Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2026 172704
The BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - State Formula is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to support the DOJ mission of public safety, the rule of law, and protection of individual rights by giving states flexible, formula-based funding that can be used across a wide range of criminal justice and related civil justice priorities. The program is meant to strengthen state and local justice systems by helping agencies respond to persistent and emerging challenges such as violent crime, crimes against children, services for victims, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis.
This NOFO provides formula funding to states, meaning awards are driven by a statutory or administrative formula rather than a purely competitive selection process. In practical terms, the funds can generally be used to hire additional personnel and to purchase equipment and supplies, as well as to cover contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems. The funding can support criminal justice functions and, where appropriate, civil proceedings, giving states the ability to invest in both frontline operations and the infrastructure that makes justice systems work more effectively (for example, data systems, case management tools, or information-sharing capabilities).
A key feature of the JAG State Formula program is flexibility across eleven broad program areas established under JAG. While the specific NOFO text provided does not list the eleven areas, the intent is clear: states may direct funds to one or more eligible purpose areas to address their most pressing needs, whether that involves policing and prosecution resources, prevention initiatives, corrections-related improvements, technology upgrades, specialized training, or other allowable justice system supports. This structure is intended to let each state align spending with its own public safety strategy while still staying within federal guidelines and reporting requirements.
Eligibility is limited to state governments, and more specifically, only the designated State Administering Agency (SAA) for each state may apply under this NOFO. That means individual local governments, police departments, sheriff offices, courts, nonprofits, universities, and other entities generally do not apply directly to this state-formula announcement. Instead, states typically make funding decisions and may pass funds through to local units of government or other subrecipients in accordance with program rules, state priorities, and any required planning or stakeholder input processes.
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 16.738, with the funding instrument type identified as a grant. The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172704. The posting indicates an original application closing date of September 18, 2026, and a maximum award ceiling of $21,479,876 (noting that actual allocations vary by state under the formula). The NOFO was created on August 25, 2026, and is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services.Apply for O BJA 2026 172704
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—State Formula" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.738.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $21,479,876.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - State Formula?
It is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The program provides states with flexible, formula-based funding to support public safety, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights by strengthening state and local justice systems.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to help states strengthen justice systems and respond to both persistent and emerging challenges. The opportunity is intended to support a wide range of criminal justice priorities and related civil justice priorities, including issues such as violent crime, crimes against children, services for victims, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis.
3) Who is the awarding agency and who administers the program?
The awarding department is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The program is within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
4) Is this opportunity competitive, or is it formula-based?
This NOFO provides formula funding to states. That means awards are driven by a statutory or administrative formula rather than being selected through a purely competitive process.
5) What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
6) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments. More specifically, only the designated State Administering Agency (SAA) for each state may apply under this NOFO.
7) Can local governments, police departments, courts, nonprofits, or universities apply directly?
Generally, no. Individual local governments, police departments, sheriff offices, courts, nonprofits, universities, and other entities typically do not apply directly to this state-formula announcement. The application is submitted by the state through its designated SAA.
8) If an organization cannot apply directly, how might it receive JAG State Formula funding?
States typically make funding decisions and may pass funds through to local units of government or other subrecipients in accordance with program rules, state priorities, and any required planning or stakeholder input processes.
9) What types of activities can the funds generally support?
In practical terms, the funds can generally be used to hire additional personnel and purchase equipment and supplies. Funds can also cover contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems.
10) Can this funding be used for technology or data system upgrades?
Yes. The NOFO describes support for information systems and justice system infrastructure, including examples such as data systems, case management tools, or information-sharing capabilities.
11) Does the program support both frontline operations and system infrastructure?
Yes. The program is intended to let states invest in both frontline justice operations (such as staffing and equipment) and supporting infrastructure that improves how justice systems function (such as technology and information-sharing).
12) Can the funding support civil justice activities as well as criminal justice activities?
Yes. The NOFO indicates funding can support criminal justice functions and, where appropriate, civil proceedings.
13) What issue areas or challenges is the program meant to help address?
The program is described as helping agencies respond to challenges such as violent crime, crimes against children, services for victims, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis.
14) What are the "program areas" under JAG State Formula?
A key feature of the JAG State Formula program is flexibility across eleven broad program areas established under JAG. The information provided notes that the specific eleven areas are not listed in the excerpt, but that states may direct funds to one or more eligible purpose areas to address their needs (for example, policing and prosecution resources, prevention initiatives, corrections-related improvements, technology upgrades, and specialized training).
15) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 16.738.
16) What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172704.
17) What is the application closing date?
The posting indicates an original application closing date of September 18, 2026.
18) What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award ceiling listed is $21,479,876. Actual allocations vary by state under the formula.
19) Does every state receive the same award amount?
No. The opportunity is formula-based, and the posting notes that actual allocations vary by state under the formula.
20) When was this NOFO created?
The NOFO was created on August 25, 2026.
21) What category is this funding opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services
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| BJA FY 2026 Crisis Response Training Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172706 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172706 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—Local Formula Apply for O BJA 2026 172705 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172705 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $4,964,030 |
| BJA FY 2026 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Formula Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172690 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172690 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $16,015,504 |
| OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 8 Apply for O BJA 2026 172719 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172719 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Invitation to Apply Administrative Funding Adjustment 3 Apply for O OVW 2026 172681 Funding Number: O OVW 2026 172681 Agency: Office on Violence Against Women Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $399,117 |
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| BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply- Regional Information Sharing Systems Apply for O BJA 2026 172722 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172722 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $10,900,000 |
| OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative - Invitation to Apply Apply for O OVW 2026 172660 Funding Number: O OVW 2026 172660 Agency: Office on Violence Against Women Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,460,000 |
| BJA FY 2026 Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Program: Joint Task Force Crossroads America - Indiana Invitation to Apply Apply for O BJA 2026 172728 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172728 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,615,056 |
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