PKG00294331.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 02/28/2027

OJJDP FY 2026 Juvenile Justice System Enhancements

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OJJDP-2026-172742

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: November 16, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: November 23, 2026, by 8:59 p.m. ET https://Grants.gov

OJJDP FY 2026 Juvenile Justice System Enhancements

Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

6. Application Review Information

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements & Administration

9. Questions?

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 2

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 Juvenile Justice System Enhancements program. This opportunity will support states and localities to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of juvenile justice system operations by implementing targeted solutions to high-cost drivers of crime and improving youth outcomes. Applicants will identify specific challenges from across the juvenile justice system and prioritize/reprioritize allocation of scarce resources to support actionable and measurable solutions that prevent and respond to crime, address cost-drivers, and improve strategic and tactical system operations that improve youth outcomes.

Funds will be used to support projects that address one or more acute challenges as part of a strategic response to focus resources on the problems, people, and places most associated with crime and cost drivers. To address state and local needs, project focus areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Improving systems to better identify and address youth with mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, providing more effective treatment through coordination across agencies to better utilize resources, improve outcomes, and reduce recidivism.

• Improving data collection and case management systems to better align resources.

• Improving court processing and operations through data analysis, systems improvement, and training.

• Enhancing programming and services to meet the needs of young adults in the juvenile justice system including workforce development programming, housing support, and other skill development necessary to transition successfully to adulthood and back into the community.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 3

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.827

Statutory Authority Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 33.

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-OJJDP-2026-172742

Expected Total Amount of Funding $3,974,000

Anticipated Number of Awards 3

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $1,324,666

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

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date October 8, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by October 16, 2026, and no later than October 30, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on November 16, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on November 23, 2026

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

2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities

• State governments

• County governments

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

Limit on Number of Applications: An applicant may submit more than one application if each application proposes a different project in response to 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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 4 subrecipients rather than co-applicants. An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application. For additional information regarding subawards, see the Application Resource Guide.

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 33.

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.

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 5 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#information-proposed-subawards https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024 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 efficiency and cost-effectiveness of juvenile justice system operations by implementing targeted solutions to identified high-cost drivers of crime and other public safety and/or justice system challenges.

• Objective 1: Improve juvenile justice system operations and public safety through a reallocation of resources and alignment of policies and practices to support effective and measurable crime- and recidivism-reduction efforts and improved youth outcomes.

• Objective 2: Enhance coordinated crime reduction efforts through improved data sharing and analysis between/across key juvenile justice and related agencies.

Goal 2: Measure processes and outcomes to ensure solutions are effective, efficient, and sustainable.

• Objective 1: Conduct ongoing measurement and assessment of solutions/changes for continuous quality improvement.

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:

• Each funded program will be required to submit a detailed final report that documents the results of data analysis, intervention, outcomes, and lessons learned.

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.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 6 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

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

• Proposal Questionnaire *Required*

Online Form

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

Additional Application Components

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

• Letters of Support

• Timeline

Attachment

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 7 https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

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 Questionnaire *Required*

Complete the Proposal Questionnaire in JustGrants. The response to each question should be no more than 1 – 2 paragraphs. The questions are:

• Description of the Need (5% of application score):

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 8 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 o What is the need, gap, or issue to be addressed by the proposed project?

o What supporting information, data, or evidence demonstrates the need’s existence, size, and impact on the target population and community?

o How does the need relate to the purpose of the NOFO?

• Project Goals and Objectives (15% of application score):

o What are the project goals (goals are broad, visionary statements on what you hope to accomplish)?

o What are the project objectives (objectives are specific outcomes you plan to achieve through project activities)?

o How do your project goals and objectives relate to the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity?

• Project Design and Implementation (35% of application score):

o What activities will you conduct to achieve the proposed goals and objectives?

o How will you deliver or complete those activities?

o When will the activities take place?

o Who in your organization will staff the activities, including key staff?

o Who will participate in and benefit from the activity?

o What deliverables, reports, and other items will be produced as part of the project?

o 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. What will be their role in conducting project activities?

• Capabilities and Competencies (30% of application score):

o What is your capacity to deliver the proposed project and meet the post-award requirements, if funded?

o What projects or activities has your organization conducted, or is currently conducting, that demonstrate your ability to undertake the proposed project activities?

o What is the relevant experience of team members with key responsibilities for implementing the project?

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 9 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#project-evaluations https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#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).

• 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 request.

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable):

Applicants to this funding opportunity are not required to provide this disclosure.

Additional Application Components

Attach these in JustGrants:

• 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.

• Letters of Support: A letter of support is from an entity or individual that knows the applicant’s work. The letter tends to speak to the applicant’s capacity to implement their proposed project for the benefit of the community. It differs from an MOU in that the entity is not committing staff, services, or supplies to help the applicant implement the project. Applicants should include, for each named supporting entity, a signed letter of support that outlines the supporting entity’s reasons for supporting the project.

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.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 10 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.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

Each letter of support may include descriptions of the following:

o Relationship between the applicant entity and the supporting entity.

o Need for and benefits that would be gained from the project.

o Discuss past/current experiences in supporting youth and family partnerships.

o Applicant’s capacity to complete the proposed project.

Letters of support should be signed and submitted as one separate attachment to the application in JustGrants.

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

Disclosures and Assurances

Read the disclosures and assurances and complete them in JustGrants:

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (if applicable)

• DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

• DOJ Certifications

• 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 Questionnaire and Budget sections of this NOFO indicates the weight of technical review criteria.

7. AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 11 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 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

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)

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.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | 12 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information mailto:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov