OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

BJA FY 2026 Investigating and

Prosecuting Sexual Assaults in

Confinement Facilities Program

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2026-172674

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: September 23, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: September 30, 2026, by 8:59 PM ET

BJA FY 2026 Investigating and Prosecuting Sexual Assaults in Confinement Facilities Program

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 2

Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

6. Application Review Information

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements & Administration

9. Questions?

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 3

1. BASIC INFORMATION

Purpose of the Funding

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 FY 2026 Investigating and

Prosecuting Sexual Assaults in Confinement Facilities Program. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal efforts to enhance their capacity to investigate and prosecute incidents of sexual assault in confinement facilities. State agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutorial agencies may utilize this funding for investigative and prosecutorial activities to decrease incidents of sexual assault in confinement facilities and increase the rate of successful prosecutions in such cases.

Permissible uses of funding include:

• Establishing or enhancing prosecution units for sexual assault.

• Supporting evidence collection, retention, and victim/witness interviewing efforts.

• Educating and training law enforcement, prosecutors’ offices, and their partners in responding to, investigating, and prosecuting cases involving sexual assault in confinement settings.

• Establishing or supporting existing coordinated interagency responses, such as multidisciplinary sexual assault response teams (SARTs) in confinement facilities.

• Acquiring resources or equipment to support effective sexual assault investigations, such as security cameras.

• Training for prosecutors for cases involving sexual assault in confinement facilities.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 4

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.735

Statutory Authority Pub. L. No. 108-79 (codified at 34 U.S.C. 30301 - 30309); Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119- 74, 140 Stat. 5, 30, para. 1(E))

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172674

Expected Total Amount of Funding Approximately $7,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards 4

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $2,000,000

Expected Award Period(s) 48 months starting on October 1, 2026

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date August 13, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by August 24, 2026, and no later than September 9, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on September 23, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026

Anticipated Notification Date By September 30, 2026

See Questions? at the end of this NOFO for agency contact information.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities o State governments o County governments o City or township governments o Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized) o Native American Tribal governments (other than federally recognized)

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 5

Other o State and local prosecuting agencies o Other units of local government o Publicly funded law enforcement agencies

“Other” Entities Definition:

• For the purposes of this NOFO, “state and local prosecuting agencies” include state, county, and municipal government offices that are authorized to prosecute criminal offenses on behalf of the government.

• For the purposes of this NOFO, “other units of local government” include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.

• For the purposes of this NOFO, “publicly funded law enforcement agencies” are law enforcement agencies funded by States, federally recognized Tribes, or units of local government.

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement: This NOFO does not require cost sharing

(match).

Limit on Number of Applications: An applicant may only submit one application in response to this NOFO. An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application.

If a project will be carried out by two or more entities (project partners), only one entity may submit the application. The other entities (project partners) must be proposed as subrecipients rather than co-applicants. An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application. For additional information regarding subawards, see the

Application Resource Guide.

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 108-79 (codified at 34 U.S.C. 30301 - 30309); Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 30, para. 1(E))

Agency Funding Priorities

To help meet its mission, OJP may give priority consideration to applications proposing

(as applicable within the scope of this NOFO) projects designed to advance the goals listed below:

(a) Directly supporting law enforcement operations (including immigration law enforcement operations);

(b) Combatting violent crime;

(c) Supporting services to American citizens;

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#information-proposed-subawards

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 6

(d) Protecting American children; and

(e) Supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.

In addition to the Agency priorities listed above, priority consideration will be given under this NOFO for state/local law enforcement efforts that are coordinated with federal law enforcement efforts through: (i) established and full participation in, or (ii) commitment to enter into and fully participate in a 287(g) partnership and/or a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). To request priority consideration, applicants must provide a letter of support from DOJ through the

U.S. Attorney's Office's Lead HSTF Attorney (for the applicable HSTF), certifying the applicant is currently or intends to participate in HSTF activities or major DOJ operations; with respect to a 287(g) partnership, the applicant must provide documentary evidence that it is already an established 287(g) partner, or else, evidence of a bona fide commitment to engage in such a partnership.

Note: Addressing these priorities is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

Unallowable Activities: The following are certain unallowable costs and certain activities that are out of the program scope and will not be funded.

1. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that, directly or indirectly, violates (or promotes or facilitates the violation of) federal immigration law (including 8 U.S.C. § 1373) or impedes or hinders the enforcement of federal immigration law—including by failing to comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, give access to DHS agents, or honor DHS requests and provide requested notice to DHS agents.

2. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that violates any applicable Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination law. This includes violations that – (1) indirectly violate the law, including by promoting or facilitating violations; or (2) unlawfully favor individuals in any race or protected group, including on a majority or minority, or privileged or unprivileged, basis, within a given area, population, or sector.

