Description: 

Overview:

The U.S. Department Justice/Bureau of Justice Assitance is offering “Byrne Competitive Grants” opportunities. These competitive grants are also focused on ensuring job retention and creation. However, instead of providing grants based on a formula, BJA administers these funds based on a competitive application process. Applications are made directly to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Grant funds may be used to support projects, which improve the prevention, apprehension, prosecution,
adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of violent crime and drug offenders. Additionally, eradication projects, demand reduction and education projects, treatment projects, projects that target major drug offenders and violent crime reduction, and projects which improve the overall effectiveness of the criminal justice system are eligible for funding.

Program Purpose: 

The purpose of the Byrne/JAG Program is to assist state agencies, units of local government and not for profit agencies in obtaining seed funding for specific projects. This grant program provides funding for projects which assist local and state government agencies in their efforts to reduce violent crime and illegal drug activities, improve the criminal justice system and support local, state and national priorities. The projects should offer a high probability of improving the functioning of the criminal justice system. Federal funding is available for up to thirty-six (36) consecutive months with OCJP approval. The project should be created in such a manner that if successful can be replicated by other agencies. At the conclusion of the federal grant funding, the agency is expected to continue the project with regular budgeted funds.

Formula grant funds may be used to support projects that enforce state and local laws which establish offenses similar to offenses established in the Federal Controlled Substances Act, and to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders. Funds may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training and technical assistance to support more widespread prevention, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders who violate state and local laws.

Match:

Federal funds may be used to pay up to 75% of the cost of a project up to a 36 month total time period. The remaining non-federal share must be in cash from non-federal funds.

Program Priorities:

Tennessee has developed nine program areas through its comprehensive criminal justice planning. These program areas correlate to legislatively authorized purpose areas developed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne/JAG Memorial Grant Program. In order to most efficiently utilize resources available through other grants administered by OCJP, and address the most serious gaps and service needs identified in Tennessee’s criminal justice system. NOTE: Preference will be given to agencies who employ evidence-based programming in their grant project or who use best practices (as identified in research) in the implementation of their proposed project. The OCJP is accepting new applications for the 2010/2011 fiscal year in the following programs:

1. Pre-trial Service Delivery

2. Community Crime Prevention

3.Criminal Justice Professional Enhancement Training

4. Correctional Programming

5. Innovations in Criminal Investigations

Application Requirements:

The Fiscal Year 2010/2011 Edward Byrne/JAG Memorial Competitive Grant Application for Tennessee commences on March 17, 2010 with applications submitted via the online system to OCJP no later than Thursday, April 16, 2010 at 4:30 PM CST. Late applications will not be accepted.

The Office of Criminal Justice Programs will only accept applications for this grant electronically from our website. All other methods of applying for these funds must be approved by OCJP. No applications will be accepted prior to March 17th. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission. Incomplete applications will result in lowered scores and/or ineligibility.

For technical assistance contact one of the following:
David Lewis (615) 532-2988 or e mail at David.W.Lewis@tn.gov
Marie Crosson (615) 253-2037 or e mail at Marie.Crosson@tn.gov

OCJP will make all reasonable attempts to respond with an answer to questions within one business day of receiving the question at OCJP.

Grant Application Packet
Organization Information:
Organization: Bureau of Justice Assistance
Website: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/index.html

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Patricia Dishman
Contact Email: patricia.dishman@state.tn.us
Contact Phone: 615-741-8277

More Information: