FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 6
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state, local, tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies. Eligible applicants must have prosecutors available for full-time or part-time assignment as Special Attorneys or Special Assistant United States Attorneys. Selected prosecutors will work under federal direction on fraud cases, immigration-related crimes, and human trafficking matters while remaining employees of their home agencies.
Applicants should have existing infrastructure to support federal prosecutorial coordination. The program requires prosecutors to be available for case-by-case assignments. Agencies will work directly with the National Fraud Enforcement Division, Criminal Division, or local U.S. Attorney's Offices.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program. This program will support state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies to assign or hire qualified prosecutors to serve full-time or part-time (on a case-by-case basis) as Special Attorneys under the direction of the National Fraud Enforcement Division or the Criminal Division, or to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) within a United States Attorney’s Office. These “cross-designated” prosecutors will remain employees of their home agencies but will investigate and prosecute assigned fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States (hereafter referred to as “criminal aliens”) for the duration of their appointment under this program. Cross-designated prosecutors may also be assigned cases involving drug or human trafficking committed within the United States. The National Fraud Enforcement Division, Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices will coordinate with selected prosecutor offices on a case-by-case basis to address logistics and any unique local circumstances. This grant program, authorized under Public Law 119-21, Title X, Subtitle A, Part II, Section 100055 (codified at 34 U.S.C. § 61101), is intended to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capacity, expand intergovernmental coordination, and enhance the ability of jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States, as well as investigate and prosecute drug and human trafficking crimes. The program is also intended to increase the availability of cross-designated prosecutorial personnel who can pursue these matters in coordination with federal authorities and contribute to the effective enforcement of applicable criminal laws.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational documentation and proof of prosecutorial authority
- Letters of commitment from prosecutors or agency leadership
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.076 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$10,000,000
Top States by Funding
- DC 1 awards $10.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State, local, tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies. Towns, cities, parishes, and other general-purpose local government units can apply.
Do prosecutors have to work full-time on federal cases?
No. Prosecutors can serve full-time or part-time on a case-by-case basis. They remain employees of their home agencies.
What types of cases will prosecutors handle?
Primarily fraud and crimes by aliens within the U.S. Prosecutors may also handle drug trafficking and human trafficking cases.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 7, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What award amounts are available?
Award amounts are not specified in the NOFO. The maximum is $3,000,000. Contact BJA for typical award ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly describe your available prosecutorial capacity. Specify how many prosecutors can be assigned and their qualifications.
- Explain your agency's existing relationships with federal prosecutors and U.S. Attorney's Offices. Prior coordination strengthens applications.
- Detail the administrative infrastructure your agency has to support federal case assignments. Include staffing and case management systems.
- Address how your jurisdiction experiences the target crimes (fraud by aliens, human trafficking, drug trafficking). Provide local crime data.
- Highlight your agency's commitment to sustained participation. Show how you'll maintain the program beyond the initial grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Understating prosecutorial capacity or experience with federal-level investigations. Failing to demonstrate existing relationships with federal prosecutors or clear coordination pathways. Not addressing how prosecutors will balance federal assignments with local docket responsibilities.
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