U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal 

Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) 

Fiscal Year 2024 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

What’s new in 2024 

Applicants will complete the Inventory of Federal Priorities for Policing as a survey in Just Grants. The 

survey will help the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) evaluate the possibility for priority consideration, 

where appropriate, and identify potential gaps in training and technical assistance. 

The OJP Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire is required only for 

purpose areas #2–#9 and is included as a questionnaire that must be completed in JustGrants for those 

purpose areas. Please note that if you are applying for more than one purpose area that requires the 

questionnaire, you will only be required to fill it out once. 

The scope of BJA purpose area #4 has been expanded to include stick-built and pre-engineered steel 

buildings as allowable options to address physical infrastructure needs. 

OJJDP purpose area #8 is now called Youth Healing to Wellness Courts. 

OJJDP purpose area #9 has three categories that tribes can apply for in 2024: 

1. Seeding Change Planning Grant (Category 1). This category will support a dedicated planning 

period for tribes to develop strategies to improve or enhance tribal juvenile justice systems that 

include prevention, intervention, and treatment programs and services for youth. 

2. Cultivating Change Implementation Grant (Category 2). This category will support the 

implementation of a new Tribal Youth Program for tribes that are seeking funding to support 

programs, services, or system improvements. 

3. Harvesting Change Enhancement/Expansion Grant (Category 3). This category will support 

continuing, expanding, or enhancing a current OJJDP-funded Tribal Youth Program. 

1. What is the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation? 

The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) responds to tribal leaders’ requests to improve and 

simplify the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant-making process. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, DOJ has 

combined existing Tribal Government–specific competitive solicitations into one solicitation and 

required only one application from each tribe or tribal consortium under CTAS. This approach provides 

federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia the opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to 

public safety and victimization issues. The FY 2024 CTAS continues this approach. 

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As in prior years, the FY 2024 CTAS refers to the DOJ’s Tribal Government–specific competitive grant 

programs as purpose areas (PA). Applicants may select the PA(s) that best address tribes’ concerns 

related to public safety; criminal and juvenile justice; and the needs of victims of child abuse and 

neglect. 

In response to a single tribal or tribal consortium application requesting funds from multiple PAs, 

multiple awards may be made. PAs may be funded and administered by different DOJ program offices 

(see part C “Purpose Areas—Snapshot” in the FY 2024 CTAS, which identifies the DOJ program office 

that manages each PA). DOJ anticipates that awards will be managed by the awarding DOJ program 

office. 

This coordinated approach will apply only to requests for grant funding made in response to this 

solicitation, which is for FY 2024 grant funding, specifically for federally recognized tribes and tribal 

consortia. Tribes and tribal consortia may be eligible for and are encouraged to submit separate 

applications to any non–Tribal Government–specific DOJ grant programs for which they may be eligible. 

For information on additional funding sources, please go to https://www.grants.gov and the websites of 

individual federal agencies. 

The DOJ components offering Tribal Government–specific grant resources through the seven PAs 

identified in the FY 2024 CTAS are listed here. For more information on each component, please see 

www.justice.gov/tribal/. 

• Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) 

• Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA-OJP) 

• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC-OJP) 

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP-OJP) 

2. What are the CTAS purpose areas? 

DOJ’s Tribal Government–specific competitive grant programs outlined in the FY 2024 CTAS are referred 

to as purpose areas (PA). Applicants may apply for funding under the PA(s) presented here that best 

address tribes’ concerns related to public safety; criminal and juvenile justice; and the needs of victims 

and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Following is a list of the 

PAs. For detailed information for each PA, see the FY 2024 CTAS. 

1. Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS Office) 

2. Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning (BJA, COPS Office, OJJDP, and OVC) 

3. Tribal Justice Systems (BJA) 

4. Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program (BJA) 

5. N/A 

6. Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities (OVC) 

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7. N/A 

8. Youth Healing to Wellness Courts (OJJDP) 

9. Tribal Youth Program (OJJDP) 

3. Does this single application process apply only to federally recognized 

Tribal Governments? 

Yes. In general, only federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible to apply. Applicants are limited to 

federally recognized Indian tribes, as determined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and tribal 

consortia consisting of two or more federally recognized Indian tribes. Under the eligibility exception for 

PA 6, an organization acting as the authorized designee of a federally recognized Indian tribe may apply. 

However, applicants should also review the general eligibility exception relating to political subunits at 

question #23 on page 8 and the specific eligibility exceptions for PAs 1, 6, 8, and 9, which are set forth in 

the solicitation. To access a recently published list of federally recognized tribes, see the following 

Federal Register notice published January 12, 2023, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of 

the Interior: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-12/pdf/2023-00504.pdf. 

