ARRA-funded justice grants available
Of the $787 billion in federal aid included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) will distribute $2.76 billion through several grant programs. The largest program, OJP’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), will receive $2 billion from ARRA that will go to help local governments prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system. JAG funding is distributed according to a formula of population and crime statistics.
The Edward Byrne Competitive Grant Program will receive $225 million from ARRA, and local governments will have to submit competitive applications for those grants. Money from the program can be used to improve the capacity of local justice systems and for national efforts, such as training and technical assistance.
Other OJP programs receiving ARRA funding include Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs ($125 million), Assistance for Law Enforcement along the Southern Border and in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas ($40 million), and Grants for Victim Compensation and Assistance ($100 million). For information on applying for the grants, visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryact.html.