FY 2026 Investigating and Prosecuting Sexual Assaults in Confinement Facilities Program
Opportunity number: O-BJA-2026-172674
Program owner: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance
Summary: Competitive federal grants supporting state, local, and tribal efforts to increase capacity to investigate and prosecute sexual assaults occurring in confinement facilities.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance will fund projects that improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults in confinement facilities. Permissible activities include establishing or enhancing specialized prosecution units, evidence collection and retention, victim and witness interviews, law-enforcement and prosecutor training, coordinated interagency responses, and investigative equipment such as security cameras.
Eligible applicants include specified state, local, and tribal governments, state and local prosecuting agencies, other units of local government, and publicly funded law-enforcement agencies. Applicants must complete an initial Grants.gov submission followed by the full JustGrants application.
Who is eligible?
Applicant types: State governments; county governments; city or township governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized tribes; state and local prosecuting agencies; other units of local government; and publicly funded law-enforcement agencies.
Eligible applicants are state governments, county governments, city or township governments, federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments, state and local prosecuting agencies, other units of local government, and publicly funded law-enforcement agencies. Prosecuting agencies include state, county, and municipal government offices authorized to prosecute criminal offenses. Publicly funded law-enforcement agencies are those funded by states, federally recognized tribes, or units of local government. Each applicant may submit only one application; project partners must be proposed as subrecipients rather than co-applicants.
What can the funding be used for?
Establishing or enhancing prosecution units for sexual assault; investigative and prosecutorial activities addressing sexual assault in confinement facilities; evidence collection and retention; victim and witness interviewing; training law enforcement, prosecutors, and partners; coordinated interagency responses such as sexual assault response teams in confinement facilities; and resources or equipment supporting effective investigations, including security cameras.
Restrictions
Out-of-scope activities include programs or activities that violate, promote, or facilitate violations of federal immigration law or impede its enforcement, and activities that violate applicable federal civil-rights or nondiscrimination law. Certain legal services for removable aliens or aliens otherwise unlawfully present are unallowable, except qualifying protection-order services for crime victims and immigration-related legal services expressly authorized or required by law or judicial ruling. General DOJ unallowable-cost rules also apply.
How to apply
Submit the SF-424 through Grants.gov by September 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, then submit the full application through JustGrants by September 30, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The NOFO directs applicants to begin the registration process by August 24, 2026, and complete SAM.gov registration or renewal no later than September 9, 2026. Each applicant may submit only one application.
Required materials
Required application components expressly identified by the NOFO are the SF-424 in Grants.gov and, in JustGrants, Standard Applicant Information, a proposal narrative, and a budget. Other listed application materials include a proposal abstract, the Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire, an Agency Funding Priorities Inventory for applicants seeking priority consideration, applicable budget or financial attachments, partner documentation, a timeline, applicable tribal authorization, disclosures, assurances, and certifications.
Program contact
OJP Response Center
[email protected]
800-851-3420
Official sources
- Office of Justice Programs checked September 2, 2026
Grant details can change. Confirm all requirements on the official source before applying.