4. Does a tribe or tribal consortium have to submit an authorizing resolution? 

For FY 2024 CTAS, only tribal consortia applying on behalf of multiple tribes—and designees applying on 

behalf of a tribe, where allowable—will be asked to submit documentation reflective of their legal 

authority to apply for funds under CTAS on behalf of the designating tribe or tribes. 

Regarding a tribal consortium application, the applicant must submit documentation that the 

consortium has the authority to apply, as just described, on behalf of each tribal consortium member, 

unless existing consortium bylaws or other tribal governance documents allow action without explicit 

authorization from the member tribes in the consortium. In that case, a copy of the bylaws or other 

governance documents that allow the tribal consortium’s action without explicit support from all 

consortium members must be included with the application. This documentation must be current, must 

be sufficient to demonstrate authority for the application, must contain authorized signature(s), and 

must be submitted by the final application deadline, March 12, 2024. 

If the applicant is a tribal designee, it is eligible to apply only under PA 6, OVC Children’s Justice Act 

Partnerships for Indian Communities. For this purpose area, the applicant will need a tribal resolution 

or other satisfactory evidence of legal authority from the tribe as part of the application, which must (1) 

authorize the applicant to submit an application on behalf of the federally recognized Indian tribe and 

(2) state the tribe’s support for the project and its commitment to participate in the project if it is 

selected for funding. This resolution or other satisfactory evidence of legal authority must be current, 

must be sufficient to demonstrate authority for the application, must contain authorized signature(s), 

and must be submitted by the final application deadline, March 12, 2024. 

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5. What am I required to submit in the application? 

The “What an Application Should Include” section of the solicitation contains detailed information about 

the items that must be submitted in an application. See the FY 2024 CTAS solicitation for the application 

checklist and for a complete list of required and recommended attachments. 

6. May I apply for more than one purpose area? 

Yes. You may apply for as many purpose areas as needed (of those purpose areas for which you are 

eligible to apply). 

7. Are there specific requirements for each purpose area? 

Yes. See section of the FY 2024 CTAS, “Purpose Areas—Specific Information,” for information about the 

requirements specific to each purpose area. 

8. How long will the solicitation be open? 

The solicitation is open from December 12, 2023, until March 12, 2024. All applications are due by 8:59 

p.m. eastern time (ET) on March 12, 2024, in JustGrants. The solicitation has a two-step application 

process, which requires the submission of initial documents in Grants.gov by March 5, 2024. 

9. Why are there two different deadlines listed for the CTAS application? 

The CTAS application requires the submission of application materials in two different systems. The 

second step in the process is contingent on the first, so there are two different deadlines required. 

Step 1. Applicants will submit two forms, an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. Please note that to register in Grants.gov, applicants 

will need to obtain a S Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) 

registration or renewal. 

SAM.gov is a critical part of the funding process with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Prior to 

applying, applicants must first have an active SAM.gov account. 

There is no cost to register with SAM.gov; however, you must renew and revalidate your registration at 

least every 12 months from the date you last certified and submitted the registration in SAM.gov, and 

sooner if your entity’s information changes. If you do not renew your registration, it will expire. 

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On April 4, 2022, the General Services Administration (GSA) implemented a new process for validating 

an entity’s legal business name and physical address when requesting a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 

and for completing a SAM.gov entity registration. This entity validation process is required when any of 

the following is true: 

• An entity is registering for the first time. 

• A registered entity is updating their registration. 

• A registered entity has changed their legal business name or physical address. 

Because of a high volume of requests coming into SAM.gov, entity validations are taking longer than 

expected to process. DOJ strongly recommends starting your SAM.gov registration process as soon as 

possible to allow the time necessary to process entity validations well in advance of the Grants.gov 

due date posted in the solicitation. 

Step 2. Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at 

JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants final 

application deadline, which is March 12, 2024, at 8:59 p.m. ET. 

10. What are the amounts and time periods of the awards for each purpose 

area? 

All awards will be for either three or five years, except Category One in PA 9, which has a two-year 

project period. Please see the “Type, amount, and length of awards” chart in the solicitation. 

11. When will my tribe know if the application is selected for funding? 

We expect to notify applicants by October 1, 2024, if their applications were selected for funding. 

12. How do I determine who is the authorized representative for the 

application? 

For an applicant Indian tribe, the authorized representative is the principal official of the applicant tribe 

or a designated official, as determined by the applicant tribe, who has legal authority to enter into an 

agreement on behalf of the tribe and to legally bind the tribe to that agreement. For an applicant that is 

not an Indian tribe, such as an applicant to those PAs for which tribal designees may be eligible, the 

authorized representative is the individual (such as a chief executive officer of the applicant) who has 

legal authority to enter into an agreement on behalf of the applicant and to legally bind the applicant to 

that agreement. 

