OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

BJA FY 2026

Crisis Response

Training Program

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2026-172706

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: October 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: October 13, 2026, by 8:59 PM ET

BJA FY 2026 Crisis Response Training 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?

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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 FY 2026 Crisis Response

Training Program. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, and sheriffs’ offices in developing, implementing, or expanding crisis response training programs that enhance public safety, officer safety, and operational effectiveness by improving law enforcement responses to individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions (including mental health and substance use disorders), intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries.

This program will equip law enforcement and correctional officers with tactical skills and strategies, and technology to effectively address crisis situations and enhance public safety. Officers trained in crisis intervention techniques are better equipped to safely mitigate volatile situations involving individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, including those with I/DDs.

This NOFO includes two funding categories:

Category 1: Training Program for Law Enforcement Agencies

• Category 1 will provide funding to law enforcement agencies for training sworn law enforcement. This includes police departments, sheriff’s offices, field probation and parole officers, and campus police. Applicants may apply for funding to implement either or both of the following:

1. Crisis response and intervention training;

2. Virtual reality (VR) training systems designed for law enforcement that enable multiple participants to train simultaneously and integrate with existing programs.

Category 2: Training Program for Jails, Prisons, and Correctional

Agencies

• Category 2 will provide funding to jails, prisons, and correctional agencies, for training facility-based officers. This includes institutional probation and parole staff, sheriff’s office detention personnel, and officers in other correctional

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 4 facilities. Applicants may apply for funding to implement either or both of the following:

1. Crisis response and intervention training;

2. Correctional-specific VR training systems that allow multiple participants to train together in institutional settings.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.065

Statutory Authority Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 30, para. 1(C))

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172706

Competition ID Number Category 1, C-BJA-2026-00026-PROD: Training Program for Law Enforcement Agencies Category 2, C-BJA-2026-00027-PROD: Training Program for Jails, Prisons, and Correctional Agencies

Expected Total Amount of Funding Approximately $5,256,751

Anticipated Number of Awards Category 1: 4 Category 2: 4

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Category 1: Up to $650,000 Category 2: Up to $650,000

Expected Award Period(s) 36 months starting on January 1, 2027

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date August 25, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by September 5, 2026, and no later than September 21, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on October 5, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on October 13, 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

• Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Native American Tribal governments (other than federally recognized)

Educational Organizations

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

Other

• Units of local government

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education with on-campus police departments

• Public or state-controlled hospitals with on-campus police departments

State Government Entities

• For the purposes of this NOFO, “state” means any state of the United States, the

District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands.

“Other” Entities Definition

• 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 does not require cost sharing

(match).

Limit on Number of Applications: You may submit more than one application if each application proposes a different project. Each application should apply to only one category of the 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.

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

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3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 30, para. 1(C))

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; and

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

In addition, 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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 7 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: Improve effectiveness of crisis response skills among law enforcement and correctional officers, particularly for interactions with individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, I/DDs or physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries.

• Objective 1: Implement and enhance certified training programs and practices that increase knowledge of appropriate intervention strategies and improve skills during crisis situations.

• Objective 2: Enhance the strategic application of techniques to prevent crisis escalation through innovative training approaches and technologies, including VR scenario-based training.

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 the Program Goals and Objectives. Read information on performance reporting.

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

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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.

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)

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

• Timeline Attachment https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

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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 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:

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

o Tables, charts, and graphs included in the Proposal Narrative can be created in a legible font smaller than 12-point and will count toward the page limit.

• 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.

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 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.

• Applicants must use specific, current, local data to demonstrate the importance and necessity of the project in this section.

• Use measurable evidence such as rates of crisis incidents, mental health response data, local crime rates, or gaps in resources specific to your law enforcement agency, correctional agency or community.

• Applications relying solely on national or generalized statistics will not meet the requirements of this section.

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:

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

• 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 an applicant is proposing the use of VR technology, describe the platform and the accompanying evidence-based curriculum to be used, as well as outcome data to be collected to demonstrate its effectiveness and achievement of proposed outcomes.

• Describe the plan to provide fully immersive, multiparticipant technology to customize unique training scenarios.

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 application score) *Required*

• Use the Budget Detail Worksheet (Web-Based Form) 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).

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

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• 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.

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable): Applicants to this funding opportunity are not required to provide this disclosure.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Supporting Documents

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 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: Listing of key activities and milestones, and the months/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)

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#indirect-cost 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#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#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 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 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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• 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 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#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

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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