Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: 2026 Eligibility, Funding & Application Guide

Introduction

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading source of flexible federal criminal justice funding for state, local, and tribal jurisdictions across the United States. Named after NYPD Officer Edward Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty in 1988, the program channels critical funding to agencies working to reduce crime, strengthen communities, and modernize justice systems.

The JAG program allows recipients to support a broad range of criminal justice activities, from law enforcement and courts to corrections, drug treatment, and technology improvements, addressing both longstanding and emerging public safety challenges.

This article focuses on FY 2026 guidance, using recent fiscal year cycles (FY 2023 through FY 2025) from BJA as a baseline for what agencies can expect in allocations, priorities, and reporting. The sections that follow provide additional information on eligibility, allocation formulas, deadlines, application steps, and tips for writing a strong JAG application that aligns with both local needs and federal priorities.

Key Takeaways

• The Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is formula-based, not competitive, and funded through annual congressional appropriations administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Allocations are based on population and violent crime data, not a competitive scoring process.
• In FY 2026, eligible applicants are states, eligible units of local government, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofits generally participate only as subrecipients under a government award.
• Common allowable uses include technology upgrades, body-worn cameras, crime analysis tools, officer training, mental health and crisis response programs, and community-based violence reduction initiatives.
• There is no match requirement for the JAG grant, making it one of the most accessible federal funding streams for justice agencies of all sizes.

What is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Program?

Background on the JAG Program

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program was authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, which provided the statutory framework for federal criminal justice assistance. The Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant program was formally established in 1988, named after 22-year-old NYPD Officer Edward Byrne, who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case. It was combined with the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) in 2005 to create the current JAG structure, making the application process simpler and broader in scope.

The core statutory purpose, 34 U.S.C. §§ 10151–10158, is to support state and local governments in preventing and controlling crime, improving the criminal justice system and enhancing public safety through flexible federal justice funding. 

Today, you may see the program referred to as the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program, Byrne JAG, or just the Justice Assistance Grant. They’re usually referring to the same thing.

Structure of the JAG Program

The program is administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), situated within the U.S. Department of Justice. BJA issues annual Byrne JAG solicitations, manages the application and award process, provides technical assistance, and oversees grantee compliance. It is the central point of contact for all applicants and award recipients.

In FY 2026, a total of $964 million is appropriated for JAG overall, subject to statutory set-asides. Byrne Justice Assistance Grants are formula-based. Allocations are based on population and violent crime statistics, not a competitive scoring process,  so resources go to the areas that need them most. This is different from purely competitive DOJ grant programs where applicants must outscore one another for limited awards. 

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Objectives

While Byrne JAG is broad in scope, BJA highlights certain recurring program objectives in recent Notices of Funding Opportunity. The JAG Program supports crime prevention and control activities across the entire justice system, so agencies have a lot of flexibility in how they use the funds.

Key objectives in recent years include:

• Public safety by reducing violent crime and serious and recidivist offending through evidence-based strategies.
• Modernization of justice system operations, including digital evidence systems, records management, security automation, data-driven policing, and technology sharing to improve crime data management systems.
• Collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, courts, corrections, behavioral health providers, and community partners, especially in areas like crisis response and reentry.
• Addressing emerging threats like gun violence, opioid and stimulant epidemics, and challenges to community trust in policing.
• Funding for crime prevention activities to allow local jurisdictions to pilot new approaches and scale what works.

The program’s flexibility is one of its greatest strengths. Because of this, each jurisdiction can direct funds to their biggest challenges.

Who is eligible for Byrne JAG funding in 2026?

Eligibility for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is defined in federal statute and explained annually in BJA’s JAG State and Local Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). Below is a breakdown by applicant type.

State Applicants

State-level eligibility is for State Administering Agencies (SAAs) designated by each governor, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Local Government Applicants

Eligible units of local government are cities, counties, townships, and other local jurisdictions listed each year in BJA’s JAG local award allocation tables. These tables are based on population data and violent crime statistics reported to the FBI. A city, county, or township in these tables can apply directly if its calculated allocation meets BJA’s minimum threshold.

Local agencies are eligible to receive direct funding if their allocation is $10,000 or more. Jurisdictions below this threshold can still access JAG funds through their state’s pass-through process.

Tribal Eligibility

Federally recognized tribes that perform law enforcement functions (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) are eligible for Byrne JAG funding. Some tribes may receive funds as subrecipients under a state’s Byrne JAG award, depending on the state’s subgrant process.