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Only one authorized representative can be named in the application. You can read about the JustGrants 

Roles on the Training: Entity Management website at 

https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh296/files/media/document/External-RolesInfographic.pdf. The Authorized Representative(s) must possess the legal authority to accept awards on 

behalf of their organization. For the COPS Office, the Entity Administrator assigns two Authorized 

Representatives to accept the award. 

13. Where can I find more information about the DOJ offices involved in CTAS? 

Information about the DOJ offices involved in CTAS is available online; you can find information about 

the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at https://www.ojp.gov/, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at 

https://bja.ojp.gov/, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) at 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) at https://ovc.ojp.gov/, and the Office of 

Juvenile and Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) at https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/. Information about 

the FY 2024 CTAS also can be found online at https://www.justice.gov/tribal. 

14. Whom do I contact if I need help? 

For more information, please refer to our Tribal Justice and Safety website: 

https://www.justice.gov/tribal. 

For assistance in submitting the two forms, SF-424 and SF-LLL, required in Grants.gov, please call the 

Grants.gov Help Desk at 800-518-4726. 

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in JustGrants, contact the JustGrants Service 

Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 7:00 a.m. 

to 9:00 p.m. ET Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal 

holidays. 

For programmatic and general assistance with the solicitation requirements, contact the DOJ Response 

Center at 800-421-6770 or by email at tribalgrants@usdoj.gov. The Response Center’s hours of 

operation are Monday–Friday (except U.S. Federal Government holidays; see 

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/) from 9:00 

a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. The DOJ Response Center and the Just Grants Service Desk will remain open on the 

solicitation closing date until 8:59 p.m. ET. 

15. May a tribe apply for funding both as part of a consortium and as an 

individual tribe? 

Yes. A tribe may apply as part of a consortium and submit its own independent application in response 

to the FY 2024 CTAS, provided that the tribe’s independent application seeks funding for activities that 

are distinct and separate from those activities for which the tribal consortium is seeking funding. For 

example, a tribe could apply under PA 3 as part of a consortium that is requesting funding for a drug and 

alcohol prevention project to serve all of the participating tribes. The same tribe could also apply 

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independently under PA 3 for funding for a drug and alcohol treatment program to serve court-involved 

individuals. Because the applications are requesting funding for distinct and separate projects, the tribe 

may submit both applications. 

16. For the Tribal Community and Justice Profile section of a consortium 

application, does the application need to address each member tribe 

specifically or should it address the consortium as a whole? 

The Tribal Community and Justice Profile for a consortium application should address the service area of 

the consortium as a whole. 

17. Is there a page limit on the number of other attachments? 

There is a 10-page limit for the Tribal Community and Justice Profile. The Program Narrative should not 

exceed 10–15 pages for each PA. There is no page limit for other attachments, but there is a size limit: 

No single attachment may exceed 20 megabytes. Note that Purpose Area Narrative template questions 

do not count toward the page limit. 

18. If we have a current grant under one of the purpose areas, are we eligible 

under that area? 

OVC’s PA 6 and OJJDP’s PA9 has specific restrictions on applications submitted by current grantees. See 

the specific purpose area requirements in the FY 2024 solicitation for information about these 

restrictions. Keep in mind that a tribe with current funds that are not expiring should not seek funding 

for a project that is already covered by existing funding. 

For PAs 1–4, all federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for FY 2024. However, a tribe with 

current funds that are not expiring should not seek funding for a project that is already covered by 

existing funding. A tribe with such current funds may seek funding to expand or enhance existing 

projects or to start a new project. 

19. If we apply for more than one purpose area, is it possible that only some 

purpose areas could get funded? Or is it that all or none will be funded? 

Each application responding to a PA will be reviewed individually by the DOJ component that manages 

that PA. Once all PA applications have been reviewed, the appropriate DOJ components will discuss their 

funding recommendations and coordinate in making award decisions—for example, to coordinate in 

making awards that address directly related needs. An applicant may therefore receive an award under 

one, some, or none of the PAs for which the applicant has applied. Applicants that receive multiple 

awards must maintain the grant funds separately and file all required reports for each grant awarded 

with the applicable DOJ component. 

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20. Can a tribe or a department of a tribe submit an application other than to 

the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation? 

Yes. The CTAS is a coordinated solicitation for certain Tribal Government–specific grant programs, but 

the DOJ administers many other grant programs for which tribes may be one of many eligible entities. 

Tribes or tribal consortia may submit applications for any other DOJ grant funding opportunity for which 

tribes are eligible. Please visit https://www.grants.gov/ on a regular basis for a listing of all funding 

opportunities. 

22. Are Alaska Native village corporations and regional corporations eligible to 

apply for the CTAS? 

Both regional and village corporations established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 

are eligible to apply for all purpose areas under the CTAS based on the following statutory definition of 

“Indian tribe,” which applies to all purpose areas: 

“Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, 

including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or 

established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. §§ 

1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by 

the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. [Emphasis added.] 

