BJA FY25 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is a federal initiative designed to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies. This grant program aims to enhance the capacity of these entities to effectively identify, investigate, prosecute, and prevent hate crimes. The BJA, a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), plays a pivotal role in supporting efforts that uphold civil rights, strengthen law enforcement, and address public safety challenges across the United States. This program is established under the statutory authority of 34 U.S.C. 30503 and is supported by federal appropriations through the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025. The program offers two distinct categories of funding. Category 1, City or County Demonstration Projects, targets individual jurisdictions and provides up to $300,000 over three years (maximum $100,000 annually) to support hate crime-related activities within a single jurisdiction. Category 2, State or Regional Initiatives, is designed for multi-jurisdictional efforts and allows awards of up to $3,000,000, calculated at $100,000 per jurisdiction (up to 10 jurisdictions) over a 36-month period. Funding can support a wide array of activities, including technical and forensic assistance, prosecutorial support, and the development of tools and training to improve hate crime response. Projects that address serial violent hate crime offenses are also eligible. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies, with tribal applicants required to be from federally recognized tribes that perform law enforcement functions. Applicants must also meet certain submission criteria, including the completion of a certification form by the chief executive officer for state or local government applicants. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions. While applicants may apply for multiple projects, each must be distinct, and only one entity may serve as the primary applicant, with others listed as subrecipients if applicable. Applications are submitted in two steps: an initial submission of the SF-424 form via Grants.gov by April 20, 2026, followed by a complete application submission through JustGrants by April 27, 2026. The application process involves multiple components, including a proposal narrative, budget detail form, MOUs or letters of intent from project partners, resumes of key personnel, and required federal disclosures. Applications must also address performance measures and include a detailed implementation timeline. Applications will undergo a multi-stage review process, including basic minimum requirement screening, peer review, and programmatic and financial review. Evaluation criteria include the clarity of problem identification, soundness of project design, organizational capacity, and budget reasonableness. Special priority consideration is given to projects aligned with federal law enforcement coordination, child protection, victim services, and compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 regarding immigration cooperation. However, activities that violate federal immigration laws or civil rights protections are strictly prohibited. Awards are anticipated to begin June 1, 2026, with performance periods lasting 36 months. Regular performance and financial reporting are required throughout the grant period, and compliance with all federal civil rights and financial management standards is mandatory. This grant opportunity is recurring, and the next cycle is expected to open in Spring 2027. For technical support, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center or dedicated service desks for Grants.gov, JustGrants, or SAM.gov registration support.

Addressing priority areas and compliance with immigration-related statutes may influence funding decisions; completeness of proposal and clarity of goals are critical.