Grant Details

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states and units of local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.

JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, strategic planning, research and evaluation (including forensics), data collection, training, personnel, equipment, forensic laboratories, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems that will improve or enhance such areas as: 

• Law enforcement programs.
• Prosecution and court programs.
• Prevention and education programs.
• Corrections and community corrections programs.
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs.
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).
• Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams
• ?Implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives, including, but not limited to, mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts, and extreme risk protection order programs.  

In FY 2024, BJA will be focusing nationally on the following priority areas: 

• Prevention and Prosecution of Hate Crimes,
• Election Security,
• Enhancing Justice System Reform Strategies,
• Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities, and
• Violent Crime Reduction.

JAG funds awarded under this FY 2024 solicitation may also be used to: 

• Support reentry projects with the goal of improving outcomes for incarcerated individuals returning to the community from prison or jail.
• Support public defense systems, including the hiring and retention of attorneys.
• Support projects related to preventing, detecting, seizing, and/or stopping the presence and use of contraband cellphones within correctional facilities. This includes the purchasing of managed access systems and other mitigation technologies (as permitted by applicable law).
• Purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine detection equipment, including handheld instruments and training for law enforcement safety, as well as opioid reversal agents.
• Purchase drug-detection canines to combat the rise of drug trafficking, including that of methamphetamines.
• Support efforts to seal and expunge criminal history information in accordance with state laws and policies.
• Support efforts to attract and retain an inclusive, diverse, expert, and accountable law enforcement workforce that reflects the community it serves.
• Support virtual reality de-escalation training.
• Purchase humane remote restraint devices that enable law enforcement to restrain an uncooperative subject without inflicting pain.
• Purchase gunfire detection technology.
• Support implementation of Rapid DNA at the booking station to include assisting with the initial costs associated with updating criminal history systems, integration with booking station systems, and purchasing new technologies associated with Rapid DNA at the booking station
• Purchase an Electronic Tracing System (eTrace) 
• Purchase a NIBIN Enforcement Support System (NESS)

Additionally, JAG funds may be used for any purpose indicated here: https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/jag-use-of-funds.pdf