Not Directly Eligible

Nonprofits, community-based organizations, and private businesses can’t apply directly for formula JAG funding. However, these entities can participate as subrecipients or contractors under a state or local JAG award. This is often used for organizations providing reentry services, victim services, behavioral health services, and community violence intervention.

How Byrne JAG Funding Is Allocated

Congress sets an annual nationwide JAG appropriation each fiscal year, and BJA uses a statutory formula to allocate funding among state and local governments. Understanding this formula is important for agencies estimating their potential award amounts.

Formula Components

The main formula components include:

Factor	Description
State population share	Each state’s proportion of the national population
Violent crime statistics	Typically sourced from FBI Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)
Minimum award provisions	Ensures each state receives at least a base amount, regardless of population size

Funding allocations for JAG are based on local needs, with the formula weighting both demographic and crime data to direct resources where challenges are greatest.

The 60/40 Split

Approximately 60% of a state’s overall allocation is reserved for state-level programs, while about 40% is designated for eligible local jurisdictions. States have pass-through requirements to ensure that local communities receive their share of the funding.

Direct Awards vs. Pass-Through Funding

BJA issues direct awards to states (through SAAs) and to some large localities whose calculated allocation meets the direct-award threshold. State Administering Agencies distribute JAG funds to local communities based on a formula, meaning smaller local and tribal partners typically apply through their state’s subgrant process rather than directly to BJA.

The JAG Program provides seed money based on local needs, allowing state and local jurisdictions to address their most urgent criminal justice priorities with flexible, targeted investment.

Technical reports from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) provide detailed descriptions of the JAG formula calculation process. Agencies wanting a deeper understanding of how allocations are derived should consult the most recent available BJS report as a model for what to expect in 2026.

FY 2026 Byrne JAG Funding Priorities

While the statute defines broad purpose areas, each year BJA identifies focus areas and encourages applicants to align their Edward Byrne Memorial projects with national and state priorities. Agencies should read the current year’s NOFO to see where BJA is putting emphasis.

Major Program Areas

Funding supports law enforcement, drug treatment, crime prevention, and corrections and several other areas:

• Law enforcement: Community policing, intelligence-led policing, drug enforcement, task forces
• Prosecution and courts: Case management, prosecutorial technology, court efficiency initiatives
• Crime prevention and education: Youth programs, community engagement, public awareness campaigns, employment services
• Corrections and community corrections: Reentry services, supervision technology, alternatives to incarceration
• Drug treatment and enforcement: Substance abuse treatment, drug control initiatives, recovery support
• Planning, evaluation, and technology: Research, data analysis, strategic planning, information system upgrades
• Victim and witness programs: Assistance services for crime victims, witness protection, advocacy
• Mental health programs: Co-responder models with law enforcement and behavioral health professionals, behavioral health programs, crisis intervention teams

Recent NOFOs and projects have emphasized mental health and crisis intervention, reentry services, public safety technology, and community violence intervention (CVI) programs. Agencies should read the current year’s Byrne JAG State and Local NOFOs for any 2026 emphasis areas, including gun violence reduction and overdose prevention partnerships.

Allowable Uses of Byrne JAG Funds

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is flexible, but all expenditures must be within the statutory purpose areas and not be supplanted or be for prohibited uses. JAG funding is flexible to address various criminal justice needs, which is one of the program’s hallmarks.

Common allowable cost categories include:

• Personnel (i.e., officers, crime analysts, prosecutors, case managers, and civilian specialists)
• Equipment (i.e., vehicles, radios, mass communication tools, body-worn cameras, forensic tools, and security tools)
• Supplies (i.e., office materials, field supplies, and evidence collection kits)
• Contractual services (i.e., data system vendors, program evaluators, and consultants)
• Training (i.e., specialized law enforcement training, court staff training, and evidence-based practice implementation)
• Technical assistance (i.e., subject-matter expert consultations and peer-to-peer learning)
• Software and information systems (i.e., records management systems, computer-aided dispatch, crime mapping tools, and data dashboards)

JAG funds can be used to share technology and improve crime data management systems, so technology investments are a common and impactful use of the Justice Assistance Grant.

Frequently Funded Project Types

• Body-worn camera programs
• Crime analysis software and data platforms
• Officer wellness and resilience initiatives
• Digital evidence management systems
• Violence reduction strategies and problem-oriented policing
• Behavioral health partnerships and crisis response teams
• Pretrial services and risk/needs assessment tools
• Programs protecting crime victims and supporting witness cooperation

Investing in Omnilert’s Security Solutions with Byrne JAG Funds

Omnilert’s security solutions may be eligible for funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program when they support program objectives related to public safety technology and information systems. Agencies may use Byrne JAG funding for mass and emergency notification systems that enable rapid communication during critical incidents, improve situational awareness, and support coordinated emergency response. These systems can be used to send alerts to law enforcement, first responders, and community members.

Omnilert’s AI gun detection technology may also be eligible for funding under Byrne JAG categories such as equipment, software, information systems, and training, depending on the proposed project and applicable grant requirements. The technology can identify firearms within seconds of becoming visible, sending alerts to trained professionals for immediate verification and leading to potentially earlier detection and response capabilities. Deployments have been used by government entities and with coordination from police departments to help prevent criminal incidents and escalations involving guns at high-risk locations. 

Agencies seeking funding for AI gun detection should describe how the technology supports their public safety objectives, integrates with existing infrastructure, and addresses identified local needs. Grant applications should also demonstrate alignment with Byrne JAG program priorities and the requirements for the applicable funding cycle, including FY 2026 where relevant.

Omnilert’s Grant Assistance Program gives agencies a real partner in navigating the grant world. It helps teams spot the funding opportunities that fit their needs, understand what each application requires, and pull together the right details to support investments in public safety technology, including AI gun detection or emergency notification systems.

For agencies looking at Byrne JAG funding, this kind of support can make it easier to connect local safety priorities with eligible technology projects and build stronger, more compelling application narratives.

Prohibited and Restricted Uses

Certain expenditures are prohibited or severely limited by federal law and BJA policy. Applicants should review the latest JAG guidelines before finalizing their budget.

Common prohibitions include:

• Luxury items: Decorative furnishings, entertainment equipment, or items not related to the project
• Lobbying: Using federal funds to influence legislation or policymakers
• Land acquisition: Purchasing real property
• Construction: Projects over allowable renovation or expansion thresholds
• Militarized equipment: Certain categories of weaponry, armored vehicles, or surveillance tools may trigger additional review, special conditions, or civil rights impact assessments

Supplanting is not allowed. JAG funds must supplement existing resources, not replace state or local funds already budgeted for the same purpose. If an agency was already paying for a position or service with its own budget, it cannot shift that cost to JAG.

When preparing the budget narrative, clearly document how each proposed use complies with JAG guidance and does not fall under prohibited categories. This step alone can prevent delays and rejections.

FY 2026 Application Process

Every federal JAG application goes through a two-step process: Grants.gov registration and submission, then JustGrants application completion. Each step has its own deadline, and missing either one can disqualify an otherwise strong application.

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

First, review BJA’s annual state and local allocation tables to confirm your agency is an eligible unit of government or SAA. Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity, required for applications, to confirm program requirements and any changes from previous years.

Step 2: Register Required Federal Accounts

Applicants must register with the following databases:

• SAM.gov: System for Award Management (entity registration can take 2–4 weeks)
• Grants.gov: Federal grants submission portal
• JustGrants: DOJ’s grants management system for application completion and post-award management

Start these registrations early. Expired or incomplete registrations are one of the most common causes of missed deadlines.

Step 3: Complete Required Documentation

Prepare the full application package including:

• Project narrative describing activities, goals and alignment with JAG purpose areas
• Budget detail worksheet and budget narrative
• Project timeline and milestones
• Résumés or position descriptions for key personnel
• Required federal forms and certifications
• Letters of support or governing body notifications (if applicable)

Requirements may change. Public comments on the draft application are accepted as part of the governing body review process. Make sure your jurisdiction has completed any required public comment period before submission.

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL (if applicable) through Grants.gov by the federal deadline. Then complete all remaining application components in JustGrants by the later JustGrants deadline.

Step 5: Award Review and Notification

After submission, BJA reviews applications for completeness, compliance and alignment with program requirements. Award notifications usually follow within several months of the submission deadline.

Byrne JAG 2026 Deadlines and Timeline

Application dates vary by fiscal year. Applicants should rely on the current BJA State and Local JAG NOFOs rather than projected dates. Recent federal JAG cycles have generally opened in the spring, with Grants.gov and JustGrants deadlines occurring several weeks apart.

Some states have earlier internal deadlines for subgrant applications under their state JAG award. Local and tribal agencies should check their SAA calendars and pass-through schedules well in advance of federal deadlines, because missing a deadline by even one day can disqualify your agency.

Required Certifications and Compliance

In addition to program design, applicants must comply with many federal requirements across civil rights, financial management and performance measurement.

Civil Rights Obligations

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act compliance
• Nondiscrimination requirements for all federally funded activities
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) plans where applicable
• Accommodations for individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency

Financial Management Standards

2 C.F.R. Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements is mandatory. This includes:

• Internal controls and segregation of duties
• Single audit requirements for entities expending $1 million or more in federal funds annually
• Proper cost allocation methods and documentation

Performance Reporting

Grantees must submit performance metric reports through BJA’s performance measurement system, periodic Federal Financial Reports (SF-425), and any special conditions unique to the JAG program year. Evaluation of program outcomes is part of the grant lifecycle.

Environmental, Procurement and Record Retention

• Follow competitive procurement standards for all purchases
• Complete required environmental reviews when applicable
• Retain grant records for at least three years from submission

Common Reasons JAG Applications Are Rejected or Delayed

Many denials or delays are due to technical issues, not project quality. Early preparation is key. Here are the most common problems:

• Missed deadlines: Late Grants.gov or JustGrants submissions with no exceptions
• Incomplete applications: Missing signatures, required attachments, or governing body notifications
• Budget errors: Unallowable costs, math errors, or lack of clear linkage between budget items and project activities
• NOFO not addressed: Not explaining how the project meets JAG purpose areas, BJA priorities, or evidence-based practices
• Ineligible applicant: Applying as an entity not in BJA’s allocation tables or not designated as an SAA
• Incomplete certifications: Missing civil rights compliance or financial management assurances

Use BJA’s JAG FAQs and application checklists to verify all statutory and policy requirements are met before final submission. One missing form can undo months of work.

Tips for Writing a Strong Byrne JAG Application

The difference between a funded project and a missed opportunity often comes down to how well an applicant communicates its needs, plans and capacity. Here’s practical advice to help you.

Show Need

Use recent crime data, calls for service, community surveys, or documented system gaps to justify your project. Generic statements about rising crime are less persuasive than specific local data showing, for example, a 15% increase in aggravated assaults over 3 years or a documented shortage of crisis intervention resources.

Define Measurable Outcomes

Use specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) outcomes. Explain how your activities (outputs) will lead to public safety results. Instead of saying “reduce drug crimes,” say a target reduction percentage and timeframe to achieve it.

Build Partnerships

Show coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, corrections, behavioral health providers, community organizations, and victims’ services. Multi-agency collaboration is a hallmark of strong JAG applications and BJA expects applications to demonstrate real partnership, not siloed efforts.

Present a Real Budget

Tie each line item to your project strategy. Explain any leveraged resources, in-kind contributions, or long-term sustainability plans after the grant period ends. JA expects applicants to submit detailed, well-justified budgets that clearly support the proposed project and comply with federal cost principles.

Show Long-Term Sustainability

Describe how your agency will sustain effective activities beyond the JAG grant period. Whether through local budget commitments, integration into existing operations, or supplementary funding from other sources, a clear sustainability plan shows responsible stewardship.

Additional Information and Key Federal Resources

BJA and related agencies publish a wealth of information to help applicants and grantees navigate the Justice Assistance Grant program. Here are the most useful starting points:

• JAG Program Fact Sheet: A quick overview of program purpose, structure, and statutory authority available on BJA’s website
• JAG Program FAQs: The best source for answers on topics like governing body notification, public comment requirements, pass-through procedures and prohibited expenditures
• Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) technical reports: Detailed descriptions of JAG formula calculations for those who want to know how allocations are calculated each fiscal year* 
• State Administering Agency directories: State JAG strategic plans, current funding opportunities and public review documents
• FY 2026 JAG State and Local NOFOs: The official application documents with all requirements, deadlines and contact info for this cycle

Contact your SAA for state-specific questions. Contact BJA for federal program questions.

Conclusion

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program is the backbone of federal funding for state, local, and tribal public safety initiatives across the country. Its formula-based structure, flexibility in allowable uses, and no match requirement make it accessible to justice agencies of all sizes and types.

Understanding eligibility, allowable uses and compliance requirements before drafting a 2026 JAG application is not optional; it’s the difference between a funded project and a missed opportunity. Agencies should start early with SAM.gov registrations, stakeholder engagement, and local data collection so they can submit timely, well-documented proposals that align with community needs and federal priorities.

For the most current FY 2026 deadlines, allocation figures, and application instructions, visit the official BJA resources and your State Administering Agency. The contents of this guide are meant to prepare you for the process, but always confirm specifics in the current NOFO before submitting your application. Early preparation and research are the keys to a successful award.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions address practical issues not covered in the main guide, 2026 Byrne JAG implementation details. Exact dates, dollar amounts and some requirements can change annually, so use these FAQs as orientation and confirm specifics in the current JAG NOFOs