Overview
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to states and units of local government. JAG funds awarded to a state (see e.g., FY 2021 solicitation) or local (se e.g., FY 2021 solicitation) may be used to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. In a June 29, 2021 letter to administrators, the BJA Acting Director explained that JAG funds can be used to combat the increase in hate crimes.
Match Requirements
None.
Potential Uses
In the 2021 Byrne JAG state formula solicitation BJA describes permissible uses of JAG funds: “In general, JAG funds awarded to a state under the FY 2021 program may be used to hire additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas:
- 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.
The description provides for additional uses including to “assist victims of crime.” Although JAG funds emphasize criminal justice, it is included in this database because it expressly allows for court funding and the civil needs of crime victims, reentry, as well as the courts’ related needs for technology.
CFDA
16.738
Administering Federal Agency
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Find Your State/Local Administrator
National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) has a directory of state administrators here.
Amount of Available Funding
To find state and local funding allocations go here.
More Information
To find examples of courts and/or their justice partners receiving these funds, click on the PDF.
Formula Grants
AmeriCorps State and National Grants
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AmeriCorps VISTA
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Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
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Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
JAG funds awarded to a state or local may be used to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education…
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
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Family Violence Prevention and Services Formula Grants (FVPSA)
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Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
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State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF)
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STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant
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Title IV-B – State Court Improvement Program (CIP)
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Title IV-D – Child Support and Establishment of Paternity
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Title IV-E – Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
The Federal Foster Care Program helps to provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children until the children are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families…
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grants
VOCA provides funding to groups and direct services for victims, such as domestic violence shelters, legal support, faith-based organizations, and child abuse organizations.
