FY 2026 Invited to Apply – Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for designated criminal justice projects identified in the FY 2026 Congressional Appropriations Act. Only organizations listed in the Joint Explanatory Statement for OJP-Byrne projects are eligible. Your legal name must match exactly with the name in the Congressional designation, as registered in SAM. Contact NIJ if you're uncertain whether your organization is listed.
Projects must address criminal justice system improvements, juvenile delinquency prevention, or victim assistance (excluding direct victim compensation). This is an invitation-only program; applicants must be pre-designated by Congress.
Geographic scope is national, though specific projects may have local focus. No cost-sharing is required. Only organizations designated in the appropriations act can apply.
Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the National Institute of Justice FY 2026 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. This opportunity seeks to support projects designated for funding pursuant to the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, Div. A, Title II.) to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and to assist victims of crime (other than compensation).
The Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act lists the designated projects, which the Act incorporates by reference, as stated in relevant part, below—
• $537,978,926 is for discretionary grants to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and to assist victims of crime (other than compensation), which shall be made available for the OJP—Byrne projects, and in the amounts, specified in the table titled ‘‘Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending’’ included for this division in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act): Provided, That such amounts may not be transferred for any other purpose; (Pub. L. No. 119-74, Div. A, Title II).
Note that this NOFO is only for OJP-Byrne projects to be administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Separate NOFOs will be posted and invitations sent for projects to be administered by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Proof of legal name registration in SAM
- Project narrative addressing criminal justice, juvenile delinquency, or victim assistance goals
- Budget and budget narrative
- Documentation of designation in Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Justice
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-616-5314
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.753 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$7,400,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$4,999,999
-
$4,600,000
-
$4,500,000
-
$4,500,000
-
$4,347,000
-
$4,316,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 7 awards $27.7M
- AK 6 awards $20.0M
- AZ 6 awards $13.9M
- LA 5 awards $13.8M
- MI 5 awards $13.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.753). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $347,779,170 | |
| 2025 | $749,000 |
FAQ
How do I know if my organization is eligible?
Check the FY 2026 Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement for the list of designated OJP-Byrne projects. Your legal name in SAM must match exactly.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects improving criminal justice system functioning, preventing juvenile delinquency, or assisting crime victims (not compensation).
Is this a rolling deadline or fixed?
This has a fixed deadline of July 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted by that date.
Can I contact NIJ if I have questions?
Yes. Contact NIJ before applying if unsure about eligibility or project scope alignment.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization's exact legal name matches the Congressional designation in SAM before applying.
- Review the Joint Explanatory Statement carefully to confirm your project is listed with the correct funding amount.
- Align your application narrative directly to the criminal justice, juvenile delinquency, or victim assistance goals specified in the appropriations act.
- Ensure your UEI is current and active in SAM with your correct legal name registered.
- Contact NIJ early if eligibility questions arise; this is a targeted, invitation-only program.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when legal names don't match Congressional designation exactly in SAM. Projects outside the three allowed purposes (criminal justice, juvenile delinquency, victim assistance) are ineligible. Applicants who aren't specifically named in the appropriations act shouldn't attempt to apply.
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