Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, administered in South Carolina by the Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs (OHSJP) under the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, serves as the principal federal criminal justice funding resource for state and local governments. This program is structured to bolster the operations of the criminal justice system by supporting projects with a high likelihood of yielding improvements in key areas. The JAG program’s scope encompasses a broad range of eligible project types, including those focused on law enforcement, prosecution and courts, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment, planning and evaluation, crime victim services, mental health, and state crisis intervention proceedings such as drug or veterans courts. Eligible applicants include state agencies, units of local government such as counties and municipalities, tribal governments, and nonprofit agencies. Law enforcement agencies and municipal courts must apply through their parent governmental bodies, while regional or multijurisdictional entities must coordinate through a lead county. Key personnel such as a project director, financial officer, and authorized official must be identified in the application. Notably, police departments and sheriffs' offices are not eligible to apply directly, but may serve as implementing partners. Funding is offered on an annual basis, with the potential for up to three years of support for standard projects, and up to five years for narcotics or regional multijurisdictional task forces. All awards are contingent on satisfactory performance and available federal appropriations. Federal funds will cover up to 90% of total project costs, requiring a 10% non-federal cash match. Drug forfeiture funds and program income from previous grants may be used for this match, though the use of in-kind contributions is prohibited. Supplanting of existing funding is not allowed and will be subject to audit and compliance monitoring. Program expenditures must relate directly to criminal justice operations and are permitted for personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual services, training, and IT systems. However, funds may not be used for real estate, construction, luxury items, or certain enforcement tools such as ammunition or confidential informant payments. Specific guidelines also apply to projects involving drug laboratories, task forces, and technology initiatives. For instance, drug analysis labs must serve all local law enforcement at no cost, and tech projects must address data privacy and digital trust considerations. Applications are submitted via the IntelliGrants system by April 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration in IntelliGrants must be completed by March 20, 2026, for new agencies. All materials including letters of support and draft agreements for multijurisdictional projects should be uploaded during submission. Application components include program narrative, budget, performance indicators, evaluation strategy, and required attachments. Each project must demonstrate a defined problem, propose a SMART goal, and include clear objectives, performance metrics, and a feasible implementation plan. Funding decisions are expected by October 2026, with grant periods beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. Applicants will be notified in writing of approval or denial. The OHSJP will prioritize projects from jurisdictions that do not receive direct federal JAG allocations and emphasize support for initiatives in high-need areas with limited local resources. For program-related inquiries, contacts include Melissa Vail and Jennifer Sandidge of the OHSJP. Financial queries should be directed to the Grants Accounting team via the SCDPS.

Clearly define problems using local data; ensure objectives are measurable; upload required support docs