BJA FY 2026 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- O-BJA-2026-172775
- Agency
-
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $600,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- OJP Response Center ojp.responsecenter@usdoj.gov (800) 851-3420
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is soliciting applications for the FY 2026 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program, with SF-424 submission to Grants.gov due November 6, 2026 and full application submission to JustGrants due November 13, 2026. The opportunity funds legal assistance to tribal members, federally recognized Indian tribes, and tribal justice systems in rural and remote regions where legal services are sparse, with no cost-sharing requirement.
Three funding categories are available, each anticipating one award: Category 1 (Tribal Civil Legal Assistance) up to $600,000, Category 2 (Tribal Criminal Legal Assistance) up to $600,000, and Category 3 (Tribal Courts and Justice System Direct Support) up to $303,106. Total program funding is approximately $1,503,106. Categories 1 and 2 are open to non-profit entities under IRC Section 501(c)(3) that provide legal assistance services for Indian tribes, tribal members, or tribal justice systems pursuant to federal poverty guidelines. Category 3 is limited to national or regional membership organizations whose membership consists of judicial system personnel within tribal justice systems.
Awards are structured as grants or cooperative agreements with a 12-month period of performance beginning January 1, 2027. The proposal narrative is limited to 10 pages and will be scored on four sections with stated weights: Description of the Need (5%), Project Goals and Objectives (15%), Project Design and Implementation (35%), and Capabilities and Competencies (30%), with Budget comprising 15% of the score. Category 3 applicants must submit curriculum vitae and resumes of key personnel. All applicants must provide a timeline and Memorandum of Understanding with project partners.
Program priorities include veterans' clinics and legal assistance for Native American veterans, Missing Murdered and Indigenous People cases, Violence Against Women Act matters, and Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction.
The opportunity is authorized under Public Law 106-559, Title I and the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Assistance Listing 16.815).
Synopsis
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program. This opportunity will support legal assistance to eligible tribal members, federally recognized Indian tribes, and tribal justice systems that provide legal aid and indigent defense services to tribal communities located in rural and remote regions throughout the United States where legal services are sparse. This NOFO will also support specialized training and technical assistance (TTA) to grantees for the development, enrichment, and enhancement of tribal courts and justice system operations. This includes tribal and state joint jurisdiction; veterans' clinics and legal assistance for Native American veterans; Missing Murdered and Indigenous People; Violence Against Women Act; Tribal Law and Order Act; and Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction.
Eligibility
Categories 1 and 2: Non-profit entities, as defined under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, which provide legal assistance services for Indian tribes, members of Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems pursuant to federal poverty guidelines.; Category 3: national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership consists of judicial system personnel within tribal justice systems.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00294322.pdf | ||
| PKG00294323.pdf | ||
| PKG00294321.pdf |
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