FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 14, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as correctional facilities, that incur costs related to housing and caring for undocumented criminal aliens. SCAAP reimburses jurisdictions for the costs of incarcerating individuals who are not U.S. citizens and have been convicted of felonies or crimes of violence. Eligible applicants are primarily state departments of correction, county sheriff's offices, city police departments, and other law enforcement entities. Funding supports direct costs associated with detention and incarceration, including medical care, mental health services, and facility operations. Geographic scope is nationwide, and both urban and rural jurisdictions may apply. The program does not fund construction or facilities expansion, focusing instead on reimbursement for operational costs incurred.
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Program description
This NOFO seeks applications for payments under the statutorily required State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to eligible “states” and “units of local government” that incurred certain types of costs due to “incarceration” of “undocumented criminal aliens” during the July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, reporting period.
OJP is committed to advancing work that furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement
- Detailed budget narrative with cost breakdown by category (detention, medical, mental health, etc.)
- Cost allocation plan or methodology showing how eligible expenses were calculated
- Documentation of undocumented status verification (immigration records or ICE hold documentation)
- Documentation of convictions for felonies or crimes of violence
- Financial records supporting claimed costs (invoices, payroll records, facility operational reports)
- Resumes or organizational capacity documentation for key personnel managing the program
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 SCAAP@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.606 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,500,000
-
$500,000
Top States by Funding
- NY 1 awards $1.5M
- FL 1 awards $0.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.606). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $210,403,298 | |
| 2025 | $144,955,417 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for SCAAP funding?
State and local law enforcement agencies, county sheriffs' departments, state departments of correction, municipal police departments, and other criminal justice entities that incur costs for housing undocumented criminal aliens. Federal facilities generally do not qualify.
What costs does SCAAP reimburse?
Direct costs associated with incarcerating undocumented aliens convicted of felonies or crimes of violence, including incarceration, detention, medical care, mental health services, and facility operational costs.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is June 23, 2026. The application period opens on May 12, 2026, providing approximately six weeks to complete and submit.
Is this a competitive grant?
SCAAP is technically a reimbursement program based on documented costs, though funding availability may be limited. Applications must clearly demonstrate and document eligible expenses with supporting records.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary based on documented costs and available appropriations. Agencies should request reimbursement for actual verified expenses incurred. Contact BJA for historical funding information for your jurisdiction.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Maintain detailed financial records and cost accounting systems that clearly separate eligible undocumented criminal alien detention costs from general operational expenses; this documentation will be critical during review.
- Verify that individuals claimed are indeed convicted of felonies or crimes of violence and are not U.S. citizens, as eligibility requirements are strictly enforced and unsupported claims can result in disqualification.
- Engage your state criminal justice coordinating council or BJA regional office early to understand your jurisdiction's historical reimbursement rates and to clarify which costs are eligible versus ineligible.
- Include detailed budget narratives that break down costs by category (detention, medical, mental health, administrative) and reference the specific statutes and regulations governing cost eligibility.
- Begin gathering and organizing documentation immediately, as BJA will request verification of expenses through invoices, payroll records, and facility cost allocation plans that may take time to compile.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail when agencies submit vague cost estimates without sufficient documentation or when they attempt to claim ineligible costs (such as capital improvements or administrative overhead). A common pitfall is inadequately verifying that individuals claimed are actually undocumented and convicted of qualifying crimes, leading to disallowed reimbursements. Additionally, agencies frequently underestimate the administrative burden of tracking and justifying costs and should ensure their accounting systems can segregate SCAAP-eligible expenses from general operations.
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