3. As specified in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, in Chapter 3.13 “Unallowable Costs” (“Legal Services for Aliens”), any obligations of funds, at any tier, under this award to provide (or to support the provision of) legal services to any removable alien or any alien otherwise unlawfully present in the United States shall be unallowable costs for purposes any award made under this notice, but the foregoing shall not be understood to apply— (1) to legal services to obtain protection orders for victims of crime; or (2) to immigration-related legal services that may be expressly authorized or required by any law, or any judicial ruling, governing or applicable to the award.

https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 7

Goals and Objectives of This Funding Opportunity

Goal 1: Enhance prosecutorial and investigative operations and capacity for the processing and disposition of sexual assault cases in confinement settings.

Objective 1: Increase the number of incidents of sexual assault that are investigated and referred for potential prosecution.

Objective 2: Increase the rate of successful prosecutions of cases involving sexual assault in confinement facilities.

Objective 3: Improve collaboration and operations among state agencies, correctional institutions, law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies in investigating instances of sexual assault in confinement facilities.

For a description of how awards under this NOFO will contribute to achieving these goals and objectives, see the Performance Reports section below.

Expected Outcomes

OJP expects recipients to submit deliverables and performance reports, as described below. Read the Application Resource Guide for more information. OJP will measure success by reviewing a recipient’s submission of performance reports and data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and objectives of this NOFO.

Deliverables

Recipients do not need to submit any deliverables other than the standard items in the

Post-Award Requirements and Administration section.

Performance Reports

OJP requires recipients to submit regular performance reports that communicate progress toward achieving Program Goals and Objectives. Read information on performance reporting.

A list of performance measure questions for this funding opportunity can be found at

BJA Performance Measure Questionnaire.

Award recipients will receive further guidance on post award reporting requirements.

4. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Application Contents List

OJP will only consider applications that contain all required parts, which are marked

*Required* below. Refer to the DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist for application instructions.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/performance-measures/prea-measures.pdf https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 8

Application Item Submission Type

Step 1: Grants.gov

Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424 *Required* Online Form

Step 2: JustGrants

Standard Applicant Information *Required* Online Form

Proposal Abstract Text Box

Data Requested With Application

• Financial Management and System of Internal

Controls Questionnaire (including Applicant

Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

• Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Online Form

Proposal Narrative *Required* Attachment

Budget *Required* Online Form

Other Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

• Consultant Rate (if applicable)

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee

Compensation for Awards Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable)

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive

Compensation (if applicable)

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

• Timeline

Attachment

In addition to the items marked *Required* in the table above, the following are considered basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review:

• The application is submitted by an eligible applicant.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 9

• The requested award amount does not exceed the award ceiling.

• The application is responsive to the scope of the NOFO.

Standard Applicant Information *Required*

Review and edit as needed the information imported from the SF-424 submitted in

Grants.gov. Add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project.

Proposal Abstract

In JustGrants, enter a proposal abstract (limited to 2,000 characters) summarizing the proposed project. As abstracts for funded projects are public, do not include any personally identifying information (e.g., staff names). The abstract should include the following information:

• The name of the applicant’s proposed project.

• The purpose of the proposed project (i.e., what the project will do and why it is necessary).

• Where the project will take place (i.e., the service area, if applicable).

• Who will be served by the project (i.e., who will be helped or have their needs addressed by the project).

• What activities will be carried out to complete the project.

• The subrecipient(s)/partner organizations or entities, if known.

• Deliverables and expected outcomes (i.e., what the project will achieve).

View an example of a proposal abstract.

Data Requested With Application

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire

(including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

Review information on this questionnaire.

Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Applicants seeking priority consideration under the Agency Funding Priorities section should answer the inventory questions in their entirety in the web-based form in

JustGrants.

Proposal Narrative *Required*

Format of the Proposal Narrative

Submit the narrative as an attachment in JustGrants. The document should:

• Be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point size font

• Have no less than 1-inch margins

• Have numbered pages

• Not exceed 10 pages https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#proposal-abstract https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#fm-internal-controls-questionnaire

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 10

If the Proposal Narrative does not follow this format, OJP may reduce the score/ranking of the application.

Sections of the Proposal Narrative

The Proposal Narrative must include the four sections listed below. If you want priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state which priority(ies) your project will advance and describe how it will do so.

1. Description of the Need (5% of application score): What critical issue or problem do you propose to address with this project? Please include:

• A description of your proposed project's target area, and the history, nature, and extent of the existing infrastructure for investigating and prosecuting sexual assaults in confinement facilities.

• A description of the challenges you face in investigating and charging potential cases involving sexual assault in confinement facilities.

2. Project Goals and Objectives (15% of application score): How will the proposed project address the need identified and address the purpose of the

NOFO? Please include:

• Project goals (goals are broad, visionary statements on what you hope to accomplish).

• Project objectives (objectives are specific outcomes you plan to achieve through project activities).

• How your project goals and objectives relate to the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity.

3. Project Design and Implementation (35% of application score): How will you implement project activities that meet the project goals and objectives?

Please include:

• What strategies and planned activities you will conduct to improve investigations of sexual assaults in confinement facilities to ensure cases are properly identified and successfully prosecuted.

• How you will coordinate with federal, state, local, and tribal partners, and how prosecutors will be involved.

• How you will deliver or complete those activities.

• When the activities will take place.

• Who in your organization will staff the activities, including key staff.

• Who will participate in and benefit from the activity.

• When activities or project milestones will be accomplished.

• What deliverables, reports, and other items will be produced as part of the project.

• If you plan to use subrecipients to help conduct the project, please name them (if they are known) or describe how you will identify them. Please describe their role in conducting project activities.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 11

4. Capabilities and Competencies (30% of application score): What administrative and technical capacity and expertise do you bring to successfully complete this project? Please include:

• A short description of your capacity to deliver the proposed project and meet the post-award requirements, if funded.

• A description of projects or activities your organization has conducted, or is currently conducting, that demonstrates your ability to undertake the proposed project activities.

• A summary of relevant experience of team members with key responsibilities for implementing the project.

Project Evaluations: An applicant that proposes to use award funds to conduct project evaluations must follow the guidance on project evaluations.

Budget and Associated Documentation

Budget (15% of the application score) *Required*

Use the Budget Detail Worksheet (Web-Based Form) or Separate Attachment (attach file in JustGrants. Read information on budget preparation and JustGrants Application

Submission Training.

• List each cost needed to implement the project under the appropriate cost category.

• Clearly name and describe each cost.

• Show the computation of each cost (e.g., cost per unit, number of units, and total cost).

• Enter narrative, as needed, to explain the cost calculations and connection to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

• Include only costs that are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to implement the project. They must be allowable under the funding statute and agency requirements.1

Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): If the budget includes indirect costs calculated using a current, federally approved indirect cost rate, upload your indirect cost rate agreement. Read information about indirect costs.

• Consultant Rate (if applicable): Read information on limits to consultant rates and whether you need to request approval to exceed those limits.

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards

Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable): Read information on this limitation and to determine whether you need to submit a waiver.

1 See 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. Read information on unallowable costs that apply to all funding opportunities.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#project-evaluations https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#budget-prep https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/training-application-submission https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/training-application-submission https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#indirect-cost https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#consultant-rate-if-applicable https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#limitation-use-award https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#unallowable-uses-of-funds

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 12

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Supporting Documents

For each named partner involved in the project (whether as a subrecipient that will receive federal funds to carry out part of the federal award, or otherwise), applicants should include either a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a letter of intent that confirms the partner’s agreement to support the project through commitments of staff time, space, services, or other project needs, or include information in the narrative that confirms that each partner agrees to participate in the proposed project. MOUs or letters of intent demonstrate the commitment of partner organizations to participate in the project. An MOU is a formalized commitment of staff and/or resources that is signed by authorized representatives of both partner organizations. A letter of intent indicates the organizations’ intention to partner, but the details of the commitment have not been fully worked out and officially agreed to.

Each MOU should include the following:

• Purpose of the MOU.

• Names of the organizations involved in the agreement.

• What service(s) and other work will be performed under the agreement by what organization.

• Any budget information such as specific funds allocated to other partners and for the stated purpose.

• Duration of the agreement.

Read information on what to include in an MOU/letter of intent.

MOUs should be submitted as one separate attachment to the application. Unsigned draft MOUs may be submitted with the application, but you should describe in a cover page to the attachment why they are unsigned.

Additional Application Components

Attach these in JustGrants:

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable): Read information on whether you may need to submit a Tribal Authorizing Resolution.

• Timeline: Provide a timeline listing key activities and milestones, and the quarters during which they will take place.

Disclosures and Assurances

Read the disclosures and assurances and complete them in JustGrants:

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (if applicable)

• DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

• DOJ Certifications https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#memorandum-of-understanding-mou-and-supporting-documents https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#tribal-authorizing-resolution https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosures-and-assurances

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 13

• Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High-Risk Grantees (if applicable)

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit your application by the deadlines. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372

(Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) does not apply to this funding opportunity: read the Application Resource Guide for details. Read OJP’s policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disasters.

6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

The Application Resource Guide explains the responsiveness review, review criteria, and review and selection process, including risk review, and deciding official. Refer to the Application Contents List for all required application components and other basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review. The Proposal Narrative and Budget sections of this

NOFO indicates the weight of peer review criteria.

7. AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process.

8. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATION

Read the Application Resource Guide for more information about: standard award terms and conditions, administrative and national policy requirements, and post-award reporting requirements.

9. QUESTIONS?

NOFO Contact

Name: OJP Response Center

Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only)

Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov

Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday

SAM.gov Help Desk

Website: sam.gov/help

Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday (closed federal holidays) https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#guidance-for-specific-sf-424-fields https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#application-review-for-competitive-funding https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#federal-award-notices https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information mailto:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 14

Grants.gov Help Desk

Phone: 800-518-4726

Email: support@grants.gov

Website: grants.gov/support

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays)

JustGrants Help Desk

Phone: 833-872-5175

Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

Hours: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov