Justice Grants 2026

The FY2026 Justice Grants Consolidated Request for Applications (RFA) is administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) under the Executive Office of the Mayor, Government of the District of Columbia. OVSJG provides federal and local funding to initiatives targeting violent crime, public safety, and systemic justice reform. This consolidated grant program encompasses juvenile and criminal justice initiatives, supporting evidence-based programs that serve system-involved and at-risk populations throughout the District. The purpose of this grant is to fund services that support both juvenile and criminal justice-related outcomes. Juvenile justice funding targets delinquency prevention, restorative justice practices, support related to the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act (YRA), juvenile reentry services, and technology enhancements. It also supports legal services for older youth with special education needs who are charged as adults. The criminal justice funding is aimed at supporting reentry programs for returning citizens, direct client assistance via flexible funding, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), and implementation of the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) and Second Look Amendment Act. Funding sources for the FY2026 Justice Grants include local appropriations and federal sources such as the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Byrne Justice Assistance Grants and Project Safe Neighborhood programs, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Title II funds. The grant period spans from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. All grant expenditures must occur within this timeframe. Proposals must align with one or more program purpose areas, and applicants may submit multiple proposals for different initiatives. All applications must be submitted electronically via GovGrants by June 24, 2025. Eligible applicants include public or private nonprofit community-based organizations and for-profit organizations with a valid District business license. For-profit entities may not include profit in their budgets and may participate as subcontractors. Applications must include a comprehensive project narrative, budget, work plan, and various certifications and legal documents. Applicants must also be in compliance with DC tax and licensing regulations, and submit current audited financial statements. Applications are evaluated through a combination of internal and external peer reviews. Selection criteria include alignment with RFA priorities, data-informed design, use of evidence-based practices, trauma-informed and community-informed approaches, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. Successful applicants are required to provide quarterly programmatic and financial reports and must participate in performance tracking and data reporting as dictated by funding source requirements. Questions about the RFA must be submitted in writing by May 24, 2025, and answers will be posted publicly. For further information or questions regarding this RFA, inquiries can be sent via email to Ovsjg.RFAquestions@dc.gov. Additionally, a pre-bidder webinar will be announced on the OVSJG website. The final award notifications will be communicated within fifteen business days of the award decision.