PKG00294361.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

SMART FY 2026 Support for

Adam Walsh Act Implementation

Grant Program

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-SMART-2026-172794

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit it in Grants.gov: November 25, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: December 9, 2026, by 8:59 p.m. ET

SMART FY 2026 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | SMART Office | 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 SMART FY2026 Support for

Adam Walsh Act (AWA) Implementation Grant Program. This opportunity will support jurisdictions to develop or maintain and enhance programs that implement Title I of the

Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, specifically Subtitle A, the Sex

Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

SORNA requires all jurisdictions to maintain a sex offender registry database and public registry website, and for sex offenders to register and maintain a current registration in each jurisdiction where the individual lives, works, or goes to school. SORNA also sets forth requirements detailing what jurisdictions must include in their sex offender registry databases and on their public registry websites, what information sex offenders and sex offender registries must provide, requires jurisdictions to participate in the Dru Sjodin National Sex

Offender Public Website (NSOPW.gov) and exchange interjurisdictional information, and requires registrants to provide advance notice when traveling internationally. For more information about SORNA’s requirements, applicants should review the National Guidelines for Sex Offender Registration and

Notification, the Supplemental Guidelines for Sex Offender Registration and

Notification, the Supplemental Guidelines for Juvenile Registration Under the Sex

Offender Registration and Notification Act, and the Attorney General Rules.

These, and other guidance documents, are available on the SMART Office website.

“Jurisdiction” is defined in SORNA as any state of the United States, the District of

Columbia, the principal U.S. territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes — to the extent provided by 34 U.S.C. § 20911(10) — that have elected to implement SORNA.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Applicants will be expected to utilize these funds to support the following activities:

• Improve the efficiency and strengthen the capacity of systems to respond to search requests from the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public https://www.nsopw.gov/ https://smart.ojp.gov/ https://smart.ojp.gov/

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Website (NSOPW.gov) including bandwidth enhancements, database optimization, architectural changes, and web services improvements.

• Improve sex offender information collection (including biometric data) by law enforcement and other agencies as well as methods of sharing that information within and between jurisdictions and federal agencies.

• Enhance registration verification strategies, collaborating with other jurisdictions and agencies on absconder investigations.

• Implement and enforce SORNA’s 21-day advance notice of international travel requirement.

• Address the jurisdiction’s most recent FBI Criminal Justice Information

Service (CJIS) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Audit findings related to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and verification of sex offender records to include correcting and improving programming issues within a registry’s framework of transmitting sex offender data to NSOR.

• Develop or improve collaboration with other organizations and entities within a state or territory, including Indian Tribes, victim services agencies, courts, probation offices, schools, and other relevant entities. An application to fund a collaborative approach or project must include supporting documentation from the included tribal organizations, where applicable, detailing how the collaboration will work. The application should also detail how such strategies will sustain and support the jurisdiction’s sex offender registration and notification program.

• Develop and conduct training, including officer safety training, for law enforcement and other criminal justice agency personnel responsible for sex offender registration, monitoring or management, community notification, or failure-to-register or absconder case investigations.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.750

Statutory Authority 34 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq.

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-SMART-2026-172794

Expected Total Amount of Funding $15,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards 50

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $400,000

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

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date October 9, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process as soon as possible and no later than November 11, 2026

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

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on December 9, 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 o State governments o Native American Tribal government entities (federally recognized) that are eligible per 34 U.S.C. § 20929 to carry out the functions of SORNA and have elected to do so.

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.

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

(match).

Limit on Number of Applications: You may submit only one application to this NOFO.

If you submit multiple applications, only the most recent system-validated version will be reviewed.

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

This program is authorized pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, 34 U.S.C. § 20901 et seq.

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:

• Directly supporting law enforcement operations (including immigration law enforcement operations);

• Combatting violent crime;

• Supporting services to American citizens;

• Protecting American children; and

• Supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.

Additional priority considerations are:

• Whether a jurisdiction has substantially implemented SORNA, as set forth in the

Adam Walsh Act.

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | SMART Office | 7 in the United States shall be unallowable costs for purposes of 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: To assist jurisdictions with their efforts to develop and/or enhance programs to implement the standards of SORNA.

• Objective 1: Increase the capacity and efficiency of the tools and technologies used to collect information on registered sex offenders and share the information with relevant jurisdictions, federal agencies and databases.

• Objective 2: Improve law enforcement collaboration among jurisdictions, including federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to effectively and consistently monitor, register, and track sex offenders.

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.

Note: Award recipients will be expected to promptly comply with requests from the

SMART Office for documentation regarding the jurisdiction’s efforts to implement or maintain SORNA standards. This may include documents related to substantial implementation of SORNA standards, documentation of continued SORNA implementation or requested information regarding the development of systems for the necessary transmission of registration information to federal databases or correction of errors regarding transmission of data.

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.

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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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

• FY 2026 AWA 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)

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding Attachment

Additional Application Components

• SORNA Reallocation Funding 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 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.

FY 2026 AWA Proposal Questionnaire *Required*

Complete the FY 2026 AWA Proposal Questionnaire in JustGrants. The response to each question should be no more than two paragraphs. The questions are:

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

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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What need, gap, or issue does your jurisdiction face in implementing SORNA or maintaining SORNA’s requirements and what is your strategy for addressing those challenges?

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

o If your jurisdiction has not yet implemented SORNA, what steps have been taken to assess your jurisdiction’s current sex offender registration and notification systems to identify gaps to be filled in order to implement SORNA standards?

• 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)?

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

o What activities will you conduct to achieve the proposed goals and objectives? For non-implemented jurisdictions, this should include information regarding the jurisdiction’s SORNA implementation plan.

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?

o If you are an applicant in a jurisdiction that has not implemented

SORNA, how will the proposed project move the jurisdiction closer to substantial implementation of SORNA?

o If you are an applicant in a jurisdiction that has substantially implemented SORNA, how will the proposed project/activities enhance ongoing SORNA implementation and help to sustain the efficacy and viability of the jurisdiction’s sex offender registration and notification program?

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | SMART Office | 11 o What is your ability 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?

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).

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

More information and guidance regarding your budget submission can be found here:

Open Funding Page

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 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://smart.ojp.gov/funding/current 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: Applicants to this funding opportunity are not required to provide this disclosure as it is not applicable.

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:

• SORNA Reallocation Funding: State and territory applicants that are penalized for failing to substantially implement SORNA standards and that have active

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) SORNA reallocation funding should describe how the proposed project complements the work that the jurisdiction is currently performing with reallocation funding.

Applicants should ensure that the proposed project involves activities that are separate from or that complement the tasks being performed with the SORNA reallocation funding to avoid receiving duplicate funds for the same activity.

Disclosures and Assurances Read the disclosures and assurances and complete them in JustGrants:

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (if applicable)

• DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

• DOJ Certifications

• Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High-Risk Grantees (if applicable)

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit your application by the deadlines. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs) does not apply to this funding opportunity: read the

Application Resource Guide for details. Read OJP’s policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disasters.

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#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

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 indicate the weight of technical 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: The SMART Office

Phone: 202-514-4689

Email: AskSMART@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#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:AskSMART@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov