FY 2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs
🏛 Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (USDOJ-OJP-OJJDP)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for multistate mentoring programs serving youth at risk of delinquency, victimization, or justice system involvement. Applicants must be other units of local government. Activities include one-on-one, group, or peer mentoring services.
Geographic scope extends nationally across multiple states. Awards range from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 per grant. No cost sharing is required.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OJJDP FY 2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs. This opportunity supports the implementation and delivery of mentoring services to youth populations that are at risk or high risk for delinquency, victimization, and going into the juvenile justice system. Mentoring services can be one-on-one, group, peer, or a combination of these types.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Evaluation Plan
- Organizational Capability Statement
- Letters of Commitment/MOUs from partner states and local jurisdictions
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 0000000000
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.726 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$28,000,000
-
$28,000,000
-
$27,049,027
-
$26,195,504
-
$26,126,253
-
$11,000,000
-
$11,000,000
-
$10,999,994
-
$10,999,928
-
$7,822,988
Top States by Funding
- GA 12 awards $146.1M
- FL 9 awards $53.0M
- CA 11 awards $17.5M
- NY 8 awards $15.6M
- DC 9 awards $15.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.726). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $89,265,260 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Other units of local government serving multiple states. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to deliver mentoring programs across state boundaries.
What is the deadline and award amount?
Deadline is October 29, 2026. Awards range from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000.
What mentoring models are supported?
One-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, peer mentoring, or combinations of these approaches. Programs target youth at risk for delinquency and justice system involvement.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong evidence of program effectiveness, detailed implementation plans across multiple states, and demonstrated commitment to serving high-risk youth populations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early with state partners. Multistate coordination requires advance planning and written MOUs with local jurisdictions.
- Center evaluation design in your proposal. Reviewers prioritize programs with clear, measurable outcomes for youth mentoring.
- Emphasize youth risk profiles. Clearly describe which at-risk populations you'll serve and why mentoring addresses their specific needs.
- Address sustainability beyond grant funding. Outline how your program will continue after the initial award period.
- Build diverse mentoring approaches. Show how you'll blend one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring to maximize impact.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague descriptions of multistate coordination. Unclear evaluation plans without baseline data. Weak connection between program design and proven mentoring best practices.
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