative religion, cultural anthropology, ethics, folklore, gender studies, history, jurisprudence, languages, law, linguistics, literature, philosophy, and the interpretation of the arts, as well as aspects of social sciences that explore humanity and meaning within communities. Expected outcomes include increased public engagement with humanities topics and enhanced cultural vitality across Iowa. Projects are expected to benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming. Measurable results would likely stem from the types of eligible projects, such as attendance at community discussions, lecture series, or workshops, or the reach of films, exhibits, or podcasts. The funding period for all project activities and expenses is November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 to cover eligible one-time project expenses. The program's theory of change posits that by funding accessible and engaging public humanities projects, it will foster deeper contemplation, conversation, and community engagement, ultimately enriching the human experience for Iowans.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to create and share resources that improve community policing practices and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

This funding opportunity supports small-scale research projects that explore the impact of race, ethnicity, and immigration status on social outcomes, aimed at fostering inclusion and diversity within communities.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington who demonstrate leadership and face systemic barriers to education, prioritizing those in marginalized communities.

The Michigan Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) offers the Environmental Justice (EJ) Impact Grant program. This program is designed to reduce environmental health burdens and impacts within Michigan’s Environmental Justice communities. The core mission of this grant aligns with the broader goal of promoting environmental equity and public health, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by environmental issues. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are residents within Michigan’s Environmental Justice communities. The overarching impact goal is to positively affect these residents by funding place-based and equity-focused projects. This direct focus on communities facing environmental injustice ensures that the grant addresses critical needs where they are most prevalent, aiming for tangible improvements in their living environments and health outcomes. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include community improvement projects aimed at enhancing public health, initiating or expanding monitoring of background pollution levels in air, water, or soil (with air monitoring equipment classified as air quality sensors and not for regulatory use), new or improved equipment or management techniques to improve indoor air quality in schools, and the remediation/redevelopment of contaminated or blighted sites. These priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to environmental justice, addressing both pollution and its direct impacts on community well-being. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in public health through community projects, enhanced understanding of pollution levels via monitoring, better indoor air quality in schools, and the revitalization of environmentally degraded areas. The program has a total of $20,000,000 available, with a maximum of $500,000 per applicant. This substantial funding allows for significant, impactful projects. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes, community-based non-profit organizations (including grassroots and frontline organizations), schools, institutions of higher education, and local governments, reflecting a strategic approach to engage diverse stakeholders in achieving environmental justice.

This program is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Pub. L. No. 117-328. The Expanding Sexual Assault Victim Services on Campus Pilot Program (hereafter referred to as Campus Victim Services Pilot) supports institutions of higher education to improve victim services on campus by expanding access to holistic sexual assault services on college campuses and creating a promising practice guide for higher education institutions that wish to expand their sexual assault services and advocacy. Campus sexual assault victim services need to be survivor-centered, comprehensive, culturally relevant, flexible, and accessible for all survivors of sexual assault. Therefore, collaborative relationships between campus and community-based victim service providers are critical to ensure accessibility to services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to law schools and legal advocacy organizations in Ohio to help individuals with exceptional rehabilitation stories navigate the expedited pardon process and secure clemency.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for educational programs aimed at training child protection professionals, including social workers, law enforcement, and healthcare providers, to better identify and address child abuse and trauma.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to improve whistleblower protections and reporting mechanisms in North Macedonia to combat corruption and enhance the rule of law.

Nigeria is ranked 8th most impacted country by terrorism globally according to the 2023 Global Terrorism index. Groups like ISIS West Africa (ISIS-WA) and Boko Haram have committed horrendous atrocities like massacres and mass killings, use of sexual violence and enslavement, suicide bombings, abductions, and forced conscription. These atrocities, especially in Nigerias northern region, have caused widespread fear among citizens, worsened a humanitarian crisis, and increased gross violations of human rights. To hold the perpetrators of these atrocities accountable, Nigerias Federal Ministry of Justice has assigned the prosecution of terrorism and atrocities cases to the ministrys Complex Case Group. Furthermore, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, which has jurisdiction over terrorism cases, has assigned a number of judges to adjudicate these cases. Nigerias Legal Aid Council (LACON) also provides defense to the persons charged with committing atrocities. In addition to these, the National Human Rights Commission is tasked with the responsibility of promoting and protecting human rights and the investigation of human rights violations. Thousands of terrorism cases in Nigeria remain backlogged. The backlog results from prosecutors and judges limited knowledge of prosecuting atrocities cases. Existing cases languish because of institutional administrative problems, including Nigerian judges transcribing court proceedings by hand, resulting in delays and errors. Lawyers at the Legal Aid Council also have limited specialized training which contributes to delays in the process and lack of proper defense for suspects. Detainees are kept in government detention facilities located at significant distances from the government officials responsible for the prosecution, defense and judgements, creating significant logistical challenges. Poor case management, disorganized court administration, and a lack of coordination between the Complex Case Group, Federal High Court, and the Joint Investigative Center (the unit responsible for investigating terrorism cases comprised of military, police and state security service investigators) further impede progress on atrocity cases.

This program is intended to serve to sustain the operational capability of the Somalia Police Force (SPF) counterterrorism units that have received training, equipping, and mentoring using CT funds. Program objectives are separated into three parts. 1) Continued training and mentoring to the SPF Forensic Science Lab (FSL). The selected implementer will be asked to deploy certified latent print and digital evidence subject matter experts to continue to work with FSL as it supports evidence-based counterterrorism investigations in Mogadishu. 1) Sustain logistical support to CT-funded SPF units This includes equipment maintenance and vehicle maintenance, consumables (including fuel, lab chemicals, and reagents, computer software licenses and updates, enabler capabilities including electronic countermeasures (ECM) system maintenance and support, and ammunition). This also includes tracking and monitoring Leahy vetting, collating stipend spreadsheets for pay out by a separate implementer, and, 1) Provide continued monitoring, evaluation, and oversight of weapons and ammunition as required by law. This involves monthly or quarterly (to be determined later) equipment verifications and reporting. This also includes managing a secure storage space and logging controlled items checked into and out of implementer custody. (Using the allocated budget, the selected implementer will be expected to maintain this or another storage space build to the same international standards. The estimated cost for this space is $7-10,000/month.

This funding opportunity provides resources to develop a standardized training curriculum for new corrections staff to effectively prevent and respond to sexual abuse and harassment in various confinement facilities across the country.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to provide logistical and administrative support to INL-Belize capacity building programs that provide training and other relevant activities to participants with the goal of enhancing the capacity of governmental institutions and to reduce crime. The logistics and administrative support services required are for programs implemented within the country of Belize only.

This initiative provides funding to Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Colleges and Universities to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on their campuses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to strengthen the capabilities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's customs and border officers in combating illicit mineral smuggling and fraud.