Collaborative Reform Initiative Program
🏛 Community Oriented Policing Services (USDOJ-OJP-COPS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for law enforcement agencies and organizations supporting police reform and community policing. Category 1 applicants must be law enforcement stakeholder associations (membership organizations). Category 2 applicants include nonprofits, for-profits, and higher education institutions—all must forgo profit or fees.
The program funds technical assistance on policing practices, officer safety, agency capacity-building, and community policing initiatives. Both categories support state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Two funding tracks are available. Category 1 (CRI-TAC) focuses on customizable short-term technical assistance through a "by the field, for the field" approach. Category 2 (Critical Response) provides targeted assistance for high-profile incidents or sensitive issues.
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Program description
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing and the Administration’s priority of Making America Safe Again by supporting the nation’s state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
The FY26 Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) program funding seeks to provide best practices of law enforcement agencies and the many ways they are protecting Americans, enhance officer safety and wellness, build agencies’ capacity for self-improvement and effectiveness, and promote community policing practices nationwide.
This funding opportunity has two program subcategories of which applicants may apply for funding:
Category 1: Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC). Since 2017, CRI-TAC has provided a wide array of TA services using a “by the field, for the field” approach. The CRI-TAC process is agency-driven and offers customizable, short-term technical assistance on more than 60 topics.
Category 2: Collaborative Reform Initiative Critical Response. The Critical Response program is designed to provide targeted TA to law enforcement agencies experiencing high-profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Critical Response is highly customizable and provides flexible assistance to law enforcement agencies in a variety of ways, including after-action reviews; peer-to-peer exchanges; targeted in-depth review, analysis, recommendations, and assessments; and facilitated discussions with subject matter experts. Critical Response projects may vary in duration depending upon scope.
For more information about these programs, visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/collaborativereform.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Description
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Documentation (proof of nonprofit status or law enforcement stakeholder association membership)
- Management Plan
- Evaluation Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Community Oriented Policing Services
- 📧 AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov
- 📞 800-421-6770
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.710 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$10,958,667
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$10,492,902
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$10,469,448
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$9,789,763
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$9,784,130
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$9,544,040
-
$9,000,000
-
$8,547,000
-
$8,245,000
-
$6,323,580
Top States by Funding
- TX 13 awards $84.4M
- VA 11 awards $53.1M
- CA 8 awards $36.6M
- NJ 7 awards $26.1M
- FL 6 awards $24.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.710). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2012 | $151,572,278 | |
| 2013 | $166,436,731 | |
| 2014 | $169,289,196 | |
| 2015 | $168,217,132 | |
| 2016 | $167,422,943 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Category 1 is limited to law enforcement stakeholder associations (membership organizations). Category 2 is open to nonprofits, for-profits, and higher education institutions, though for-profits must forgo profit or management fees.
What geographic areas are eligible?
Funding supports state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. Applicant organizations can be based anywhere.
What activities does this fund?
Category 1 provides short-term technical assistance on 60+ policing topics. Category 2 offers targeted assistance for high-profile incidents, including after-action reviews, peer exchanges, and expert consultations.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, the fixed deadline is August 24, 2026. Plan accordingly for application preparation.
What is the funding range?
Award amounts are not specified in standard tiers. The total funding pool is $4.2 million, with individual awards distributed accordingly.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Determine which category fits your organization. Category 1 requires membership-based law enforcement status; Category 2 has broader eligibility for nonprofits and institutions.
- For Category 2 applicants, clearly document commitment to forgoing profit or management fees if applicable. This is a compliance requirement.
- Use the "by the field, for the field" approach as a framing principle. Show how your organization understands law enforcement needs from direct experience.
- Connect your proposed work to the Administration's "Making America Safe Again" priority. Emphasize officer safety, wellness, and community policing outcomes.
- Review the 60+ technical assistance topics available for Category 1 to identify your strongest match. Specificity strengthens Category 2 proposals for Critical Response projects.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants misidentify their category or apply without clear eligibility status. For-profits in Category 2 who fail to explicitly waive profit and management fees are rejected. Proposals lack clear connection to officer safety, wellness, or community policing priorities.
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