FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—State Formula
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 3, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state-designated justice administering agencies and state criminal justice agencies. Only official state administrative agencies can apply; individual organizations cannot.
The funding supports criminal justice and public safety work across all U.S. states and territories. Award amounts are formula-based and vary by state population and crime data.
Eligible uses include hiring personnel, purchasing equipment and supplies, funding training and technical assistance, and supporting information systems. Projects may address violent crime, human trafficking, opioid crisis response, victim services, or law enforcement support.
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Program description
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is committed to advancing work that furthers the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) mission to keep our country safe and secure and uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of American citizens. 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. This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—State Formula. This opportunity will provide formula funding to states to, in general, support hiring additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, including for any one or more of the eleven program areas. With this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), BJA seeks to award Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds to eligible states. Only designated state administering agencies are eligible to apply for this NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Description
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Documentation (EIN verification, nonprofit status if applicable)
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if claiming indirect costs)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.738 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$75,000,000
-
$75,000,000
-
$25,714,428
-
$21,274,503
-
$21,246,509
-
$19,663,951
-
$19,447,453
-
$18,234,257
-
$16,883,486
-
$16,611,430
Top States by Funding
- TX 8 awards $119.1M
- IL 7 awards $112.3M
- CA 6 awards $112.1M
- FL 8 awards $104.5M
- WI 1 awards $75.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.738). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $340,242,373 | |
| 2025 | $297,894,408 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only state-designated administering agencies for justice programs can apply. Individual nonprofits, cities, or private organizations cannot apply directly.
How is funding determined?
Awards use a formula based on state population and crime data. Each state receives a calculated share of total federal JAG funding.
What activities can be funded?
Hiring police and criminal justice personnel, purchasing equipment and vehicles, training programs, victim services, and criminal justice information systems are typical uses.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, the deadline is fixed for September 18, 2026. States should check with their administering agency for their internal submission date.
Can organizations partner with the state agency?
Yes, state agencies often subgrant JAG funds to local law enforcement and nonprofits, but only the state agency submits the federal application.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your state's JAG administering agency early. They control the application and subgrant process.
- Understand your state's allocation amount in advance. It's formula-based and fixed for the fiscal year.
- If subgranting through the state, submit your project proposal to them by their internal deadline, which comes before the federal deadline.
- Align your project to one of the eleven JAG program areas. Vague or multi-purpose proposals may score lower.
- Document how your project addresses public safety priorities like violent crime, human trafficking, or opioid response.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting directly to BJA without going through your state administering agency. Only the state agency can submit the JAG application.
Proposing activities outside the eleven eligible program areas or lacking clear connection to criminal justice and public safety.
Underestimating the state agency's internal deadlines, which are often 30-60 days before the federal deadline.
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