PKG00294259.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply

- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OJJDP-2026-172781

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: September 30, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET

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

OJJDP FY 2026 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 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 OJJDP FY 2026 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children program. This opportunity supports 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

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-OJJDP-2026-172781

Expected Total Amount of Funding $42,976,147

Anticipated Number of Awards 1

Award Type(s) Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $42,976,147

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 Recommend beginning the process immediately.

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026

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

Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 34-35.

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: The goal of this program is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization.

• Objective: Deliver specific products to serve law enforcement, broadcasters and media, transportation agencies, emergency management agencies, telecommunications/call centers, other public safety agencies, child protection organizations, and professionals dedicated to identifying and recovering endangered, missing, and abducted children.

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.

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

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Deliverables

Specific deliverables and activities to be conducted for this program include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate a national 24-hour, toll-free hotline by which individuals may report information regarding the location of any missing child and request information pertaining to procedures necessary to reunite the child with their parent.

• Coordinate the operation of the hotline with the operation of the national communications system (referred to in 34 U.S. Code § 11231).

• Operate the official national resource center and information clearinghouse for missing and exploited children.

• Provide to state and local governments, public and private nonprofit agencies, state and local educational agencies, and individuals, information regarding free or low-cost legal, food, lodging, and transportation services that are available for the benefit of missing and exploited children and their families; the existence and nature of programs being carried out by federal agencies to assist missing and exploited children and their families; and innovative and model programs, services, and legislation that benefit missing and exploited children.

• Coordinate public and private programs that locate, recover, or reunite missing children with their families.

• Provide technical assistance and training to families, law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, elements of the criminal justice system, nongovernmental agencies, local educational agencies, and the general public in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of cases involving missing and exploited children; respond to foster children missing from the state child welfare system in coordination with child welfare agencies and courts handling juvenile justice and dependency matters; and assist in the identification, location, and recovery of victims of, and children at risk for, child sex trafficking.

• Provide assistance to families, law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, nongovernmental agencies, child-serving professionals, and other individuals involved in the location and recovery of missing and abducted children nationally and, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, internationally.

• Provide support and technical assistance to child-serving professionals involved in helping to recover missing and exploited children by searching public records databases to help in the identification, location, and recovery of such children, and help in the location and identification of potential abductors and offenders.

• Provide forensic and direct onsite technical assistance and consultation to families, law enforcement agencies, child-serving professionals, and nongovernmental organizations in child abduction and exploitation cases, including facial reconstruction of skeletal remains and similar techniques to assist in the identification of unidentified deceased children.

• Provide training, technical assistance, and information to nongovernmental organizations relating to noncompliant sex offenders and to law enforcement agencies in identifying and locating such individuals.

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• Facilitate the deployment of the National Emergency Child Locator Center to assist in reuniting missing children with their families during periods of national disasters.

• Work with families, law enforcement agencies, electronic service providers, electronic payment service providers, technology companies, nongovernmental organizations, and others on methods to reduce the existence and distribution of online images and videos of sexually exploited children.

• Operate a tipline to provide to individuals and electronic service providers an effective means of reporting Internet-related and other instances of child sexual exploitation in the areas of possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child sex trafficking;

sex tourism involving children; extra-familial child sexual molestation; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child; misleading domain names; and misleading words or digital images on the Internet; and make reports received through the tipline available to the appropriate law enforcement agency for its review and potential investigation.

• Operate a child victim identification program to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying victims of child pornography and other sexual crimes to support the recovery of children from sexually exploitation situations.

• Use emerging technologies to provide additional outreach and educational materials in parents and families.

• Develop and disseminate programs and information to families, child-serving professionals, law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, schools, local educational agencies, child-serving organizations, and the general public on the prevention of child abduction and sexual exploitation; Internet safety, including tips for social media and cyberbullying; and sexting and sextortion.

• Provide technical assistance and training to local educational agencies, schools, state and local law enforcement agencies, individuals, and others nongovernmental organizations that assist with finding missing and abducted children and in identifying and recovering such children.

• Assist the efforts of law enforcement agencies in coordinating with child welfare agencies to respond to foster children missing from the state welfare system.

• Provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies and first responders in identifying, locating, and recovering victims of, and children at risk for, child sex trafficking.

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

Missing and Exploited Children Performance Measures.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/performance-measures/performance-measures-missing-and-exploited-children.pdf

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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.

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 Format

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 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#administrative https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#administrative https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

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Memorandum of Understanding (if applicable) Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

• Position descriptions

• Timeline

• Organizational chart

Attachment

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 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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• 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.

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.

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• 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

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

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

• 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.

Budget/Financial Attachments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• 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.

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: 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.

• Position descriptions: Provide position descriptions for positions supported under the grant.

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

• Organizational chart: Provide an organizational chart showing how the organization operates, including who manages the finances.

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) 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.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

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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.

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: James Antal

Phone: 202- 532-5957

Email: James.Antal@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) 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#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:James.Antal@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support

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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:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov