Project Grants

The State Justice Institute (SJI) Project Grants are the central funding mechanism for advancing innovations in the state judicial system across the United States. SJI was established by federal statute to award grants that improve the quality of justice in state courts. These Project Grants are a core offering and are intended to support initiatives that strengthen judicial administration through education, training, technical assistance, and demonstration projects. The emphasis is placed on replicable practices that can be shared across state and local court systems. Project Grants are open to a range of applicants, including state courts, local courts, national nonprofit organizations, and other entities authorized by SJI’s enabling legislation. The maximum funding amount varies depending on the applicant's category: state court and national nonprofit applicants may receive up to $300,000 for projects lasting up to 36 months, while local court applicants may receive up to $200,000 for projects with a maximum duration of 24 months. It’s important to note that funding cannot be used for basic court services or operations such as routine staff salaries, equipment maintenance, or software licensing. Additionally, funds may not be used for court construction, except under limited circumstances for temporary or demonstrative facility modifications. Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match for any SJI funding received. The cash match may be fulfilled by the applicant or through a third-party partnership. This requirement is strictly enforced and is an essential consideration for eligibility. Applications must be submitted through the online Grant Management System (GMS), and a Grant Application Guide is available to support applicants through the process. Selection criteria for Project Grants include several rigorous measures. These include the soundness of the proposed methodology, the demonstrated need for the project, evaluation design, organizational capacity, qualifications of key personnel, and potential long-term benefits. The budget must be reasonable, and the application must demonstrate cooperation from other relevant agencies. Special consideration may be given to projects that support both state and federal courts or help state courts implement federal mandates. Deadlines for Project Grant submissions align with the federal fiscal year quarters. Applications are due on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 each year. The SJI Board reviews submissions on a quarterly basis, aligning award decisions with federal appropriations cycles. If applicants have questions about the allowability of costs such as meals or refreshments, they are strongly encouraged to contact SJI staff for clarification before applying, as these expenses typically require written pre-approval and are approved only in rare circumstances. For further assistance or inquiries, applicants may contact SJI via email at contact@sji.gov or by phone at 703-660-4979. The SJI headquarters is located at 12700 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 340, Fairfax, VA 22033. All awarded projects and grant management activities are tracked through the online GMS platform, where award winners are also documented. For example, in FY 2019, seven Project Grants were awarded totaling $337,756 in SJI funding with a combined cash match exceeding $375,000 from recipients such as the District of Columbia Courts and the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice.

Contact SJI in advance with questions on budget rules. Use GMS system for submission.