Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program

The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Grant Program for the Eastern District of Virginia is a federally funded initiative administered through a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). This program is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance efforts to reduce violent crime through collaborative and community-based approaches. As the designated State Administrative Agency, DCJS is responsible for coordinating and distributing PSN funding to eligible applicants within the Eastern District of Virginia to support initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety. The program targets gun violence, gang activity, and other forms of violent crime by supporting comprehensive strategies such as group violence intervention (GVI), enhanced firearm analysis, gang crime suppression, and violence prevention and reentry programming. Preferred funding areas include cities with high rates of violent crime, particularly Richmond, Newport News, and Norfolk, although all localities within the district are eligible for consideration. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative, evidence-based projects that align with the program’s objectives, even if they fall outside of the explicitly listed priority areas. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. While law enforcement agencies and public defender offices may not apply directly, they may serve as implementing agencies under a lead local government applicant. Multi-jurisdictional partnerships are allowed, provided that each entity involved submits a letter of consent, and a single applicant is designated to manage the grant. The grant offers a total funding pool of approximately $500,000. Individual awards may range from $25,000 to $200,000. The grant period is typically 12 months for programmatic initiatives and six months for equipment-only projects, with a possibility of a 24-month period depending on project needs. While continuation funding is not guaranteed, multi-year awards may be considered based on program performance and demonstrated need. Importantly, no matching funds are required for this opportunity. Applications must be submitted through the DCJS Online Grants Management System (OGMS) no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Paper or emailed submissions will not be accepted. Applications must include all required contacts, narrative responses, goals and objectives, and detailed budgets. Awards are contingent upon final approval from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and DCJS will notify successful applicants to submit additional materials for final consideration. Key contacts for this program include Tracy Matthews at DCJS and the OGMS support team for technical issues related to the application portal. Overall, the PSN Grant Program for the Eastern District of Virginia offers a targeted and strategic opportunity to address persistent violent crime challenges through coordinated local efforts backed by federal support.

Emphasize evidence-based strategies, need for multi-agency collaboration, and focus on reducing gun/gang violence in high-crime jurisdictions.