Curriculum Adaptation & Training Grant

The Curriculum Adaptation and Training Grant (CAT Grant) is a program administered by the State Justice Institute (SJI), a federally funded organization established to improve the quality of justice in state courts and foster innovative and efficient solutions to common challenges within the judiciary. SJI supports state and local courts, national judicial education organizations, and other related entities by providing targeted financial assistance to projects that enhance court operations and access to justice. The purpose of the CAT Grant is to assist courts or national court-related organizations in adapting, modifying, and implementing model curricula, training modules, or educational programs to better address local or state-specific judicial training needs. It also supports the training of instructors and pilot-testing of curricula to ensure they are effective, appropriate, and well-suited to the jurisdiction’s needs. Additionally, CAT Grants fund judicial branch education programs—whether led by internal staff or expert consultants—specifically aimed at preparing court personnel and judges to implement reforms, technological upgrades, or innovative practices recently adopted by the applicant court. The maximum award under the CAT Grant is $40,000, and the grant term may not exceed 12 months. Grant funds may not be used to cover salaries or benefits of full- or part-time court employees, nor can they be used to supplant existing state or local funding. Basic court services such as internet access, equipment, supplies, software, and personnel costs are ineligible unless explicitly approved. Prohibited items also include meals, refreshments, and trinkets unless prior written approval is obtained from SJI under rare circumstances. The matching requirement for this grant is 50% of the grant request, with at least 20% of that match in cash contributions. For instance, a $40,000 request would require a $20,000 match, of which a minimum of $4,000 must be cash. Applications must be submitted through SJI’s online Grant Management System (GMS). Guidance on preparing an application is available through the SJI Grant Application Guide. CAT Grant proposals are evaluated on multiple factors including the goals and objectives of the proposed project, the necessity of external funding, the qualifications of trainers, the likelihood of curriculum integration into ongoing education efforts, the use of technology or distance learning, and commitment to the project shown through support letters. Additional consideration is given to the applicant’s type (e.g., state or local court, national court organization), budget reasonableness, subject matter diversity, geographic balance, and potential benefits to federal courts or compliance with federal mandates. The application deadlines are fixed quarterly, corresponding to the federal fiscal year: November 1, February 1, May 1, and August 1. The SJI Board convenes quarterly to review applications and allocate funding based on congressional appropriations. While applications are reviewed quarterly, the structure is designed to allow timely distribution of funds aligned with the federal funding cycle. Prospective applicants are advised to contact SJI staff with any questions regarding eligible activities or budget items prior to submission. Examples of past CAT Grant recipients include the National Judicial College for their creation of online learning modules for judges, the National Association of Women Judges for judicial education programs focused on elder issues and opioid response, the Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts for statewide summits, and the New York State Unified Court System for faculty development workshops. These awardees demonstrate the program’s emphasis on enhancing judicial education, leveraging technology, and adapting existing training frameworks to evolving court needs.

Applicants are encouraged to consult with SJI staff to verify allowable costs before applying. Strong letters of support and integration with ongoing educational programs improve competitiveness.