OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

BJA FY 2026 Public Safety and

Mental Health Initiative

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2026-172676

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: September 25, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET

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

BJA FY 2026 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative

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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?

Appendix 1

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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 FY2026 Public Safety and Mental

Health Initiative (PSMHI). This opportunity supports comprehensive service networks addressing untreated mental illness and substance use to reduce the burden of on law enforcement and the justice system; restore order in communities affected by homelessness, mental illness, and substance use; decrease recidivism; reduce crime; and improve overall public safety and restore confidence in public spaces.

This initiative supports coordinated, direct intervention efforts across public safety, justice, mental health, and substance use agencies to increase access to mental health and substance use treatment through civil commitment, institutional treatment, and step-down approaches from pre-arrest through reentry, using accountability measures that ensure compliance with treatment plans. This program moves beyond temporary interventions by supporting appropriate institutional care and civil commitment processes, when appropriate, for individuals unable to care for themselves.

Specifically, this NOFO provides funding to enhance an entity or network of entities providing services in three core areas:

(1) Crisis Stabilization Centers: 24/7 crisis receiving/drop-off centers with dedicated law enforcement access and protocols, no-refusal policies, and capacity for rapid assessment, stabilization, and civil commitment evaluations for individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others or demonstrate a grave disability.

(2) Treatment Services: Comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment, including clinically appropriate medications, therapy and counseling, overdose prevention, recovery support, extended observation beds for stabilization, medication bridging services, and reentry services. Programs must prioritize treatment approaches that demonstrably reduce homelessness.

(3) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems and Technology Modernization: Funding may be used to enhance EHR systems and other related technology (e.g., telehealth) in and across correctional and crisis to improve data collection, coordinated service provision, data sharing, and continuity of care during incarceration, prior to release, and through reentry in the community.

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The entity or network of entities must serve as an alternative to hospitals, jails, or street settings for crisis care and law enforcement drop-offs. Funded projects will establish protocols for managing frequent utilizers and formal transfer agreements for high-acuity individuals to prevent homelessness and ensure treatment compliance. See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.812, 16.745, and 16.838

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 90-351, Title I, Sec. 2991

(codified at 34 U.S.C. 10651); Department of

Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No.

119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 32, para. 14(B)); Pub. L.

No. 90-351, Title I, Part OO (codified at 34

U.S.C. 10751-10755) and Department of

Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No.

119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 32-33, para. 14(F))

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172676

Expected Total Amount of Funding Approximately $38,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards Approximately 13

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $3,000,000

Expected Award Period(s) 36 months starting on October 1, 2026

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date August 14, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by August 26, 2026, and no later than September 11, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on September 25, 2026

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

Anticipated Notification Date By September 30, 2026

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

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2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Native American Tribal governments (other than federally recognized)

Other

• Other units of local government

• Nonprofit or for-profit mental health agencies or other non-governmental applicants are eligible to apply only if they meet two requirements:

(1) The applicant is designated by the state mental health authority to provide services as a unit of the state or local government.

(2) The applicant should attach documentation to support this designation.

“Other” Entities Definition:

• Other Units of Local 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.

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement: This NOFO requires cost sharing (match). See Program

Description: Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement for details on the cost sharing (match) calculation and what types of contributions are acceptable. If your application does not include the required cost sharing, it will be deemed ineligible for funding.

Limit on Number of Applications: An applicant may submit only one application in response to this NOFO.

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. An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application.

Additional Eligibility Factors

Certifications: You must submit the following certifications. See Additional Application

Components for how to submit.

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

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• 8 U.S.C. 1373 Certification—In order to request a federal grant award under this program, an applicant that is a state or local government entity must submit a certification (using only the template provided in Appendix 1, entitled “Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government.”) Tribal government entities and educational organizations (e.g., public or state-controlled institutions of higher education) are not required to submit this certification. This certification is a basic minimum requirement of this funding opportunity, such that applications from applicants that are required to submit it and fail to do so, will be denied.

Also, such applicants should anticipate that awards to state or local government entities under this NOFO will include an award condition addressing compliance with 8 U.S.C.

1373.

Required Partnership: Applicants must demonstrate that at least one justice agency and one mental health agency will support the project through commitments of staff time, space, services, or other project needs described in an attached memorandum of understanding

(MOU) or letter of intent. Unsigned draft MOUs may be submitted at the time of application.

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 90-351, Title I, Sec. 2991 (codified at 34 U.S.C. 10651); Department of

Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 32, para. 14(B)); Pub.

L. No. 90-351, Title I, Part OO (codified at 34 U.S.C. 10751-10755) and Department of

Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 32-33, para. 14(F))

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;

(d) Protecting American children

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

(f) State/local law enforcement efforts that are coordinated with federal law enforcement efforts (including immigration law enforcement efforts)—at minimum as shown by—

a. compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which provides that state and local government entities may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, receiving from, 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#memorandum-of-understanding-mou-and-supporting-documents

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 7 maintaining, or exchanging information regarding citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other federal, state or local government entity; and

b. having in place a statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, or practice that is designed to ensure both—(A) that agents of the United States acting under color of federal law in fact are given access to any pertinent correctional facility for the purpose of permitting such agents to meet with individuals who are (or are believed by such agents to be) aliens and to inquire as to such individuals’ right to be or remain in the

United States; and (B) that, when any such facility receives from the

U.S. Department of Homeland Security a formal written request authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act that seeks advance notice of the scheduled release date and time for a particular alien in such facility, then such facility in fact will honor such request and (as early as practicable) provide the requested notice to such Department.

Priority consideration will also be given under this NOFO to applicants in states and units of local government that actively meet the below criteria, to the maximum extent permitted by law:

(i) Enforce prohibitions on open illicit drug use;

(ii) Enforce prohibitions on urban camping and loitering;

(iii) Enforce prohibitions on urban squatting;

(iv) Enforce, and where necessary, adopt, standards that address individuals who are a danger to themselves or others and suffer from serious mental illness or substance use disorder, or who are living on the streets and cannot care for themselves, through assisted outpatient treatment or by moving them into treatment centers or other appropriate facilities via civil commitment or other available means, to the maximum extent permitted by law; or

(v) For state applicants, substantially implement and comply with, to the extent required, the registration and notification obligations of the Sex Offender Registry and Notification Act, particularly in the case of registered sex offenders with no fixed address, including by adequately mapping and checking the location of homeless sex offenders.

Applicants seeking this additional priority consideration, should complete the Agency Funding

Priorities Inventory—Ending Crime and Disorder in JustGrants to indicate which criteria they are actively meeting.

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

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

Refer to 34 U.S.C. Subtitle I, Chap. 101, Subch. XXXIII — “Adult and Juvenile Collaboration

Program Grants” for additional statutory priority considerations.

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.

Goals and Objectives of This Funding Opportunity

Goal 1: Establish or enhance cross-system collaboration to address untreated mental illness and substance use disorders that contribute to public disorder and homelessness.

• Objective 1: Develop or enhance Crisis Stabilization Centers with dedicated law enforcement drop-off capacity and civil commitment evaluation capabilities.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title34-chapter101-subchapter33&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title34-chapter101-subchapter33&edition=prelim https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024

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• Objective 2: Increase access to mental health and substance use treatment with crisis intervention services and appropriate institutional care options for those who are a risk to themselves or others, who demonstrate a grave disability, and who are unable to care for themselves.

Goal 2: Reduce burden on law enforcement and jails through improved crisis response systems and appropriate civil commitment pathways.

• Objective 1: Implement no-refusal policies and streamlined intake processes for law enforcement referrals with protocols to identify candidates who would benefit from civil commitment and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT).

• Objective 2: Develop agreements and protocols to ensure consistent processes for crisis response and reentry transition ensuring enforcement of public order laws and connection to institutional treatment.

• Objective 3: Train law enforcement officers, court personnel, and mental health providers on civil commitment and AOT laws, criteria, referral processes, and available resources to increase utilization.

Goal 3: Modernize EHR systems and related technology to improve data collection, data sharing, coordination, and accountability between justice and behavioral health systems.

• Objective 1: Enhance EHRs and related technology in correctional settings to improve care during incarceration, pre-release service planning, and treatment continuity through reentry, with appropriate data sharing between justice and behavioral health systems.

• Objective 2: Facilitate cross-agency collaboration to address vagrancy and homelessness and improve community safety.

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 will be expected to submit the following within one year of the award:

• An action plan that will inform collaborative, cross-system development of the project outlining implementation approach across all service areas.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme

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• A signed and executed memorandum of agreement or understanding detailing partnership structure and responsibilities.

Performance Reports

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

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

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirements

This funding opportunity requires cost sharing (match) from the award recipient. Read the DOJ

Grants Financial Guide for additional definitions and requirements of cost sharing (match), including the allowable sources of both in-kind and cash cost sharing.

Recipients must satisfy this cost sharing (match) requirement with cash and/or in-kind contributions.

Explanation of the Calculation

This funding opportunity requires an escalating percentage match based on the total project budget.

Project Year Match Requirement (%) Federal Share (%)

Years 1 & 2 (combined)* 20% 80%

Year 3 40% 60%

*The match may be distributed in any combination across Years 1 and 2, as long as the total combined match equals 20% of the total project cost for both years.

Additional Requirements:

• Applicants must clearly identify the source(s) of the non-federal match (20% and 40%) and how the match funds will be used.

• If the proposed match exceeds the required percentage and is approved by OJP, the full proposed match amount becomes part of the approved project budget and is subject to audit and compliance requirements.

Read the Application Resource Guide for steps on calculating the amount of match based on your budget.

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/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#12-0 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#12-0 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#calculating-match https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

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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 *Required* Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

• Timeline

• State Mental Health Authority Designation Letter (if applicable for non-governmental applicants)

*Required*

• Subrecipient and Contract Disclosure

• Research and Evaluation Independence and

Integrity Statement” (if applicable)

Attachment

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• Planning and Implementation Guide or Action Plan

(if applicable)

• Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government (if applicable)

*Required*

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.

• 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 two inventory question sets, entitled “Agency Funding Priorities Inventory” and 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

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“Agency Funding Priorities Inventory—Ending Crime and Disorder,” 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

If the Proposal Narrative does not follow this format, OJP may reduce the score/ranking of the application. Tables and charts such as project timelines and resumes may be submitted as separate attachments and will not count toward the 10-page limit.

Sections of the Proposal Narrative

The Proposal Narrative must include the five 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 brief explanation of the need, gap, or issue to be addressed by the proposed project.

• Supporting information, data, or evidence to demonstrate the need’s existence, size, and impact on the target population and community.

• How the need relates to the purpose of the NOFO.

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 activities you will conduct to achieve the proposed goals and objectives.

• How will your project enhance information sharing with courts and community supervision to improve coordination and accountability between justice and behavioral

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 14 health systems, enabling appropriate data sharing with law enforcement authorities as permitted by law.

• 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.

• 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.

• If applicable, how will this funding be coordinated with any existing federal support for behavioral health services.

• What strategies will be used to develop the required action plan and finalized MOU deliverable, including existing partnerships and coordination mechanisms. Within one year of award, grantees must submit both documents for BJA approval before full implementation. The action plan must demonstrate coordinated service readiness from prearrest through reentry, address individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who are a danger to themselves or others or unable to care for themselves on the streets, and detail enforcement of prohibitions on open illicit drug use and other public order violations.

4. Capabilities and Competencies (25% 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.

5. Plan for Sustainability (5% of application score): This plan should not assume that additional funding under this program is available after the award period, and it should identify state, local, or possibly private funding to ensure the program or technology continues.

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

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#project-evaluations

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Budget and Associated Documentation

Budget (15% of application score) *Required*

Use the Budget Detail Worksheet (Web-Based Form) or Separate Attachment (attach file in

JustGrants) to submit the budget. 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

The following information specific to this funding opportunity will help you develop your project budget:

• The applicant should identify within their budget which items, services, etc., will/would be covered by matching sources and explain what type of match will be provided.

• In addition to unallowable costs identified in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide award funds may not be used for the following:

o Prizes, rewards, entertainment, trinkets, or any other monetary incentives o Client stipends o Gift cards o Vehicle purchases o Food and beverages to include sustenance

• Costs Associated With a Conference/Meeting/Training: An applicant that proposes to use award funds for activities related to a conference, meeting, training, or similar event should review the Application Resource Guide for information on prior approval, planning, and reporting costs for a conference/meeting/training.

• Costs Associated With Language Assistance and Access: If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable in specific grant programs.

Costs to provide reasonable accommodation and facilitate language access for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may also be allowable in specific grant programs. See the Application Resource Guide for information on costs associated with language assistance.

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#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#prior-approval https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#prior-approval 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

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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.

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable): An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may be required to make certain disclosures relating to the processes it uses to determine the compensation of its officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. Read information about this disclosure and documentation to upload.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Supporting Documents *Required*

Attach a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of intent between the applicant and each of the project partner(s). Read information on what to include in an MOU/letter of intent.

MOUs or letters of intent should be submitted as one separate attachment to the application.

Unsigned draft MOUs or letters of intent 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.

• Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement (if applicable):

Read information whether you may need to submit this statement.

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

• State Mental Health Authority Designation Letter (if applicable) *Required*: To be eligible, when applying as “Other - Agencies with different legal status,” the applicant should attach documentation to support their designation as a state or local government provider.

• Subrecipient and Contract Disclosure: The applicant should include an attachment disclosing any proposed subrecipients and contracts.

• Planning and Implementation Guide or Action Plan (if applicable): Prior Justice and Mental Health Collaboration (JMHCP), Connect & Protect, and PSMHI awardees who are applying for FY 2026 funds to enhance or expand their programs and have already completed and received BJA approval of the required planning phase should attach the previously approved guide or plan with their initial application. Submission of a previously 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.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosure-process-executive https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosure-process-executive 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#research-evaluation

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 17 approved Planning and Implementation Guide or Action Plan will satisfy the action plan requirement.

• Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the

Applicant Government (if applicable) *Required*: In order to request a federal grant award under this program, an applicant that is a state or local government entity must submit a certification (using only the template provided in Appendix 1)

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

• 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.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosures-and-assurances 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#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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 18

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)

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:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 19

APPENDIX 1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or Senior Official) of the Applicant Government

On behalf of the applicant named below, and in support of its application, I certify under penalty of perjury to the Office of Justice Programs ("OJP"), U.S. Department of Justice

("USDOJ"), that all of the following are true and correct:

(1) I am the chief executive officer of the State or local government ("the jurisdiction") of which the applicant entity named below is a part (or a senior official of the jurisdiction, with the legal authority to bind the same), I have received appropriate legal advice as to this certification, and I have the authority to make this certification on my own behalf as chief executive officer (or senior official) and on behalf of the jurisdiction and the applicant entity. I understand that OJP will rely upon this certification as a material representation in any decision to make an award to the applicant entity.

(2) I have carefully reviewed (or have received pertinent legal advice concerning) 8

U.S.C. §§1373(a) & (b) and 1644, including the prohibitions on certain actions by

State and local government entities, agencies, and officials regarding information on citizenship and immigration status.

(3) I (and the applicant entity) understand that, for purposes of this certification, the term

"program or activity" means what it means under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of

1964 (see 42 U.S.C. § 2000d-4a), and that terms used in this certification that are defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101 mean what they mean under that section 1101, except that the term "State" also shall include American Samoa (cf. 42 U.S.C. § 901(a)(2)).

(4) I (and the applicant entity) assure that the applicant entity (and its officials and other personnel) will comply with 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644 in any "program or activity" receiving federal financial assistance under any award made by OJP pursuant to this application. I further certify that any subrecipient (at any tier) of such federal financial assistance (and its officials and other personnel) will also comply with 8 U.S.C. §§

1373 and 1644.

I acknowledge that a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement (or concealment or omission of a material fact) in this certification, or in the application that it supports, may be the subject of criminal prosecution (including under 34 U.S.C. § 10271 or under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 or

1621, and may subject me and the applicant entity to civil penalties and administrative remedies for false claims or otherwise (including under 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3730 and §§ 3801–3812). I also acknowledge that OJP awards, including certifications provided in connection with such awards, are subject to review by USDOJ, including by OJP and by the USDOJ Office of the

Inspector General.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 20

Signature of Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government Date of Certification

Printed Name of Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) Title of Chief Executive Officer

Name of Applicant Government Entity