Welcome to the Funding Toolkit
For State Courts and Justice System Partners
The toolkit is designed to support local courts, state courts, and their justice system partners as they pursue federal and philanthropic funding opportunities. This toolkit includes resources that encompass the entire grant seeking, writing and management process, such as planning checklists, sample documents, frequently asked questions and fact sheets. Technical assistance is also available to courts to provide support and feedback during the grant writing and development process. Whether you are new to the grant process, have attempted unsuccessfully to write grants in the past, want to know about new funding opportunities, or are honing your grant skills, this toolkit is for you!
Special Announcement
On October 1, 2020, the State Justice Institute (SJI) launched the Grant Management System (GMS) to better serve applicants and grantees, and further improve the grant-making process. The GMS is an online, end-to-end system, that spans the entire grant lifecycle. The GMS provides applicants and grantees with the ability to apply for and manage grants, including fulfilling reporting requirements and requesting reimbursement of grant-funded activities.
Beginning in FY 2021, all new grant applications submissions must be submitted through the GMS. Users may access GMS at gms.sji.gov to create an account and begin new applications. Additional information is available here.
Discover virtual learning opportunities such as webinars and podcasts.
Review current and past funding opportunities along with other grant writing resources.
Grant experts answer frequently asked questions.
Latest Virtual Learning Opportunity

Court ₵ents Podcast
Formula (Block) Grant Opportunities for Courts
Karen Lash, Director of the Justice in Government Project at American University, discusses how court systems can apply for federal block/formula/open-end reimbursement funds, otherwise known as pass-through funds. She recommends accessing the Grants Matrix for detailed examples of potential funding opportunities.
Current Funding Opportunities
Below you will find funding opportunities that are currently available. As the due date for submission of an application passes, these funding opportunities, and their companion resources, will be moved to the Past Funding Opportunities. If you identify an opportunity of interest, please click on the link below to access the solicitation and associated templates you may use to prepare your application. Additional Supplemental Grant Writing Materials are also available to assist you in preparing your application.
FY 2021 Second Chance Act Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and their Minor Children
Grants.gov Deadline: March 05, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: March 19, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Reducing Risk for Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
Grants.gov Deadline: March 12, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: March 26, 2021 11:59 PM
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation
March 12, 2021
FY 2021 Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Grant Program
Letter of Intent: March 16, 2021
Grants.gov Deadline: March 29, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: March 31, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking
Grants.gov Deadline: March 29, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 12, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Preventing Trafficking of Girls
Grants.gov Deadline: March 29, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 12, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Enhancing Juvenile and Family Court Responses to Human Trafficking
Grants.gov Deadline: March 30, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 13, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Mentoring for Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction
Grants.gov Deadline: March 30, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 13, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
Grants.gov Deadline: March 31, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 14, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence
Grants.gov Deadline: April 5, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 19, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Smart Prosecution-Innovative Prosecution Solutions
Grants.gov Deadline: April 12, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 26, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
Grants.gov Deadline: April 13, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 27, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program
Grants.gov Deadline: April 13, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 27, 2021 11:59 PM
FY 2021 Smart Probation: Innovations in Supervision Initiative
Grants.gov Deadline: April 13, 2021 11:59 PM
Application JustGrants Deadline: April 27, 2021 11:59 PM
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SJI Funding Opportunities
The State Justice Institute (SJI) awards grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts, and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common issues faced by courts. State Courts and court-support organizations may apply for grants to conduct activities such as hiring expert consultants to address an issue, piloting demonstration projects, implementing or adapting curricula, or conducting educational and training programs.
Visit SJI’s Grants page to learn more about the types of grants available and how to apply.
Visit SJI’s Priority Investment Areas page to view major focus areas for SJI support.
Need Help?
Request assistance from a grant expert or ask us a question about the toolkit.
Virtual technical assistance (TA) is available for state and local courts. TA may include coaching calls, document reviews and answering targeted questions related to a grant opportunity, as well as other types of support.