Strategic Initiatives Grants

The Strategic Initiatives Grants (SIG) program, offered by the State Justice Institute (SJI), provides a flexible funding mechanism to address pressing national issues facing state courts. This program is designed to enable SJI and its grantees to rapidly respond to emerging challenges within the judicial system and develop innovative, actionable solutions. SJI utilizes its expertise, along with that of selected partners, to identify significant problems and support the development of impactful projects across the country. SIG represents a proactive approach to judicial reform, emphasizing timeliness, innovation, and systemic benefit. SIG grants can be awarded as either traditional grants or contractual services. The type of support is determined at the discretion of the SJI Board of Directors and staff, with a strong emphasis on targeted interventions that improve court operations or address national issues. Importantly, SJI mandates the submission of a concept paper before a full application is invited, allowing for preliminary vetting and alignment with institutional priorities. Applicants are encouraged to contact SJI in advance for feedback on this initial submission. Full applications are only accepted through SJI’s online Grant Management System (GMS), and detailed application guidance is available in the Grant Application Guide. Matching requirements vary by applicant type. State and local courts, as well as non-court units of government, are required to provide a one-to-one cash match for funding. In contrast, non-governmental and non-court organizations may be exempt from this requirement. This approach ensures that public sector entities maintain financial commitment while also opening the door for diverse partnerships with nonprofits and national organizations. Applications are evaluated based on a series of criteria, including the goals and objectives of the proposed project, the demonstrated need, the project's relevance to a national court issue, the degree of innovation, and the anticipated impact on the broader court community. SJI also considers the qualifications of consultants engaged in the project, the reasonableness of the proposed budget, and whether the initiative will benefit the federal judiciary or improve compliance with federal mandates. Additional considerations include geographic diversity and the availability of funding from other sources. SJI funds cannot be used to supplant existing state or local resources, nor can they be used for the construction of court facilities except in narrowly defined cases such as temporary facilities or remodeling for demonstration purposes. Commonly prohibited expenses include court staff salaries, basic equipment purchases, software licenses, and general supplies. Meals and refreshments are generally disallowed unless expressly approved in writing by SJI. Similarly, promotional items such as t-shirts, mugs, or gift cards are unallowable. The SIG program follows a quarterly application cycle aligned with the federal fiscal year. Deadlines for submission are November 1, February 1, May 1, and August 1. Applications are reviewed at the corresponding SJI Board meeting for each quarter. This schedule allows SJI to disburse funding promptly after receiving its Congressional allocation and ensures ongoing availability throughout the fiscal year. For more information or assistance with the application process, interested applicants can contact SJI 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.

Applicants are encouraged to contact SJI before submitting a concept paper.