OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply

- National Center For Missing &

Exploited Children - IAA USSS

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OJJDP-2026-172782

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: September 29, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET

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

OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply - National Center For Missing & Exploited Children–IAA USSS

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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?

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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 OJJDP FY 2026 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children–IAA USSS. This opportunity will support the

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which will continue to operate the

National Resource Center and Information Clearinghouse, whose goal is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation, find missing children, and provide technical assistance/training to victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.543

Statutory Authority Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 34-35; 28

USC § 530C

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-OJJDP-2026-172782

Expected Total Amount of Funding $6,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards 1

Award Type Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $6,000,000

Expected Award Period(s) 12 months starting on October 1, 2026

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Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date September 28, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Recommended beginning the process immediately.

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on September 29, 2026

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

Other: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

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

(match).

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 34-35; 28 USC § 530C

Agency Funding Priorities

In order to advance public safety and help meets its mission, OJP priorities include:

(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.

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 5 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: Consistent with 34 U.S.C. §11293(b), the goal of the National Resource

Center and Clearinghouse (NRCC), operated by the National Center for Missing &

Exploited Children (NCMEC) with these grant funds, is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation, find missing children, and provide technical assistance and training to victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them. The population served includes, but is not limited to, families, law enforcement, court system personnel, social services staff, childcare professionals, prosecutors, non-profit community agencies, and lawmakers.

• Objective: The primary objective of this program is to maintain, strengthen, and enhance the National Resource Center and Clearinghouse (NRCC), operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

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

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

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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:

• Operations Support Activity. Oversight for programs and services to support

NCMEC divisions, departments, and offices in efforts to provide assistance to families of missing and sexually exploited children and the professionals who investigate these cases.

• Operations Support Output Measure. Manage programs and services across all divisions in compliance with NCMEC’s mission and all regulations governing the organization involving missing and exploited children.

• Operations Support Outcome. Support the provision of programs and resources related to child sexual exploitation and missing-child episodes.

• Outreach and Prevention Activity. Outreach and prevention information about and resources for professionals and families, including diverse communities and high-risk areas for abduction and/or sexual exploitation of children.

• Outreach and Prevention Output Measures. Execution of the Take 25 campaign and similar initiatives to support child safety through communication with law enforcement, parents, guardians, etc. Host the educational NetSmartz website, which provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer both online and offline. Expand educational relationships with individuals, organizations, agencies, and educational systems.

• Outreach and Prevention Outcome. Increased awareness and usage of

NCMEC’s programs, services, and resources in communities throughout the

United States.

• Family Advocacy Activity. Provide technical assistance, local referral information, and emotional support to organizations, coalitions, and individuals addressing issues related to child sexual exploitation, including normalization, infant abduction, missing children, and child victims of sex trafficking. (This activity will be funded if cost savings are realized during the grant period.)

• Family Advocacy Output Measures. Facilitate and/or participate in collaborative activities with allied professionals convened to address issues related to child sexual exploitation, including normalization, infant abduction, missing children, https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 7 and child victims of sex trafficking involving those served/rescued through the

Innocence Lost National Initiative/Working Group, National Coalition to Prevent

Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation, and others. Coordinate with Exploited

Children Division (ECD) management to address compliance, program, and other issues related to the SAFEGUARD Project.

• Family Advocacy Outcomes. Case investigations, victim and community responses, and prevention efforts are assisted through the availability of additional research-based information. The Family Advocacy Division advances

NCMEC’s goals, objectives, and efforts within collaborative activities of allied professionals convened to address issues related to child sexual exploitation, including normalization, infant abduction, missing children, and child victims of sex trafficking. As a result of continued collaboration with the SAFEGUARD

Project, ECD management is better able to identify and respond to potential negative issues that may arise as a result of ECD staff members viewing objectionable materials on the job.

• Case Analysis/Sex Offender Tracking Activity/Attempted Abduction Activity.

Analysis and technical assistance to aid law enforcement in their apprehension of noncompliant registered sex offenders and conducting research and identifying trends in attempted abduction of children nationwide.

• Sex Offender Tracking/Attempted Abduction Output Measures. Determine and maintain a count of registered sex offenders by surveying the U.S. state/territorial registries. Assist state/local law enforcement agencies and regional/district

United States Marshals’ offices with analysis and technical assistance to aid in their apprehension of fugitive sex offenders in the United States. Identify local or national trends with attempted abductions.

• Sex Offender Tracking/Attempted Abduction Outcome. Fugitive sex offenders in the United States are identified and apprehended by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that receive NCMEC’s technical and analytical assistance.

Attempted abduction trends identified to assist law enforcement and families with investigations and prevention efforts.

• Technology Services Activity. Provide technology tools and support to NCMEC departments, units, and offices in efforts to provide services to families of missing and sexually exploited children and the professionals who investigate these cases.

• Technology Services Output Measures. Track the number of secure, authenticated Virtual Private Network connections made from external networks for system assessment of processing reports to law enforcement. Track the number of Electronic Service Providers’ authenticated sessions used in reporting to NCMEC’s CyberTipline. Provide technical assistance regarding CyberTipline support.

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• Technology Services Outcome. The timely receipt and processing of CyberTipline and Child Victim Identification Program reports related to child sexual exploitation are facilitated through the preservation of the security and integrity of NCMEC’s information technology network.

• Communications Activity. Provide public awareness and respond to information requests regarding the issue of missing and sexually exploited children, which advances the efforts made in investigations.

• Communications Output Measure. The media, the public, and private- and public-sector partners receive accurate information about the issues and trends related to missing and sexually exploited children, which advances the efforts made in investigations.

• Communications Outcome. Public understanding and support of NCMEC and the issues of missing and sexually exploited children are advanced through information dissemination by the Communications Department, which advances the efforts made in investigations.

• Forensic Activity. Assist law enforcement in their long-term missing child cases.

• Forensic Activity Output Measure. Provide age enhancements and forensic facial reconstructions.

• Forensic Activity Outcome. Law enforcement and other agencies receive additional tools to assist in the search for and recovery of long-term missing children.

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

OJJDP’s Performance Measurement page.

Substantial Involvement of Federal Agency: OJP expects to make some or all awards under this NOFO as cooperative agreements, which allows OJP to have substantial involvement in carrying out the project. Read the Application Resource

Guide for a discussion of this involvement and related award conditions.

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

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4. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Application Contents List

The table below lists the contents for your application. 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 Online Form

Step 2: JustGrants

Standard Applicant Information 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 (if applicable) Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

• Timeline

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

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• Position Descriptions

• Organizational Chart

Standard Applicant Information

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.

Proposal Narrative

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 20 pages including any tables, charts and graphs

Sections of the Proposal Narrative

The Proposal Narrative must include the four sections listed below.

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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1. Description of the Need: 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: 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: 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 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.

4. Capabilities and Competencies: 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.

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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

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).

• 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):

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.

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.

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://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#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.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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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:

• Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement (if applicable): Read information whether you may need to submit this statement.

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes (if applicable): Provide resumes of key personnel who will work on the proposed project, or a description of the experience and skills of key personnel necessary to implement the project.

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

• Position Descriptions: Include detailed descriptions of each position required for the project. Specify key responsibilities, necessary qualifications, and reporting relationships. Clarify whether the position is new or existing and its role in achieving project objectives.

• Organizational Chart: Provide a copy of the current organizational chart showing how the organization operates, including who manages the finances of the organization.

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 you 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.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#research-evaluation 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#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues

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6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

OJP will review applications to ensure the information presented is reasonable, understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the goals of the funding opportunity. In addition, OJP reviews invited applications for consistency with the invitation letter and invited applicant guidance. See the Application Resource Guide for information on the application review process, including risk review, and the deciding official.

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: Aquilah Munir

Phone: 202-812-6829

Email: Aquilah.Munir@usdoj.gov

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.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#programmatic-and-financial-review-criteria 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:Aquilah.Munir@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov