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 to support hiring additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, 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
• ?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.  
• New in FY2025: Programs to purchase and operate unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) to benefit public safety.
• New in FY2025: Programs to purchase and operate counter-UAS systems (as defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) included on the list of technologies established by subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii) section 210G of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n(d)(2)(A)(iii)) to exercise the authority granted under subsection (a)(2) of such section.

In FY2025, BJA will be focusing nationally on the following areas of emphasis: 

• Combatting Violent Crime - JAG funds may be used to implement, enhance, or expand projects that combat violent crime. This should include directly supporting law enforcement operations. Specific activities could include addressing human trafficking of American citizens; dismantling criminal gangs, street crews, and drug networks, including drug manufacturing, dealing, and trafficking; and cracking down on the open use of illegal drugs.
• Immigration Enforcement - State and local agencies may use JAG funds to partner with federal law enforcement on immigration enforcement operations (e.g., information sharing, 287(g) partnerships, task forces, and honoring detainers), protecting critical infrastructures, and information/intelligence problems. 
• Safe Communities - JAG funds can be used to collaborate with federal law enforcement and task forces to address endemic vagrancy and encampments that create safe havens for drugs, crime, and human trafficking. Additionally, state and local agencies may use JAG funds to focus on improving public order and quality of life through enforcement and prosecution of nuisance abatement and blight including, among other things, petty larceny and criminal damage to property, as well as utilization of maximally flexible civil commitment, institutional treatment, and step-down treatment standards to address untreated mental health and substance use disorders.
• Safe Houses of Worship - State and local agencies may use JAG funds to respond to and deter threats to houses of worship and other religious institutions, including religious schools.