BJA FY 2026 Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is issuing a FY 2026 Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative grant to support law‑enforcement agencies and prosecutors in rural jurisdictions. The program seeks to fund projects that employ one or more of the following approaches: (1) personnel, tactics, training, and equipment upgrades (e.g., records‑management systems, vehicles, protective gear, additional staff); (2) technological enhancements such as hardware, software, communications, and intelligence‑center infrastructure; (3) data‑analytics and intelligence tools to identify hotspots and predict high‑risk times/locations; and (4) other innovative strategies aligned with DOJ priorities that demonstrably reduce violent crime. Up to $2.64 million in total funding is available, with no minimum award floor. The solicitation is open to a wide range of local government entities, including counties, cities, towns, special districts, and tribal governments. Applicants must submit a grant application by 11:59 PM EDT on Oct 30, 2026. Approximately 50 applications are expected. • Eligible applicants: state, county, city/township, special district, tribal (federally recognized and other) governments. • Funding instrument: Grant (CFDA 16.039 – Rural Violent Crime Initiative). • Maximum total award ceiling: $2,637,041 (distributed among multiple awards). • No cost‑sharing required. • Emphasis on measurable reductions in violent crime through personnel, technology, or analytics. • Application submitted electronically via the BJA portal; contact the OJP Response Center for assistance.