BJA FY25 Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative

The Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, administers the Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative as part of its broader mission to support public safety, uphold the rule of law, and protect civil rights across the United States. This initiative is designed to address the unique challenges faced by rural jurisdictions, which often experience limited resources, staffing constraints, and geographic barriers that hinder their ability to effectively prevent and respond to violent crime. The program aligns with federal priorities to combat violent crime, support law enforcement operations, and improve outcomes for victims and communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen the capacity of rural law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices to implement targeted strategies that reduce violent crime. Applicants are expected to identify a specific violent crime challenge within their jurisdiction and propose a data-informed strategy to address it. The initiative encourages approaches such as technological enhancements, personnel and training improvements, data analytics, and collaborative regional strategies. These approaches are intended to improve operational efficiency, enhance officer safety, and enable proactive crime prevention through intelligence-led policing. Funding under this program may be used for a wide range of allowable activities, including acquisition of equipment and technology systems, hiring or training personnel, enhancing crime analysis capabilities, and implementing evidence-based policing strategies. However, funds may not be used for activities that violate federal immigration law, civil rights laws, or other federal requirements. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, making it more accessible to smaller jurisdictions with limited financial capacity. The anticipated period of performance for funded projects is 36 months, allowing sufficient time for planning, implementation, and evaluation. Eligible applicants include a broad set of government entities such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments, as well as federally recognized tribal governments and other units of local government. Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project will serve a rural area or community, as defined by federal statute. This requirement ensures that funding is directed toward jurisdictions with demonstrated need and limited access to resources. Applications may include partnerships with other agencies or organizations, but only one entity may serve as the primary applicant. The application process is conducted in two stages using federal systems. Applicants must first submit a Standard Form 424 through Grants.gov, followed by a full application package in JustGrants. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, financial management questionnaire, and supporting documentation such as certifications and memoranda of understanding. The proposal narrative must address key elements including the problem statement, project design, implementation plan, organizational capacity, data collection strategy, and sustainability plan. Applications are evaluated through a competitive peer review process based on criteria such as project design, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals. The timeline for this opportunity includes a release date of April 15, 2026, with the Grants.gov submission deadline on May 27, 2026, and the JustGrants deadline on June 3, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early to avoid delays. Award recipients will be required to submit regular financial and performance reports, including quarterly financial reports and semi-annual performance reports, as well as a final report at the conclusion of the project period. Deliverables include an action plan within six months of award and a final evaluation report demonstrating the impact on violent crime reduction. For assistance, applicants may contact the Office of Justice Programs Response Center via email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-851-3420. Additional technical support is available for Grants.gov and JustGrants systems. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in rural public safety, providing resources and guidance to help local agencies implement effective, data-driven strategies to reduce violent crime and improve community outcomes.

Use strong local data to justify need; align proposal with violent crime reduction strategies; clearly demonstrate implementation capacity and measurable outcomes