The OJJDP FY25 National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) grant opportunity seeks to strengthen youth mentoring programs across the nation by providing comprehensive training, resources, and technical assistance. The program is aimed at organizations working with at-risk and high-risk youth to reduce delinquency and improve life outcomes. Key activities include maintaining a robust online repository of resources, convening an expert research board, and delivering technical assistance to mentoring organizations.
The total funding available for this opportunity is $2,650,000, with one anticipated award for a 12-month period of performance beginning October 1, 2025. Applicants can submit budgets up to the full amount but must justify their requests in line with the proposed project scope. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities capable of meeting the program's objectives.
Key deliverables include hosting a new grantee orientation, convening an annual mentoring research symposium, enhancing the NMRC website, and developing technical assistance plans. Other activities involve delivering online and in-person training, creating evidence-based resources, and producing practitioner-focused articles and multimedia products. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their projects will integrate youth and family partnerships into their implementation strategies.
Applications are submitted through a two-step process via Grants.gov and JustGrants, with deadlines of March 3, 2025, and March 17, 2025, respectively. Required documents include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, and supporting attachments such as resumes of key personnel and organizational charts. Projects must comply with federal guidelines, including civil rights laws, financial management standards, and programmatic reporting requirements.
Evaluation of applications involves responsiveness screening, peer review, and additional programmatic and financial assessments. Key criteria include alignment with the program’s goals, the soundness of the project design, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Applicants will be notified of award decisions by September 30, 2025, and must comply with reporting and administrative requirements during the grant period.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and participate in the pre-application process, including consultations for registration and technical guidance. For further details and technical support, contact information for relevant service desks is provided in the funding announcement.
