OJJDP FY25 Nonparticipating States: Connecticut, Texas, and Wyoming

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, has released a funding opportunity targeting local public and private non-profit agencies within Connecticut, Texas, and Wyoming. These three states have opted not to submit a state plan under the Title II Formula Grants program authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). As such, OJJDP is allocating their unclaimed state funds directly to eligible local agencies to ensure the ongoing implementation of JJDPA core requirements. These core activities include the deinstitutionalization of status offenders, the removal and separation of juveniles from adult inmates and facilities, and the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. The purpose of this grant program is to provide local jurisdictions in nonparticipating states with the resources needed to develop and implement juvenile justice system improvements. Eligible projects must align with the JJDPA core requirements and demonstrate collaboration with key partners in their jurisdiction, such as State Advisory Groups (SAGs), law enforcement, court systems, detention and corrections facilities, youth-serving organizations, and community-based service providers. This funding initiative emphasizes the need to assess existing resources, identify gaps, and create comprehensive strategies to improve outcomes for at-risk youth and those already in contact with the justice system. The total amount of funding available under this opportunity is $4,403,338, with award ceilings varying by state. Connecticut is allocated up to $731,260, Texas up to $1,045,806 (with potential for multiple awards), and Wyoming up to $570,000. The maximum period of performance for any award is 36 months, beginning on or after October 1, 2025. No matching funds are required for this opportunity. However, applicants are expected to propose a budget that is reasonable, manageable, and aligned with the scope of their project. The application process follows a two-step submission model. First, applicants must submit the SF-424 through Grants.gov by April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This is followed by submission of the full application in JustGrants by May 7, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To apply, applicants must be registered and active in SAM.gov and JustGrants. The full application includes several required components: a proposal abstract, a project narrative addressing need, goals, implementation, and capabilities, a detailed budget form, a plan for data collection and performance reporting, and various disclosures and certifications. Applications will undergo a two-phase review process. First, OJP will verify whether all basic minimum requirements are met, including submission of required components and eligibility compliance. Qualifying applications will then be evaluated for technical merit by peer reviewers based on the significance of the problem addressed, clarity and feasibility of project goals, alignment with NOFO objectives, organizational capacity, and budget appropriateness. Additional considerations in award decisions include geographic distribution, OJP priorities, and past performance. Award notifications are expected through JustGrants, and all awards are subject to DOJ terms, civil rights compliance, and financial reporting requirements. Successful applicants will be required to develop a Nonparticipating States Plan, a Monitoring Workplan, and submit both performance and financial reports. Performance measures will be defined by OJP, and grantees must collect and report data semi-annually. Projects may also be subject to evaluation by OJP to assess program impact. This grant is structured as a recurring opportunity, with applications anticipated annually based on nonparticipation status under the JJDPA.

Submit SF-424 early via Grants.gov; Adhere strictly to narrative formatting and application deadlines; Proposals must align with JJDPA core requirements; Collect and plan for performance data reporting