2026 JAG/SCIP Innovation
🏛 Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy
✓ Free, no account · Source: IowaGrants.gov · Last verified Aug 30, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for entities in Iowa seeking federal funds to support criminal justice innovation and public safety initiatives. State agencies and local jurisdictions (counties, cities, law enforcement, courts) can apply. Funded projects must advance one or more priorities: improving justice system efficiency, using data for better outcomes, enhancing behavioral threat assessment, improving specialty courts, deploying investigative technology, improving correctional facility security, or reducing recidivism and crime. Projects with innovative approaches and strong cost-effectiveness are prioritized.
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Program description
GENERAL GRANT PROGRAM INFORMATION Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) The Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, provides financial assistance to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system. The JAG program places an emphasis on violent crime, drug offenses, serious offenders, and justice system improvement. The Iowa Byrne-JAG Strategy is available for review on the ODCP website . Funding for this solicitation is available through Iowa’s Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant allocation. Approximately $500,000 will be committed through this competitive grant process. Of the JAG program funds, federal guidelines require a minimum of roughly two-thirds of the funding be passed through to local jurisdictions, including small jurisdictions and no more than approximately one-third passed through to state agencies. Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Formula Grant Program, provides financial assistance to support a broad range of activities to strengthen community efforts to prevent, respond to, and reduce gun and violent crime in Iowa. Funding for this solicitation is available through Iowa’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention allocation. Approximately $700,000 will be committed through this competitive grant process. Of the SCIP program funds, federal guidelines require a minimum of 40% to be passed through to local jurisdictions. Byrne JAG/Byrne SCIP Innovation Solicitation Priorities The Office of Drug Control Policy has identified the following areas in which grant funding will be prioritized for projects that employ innovative strategies to positively affect substance abuse and/or criminal justice systems: · Enhance the administration of justice through improved efficiency, improved effectiveness, and/or reduced cost · Utilize data to improve system decision making and justice system outcomes. · Improve behavioral threat assessments and related training · Improve the operational effectiveness of specialty courts · Investigative technology that improves the quality/outcome/efficiency of enforcement agencies Note, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recently approved the use of grant funding to support drones/anti-drone hardware/software. If applications are approved by ODCP for drones, they will be conditional, pending review and approval from BJA. Grant funding will also be conditioned to post-award compliance with training, agency policies, and other requirements determined by BJA/FAA. Delays in project start dates should be expected. Additional information on program requirements can be found on BJA’s website Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) | Bureau of Justice Assistance . o Only drones listed on the BJA cleared list can be considered for funding. Requests for drones not on this list may be denied. https://bluelist.appsplatformportals.us/ Improve the security and/or accessibility in correctional facilities. · Reduce recidivism, victimization and crime This solicitation encourages exploration of new solutions to public safety and behavioral health concerns. It also addresses internal operations and organizational structure among criminal justice partners and develops strategies focused on addressing one or more of the priorities listed above. Applicants should propose initiatives that use data, sound criminal justice principles, and innovation to create strategies that are effective, economical, and sustainable. Projects, especially those that involve technology, should consider an approach that benefits partner agencies across different sectors and/or jurisdictions. Cost effectiveness/return on investment will be a primary consideration in selecting subgrantees.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed application form (JAG/SCIP Innovation Solicitation)
- Project Narrative describing need, approach, and alignment with priorities
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of commitment from partner agencies (if applicable)
- Data supporting needs assessment and projected outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 Dennis Wiggins
- 📧 wiggins@dps.state.ia.us
- 📞 (515) 805-4141
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State agencies and local jurisdictions in Iowa can apply. This includes law enforcement, courts, probation/parole agencies, and correctional facilities. JAG funding requires two-thirds pass-through to local jurisdictions.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is June 29, 2026. Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered.
What activities are eligible?
Eligible projects include justice system improvements, data-driven decision-making initiatives, behavioral threat assessment programs, specialty court enhancements, investigative technology, and recidivism reduction strategies.
What makes an application competitive?
Applicants should emphasize innovation, cost-effectiveness, return on investment, data-driven approaches, and sustainability. Projects benefiting multiple agencies or jurisdictions are preferred.
How much funding is available?
Approximately $500,000 in JAG funds and $700,000 in SCIP funds are available through this solicitation. Local jurisdictions must receive at least two-thirds of JAG funds and 40% of SCIP funds.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize cost-effectiveness and return on investment in your proposal. Reviewers prioritize projects demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
- Align your project with at least one of the identified solicitation priorities. Explicitly connect your activities to these focus areas.
- Use data to support your need statement and projected outcomes. Data-driven applications are more competitive.
- Consider partnerships across agencies or jurisdictions. Multi-sector projects are encouraged and viewed favorably.
- For technology proposals, ensure compliance with BJA requirements. If requesting drones, verify they are on the BJA cleared list before applying.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lacking clear connection to stated priorities or failing to demonstrate cost-effectiveness get rejected. Applications missing data-driven justification for need or outcomes are less competitive. Projects proposing non-approved drone models face conditional funding or denial.
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