An ANC may also consider applying as a consortium (or a designee, where applicable). Question #5 on 

page 3 provides information about the documentation required from a consortium or designee 

applicant. 

23. Are political subunits of Indian Tribal Governments (e.g., tribally recognized 

chapters or individual reservation(s)) under a larger federally recognized 

tribe eligible to apply for funding? 

Yes, but under very limited circumstances and only with prior approval obtained from DOJ before the 

application deadline. Procedures and other information related to obtaining such approval follow. 

In general, only one application will be accepted from each tribe or tribal consortium. If a tribe or tribal 

consortium (including all agencies within that tribe or tribal consortium) submits more than one 

application, only one application will be considered in the review process. 

However, in addition to accepting an application from each individual tribe, the DOJ may accept a single 

application from a political subunit of a federally recognized Indian Tribal Government after DOJ review 

and approval of tribal documentation in support of the political subunit’s eligibility to submit a separate 

application for funding to serve citizens within that political subunit. 

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The DOJ will review the eligibility of a political subunit to submit an application (separately from the 

federally recognized Indian Tribal Government that includes such subunit, or the “parent tribe”) on a 

case-by-case basis. A political subunit of a federally recognized Indian Tribal Government seeking to 

apply under the FY 2024 CTAS must receive DOJ approval to apply prior to the application deadline. 

Procedure for submitting a request for eligibility review: 

To obtain DOJ approval to apply, a political subunit seeking to apply on its own must submit 

documentation that demonstrates the political subunit’s legal authority to submit its own application 

(separately from a parent tribe’s application). The political subunit seeking such approval must submit 

this documentation to the attention of Emily Gallas, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General 

Counsel, Office of Justice Programs, by email, fax, or expedited/overnight mail (use of mail service with 

package tracking capability is strongly encouraged) that must be received by OJP by no later than 8:59 

p.m. ET on February 20, 2024, for the political subunit’s request to receive DOJ review and 

consideration. 

(Please note: Potential applicants that are political subunits seeking approval to submit a CTAS 

application should still observe the date by which applicants are strongly encouraged to register in 

preparation for application submission. See section H of the solicitation, “How to Apply,” for more 

details regarding registration.) 

Address information for submission of request for eligibility review: 

Email: 

Emily.Gallas@usdoj.gov (email subject line should read: “CTAS Eligibility Review Request for [insert 

name of tribal political subunit]”) 

Fax: 

202-307-1419 

Expedited/overnight mail: 

Emily Gallas, Assistant General Counsel 

Office of the General Counsel 

Office of Justice Programs 

Rm 5400 

810 7th Street NW 

Washington, DC 20001 

24. Are the Demographic Questions scored? 

The demographic questions are required only for PA 1 applicants. For PA 1 applicants, the Demographic 

Form is scored based on the data included and is worth 5 points of the score. Where applicants are not 

able to provide specific data, the score will be determined by the applicant’s explanation for not being 

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able to provide the requested information. In accordance with TLOA’s mandate to consider crime data 

and staffing needs in COPS Office funding decisions, the COPS Office scores the Demographic Form 

partly for completeness and partly based on the crime data and staffing levels provided. PA 1 applicants 

answer the demographic questions directly in JustGrants. 

25. May an applicant request funding to host events or to provide food or 

beverage at events such as meetings, conferences, or trainings? 

Generally, funding may not be used to purchase food or beverages for any meeting, conference, 

training, or other event under any CTAS purpose area. Exceptions may be available in very rare 

circumstances with the approval of the awarding office. 

Applicants are encouraged to review the guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting that 

is available in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide on the OJP website at 

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm. This guidance sets out the current policy, which requires 

all funding recipients that propose to hold or sponsor conferences (including meetings, trainings, and 

other similar events) to minimize costs; requires review and prior written approval of most conference 

costs for cooperative agreement recipients (and certain costs for grant recipients); and generally 

prohibits the use of funding to provide food and beverages at conferences. The guidance also sets upper 

limits on many conference costs, including facility space, audio and visual services, logistical planning 

services, programmatic planning services, and food and beverages (in the rare cases where food and 

beverage costs are permitted at all). 

Prior review and approval of conference costs can take time (see the guidance for specific deadlines), 

and applicants should take this into account when submitting proposals. Applicants also should 

understand that conference cost limits may change and that they should check the guidance for updates 

before incurring such costs. 

DOJ may make exceptions to the general prohibition on using award funding for food and beverages but 

will do so only in rare cases where food and beverages are not otherwise available (e.g., in extremely 

remote areas); the size of the event and capacity of nearby food and beverage vendors would make it 

impractical to not provide food and beverages; or a special presentation at a conference requiring a 

plenary address where conference participants have no other time to obtain food and beverages. Any 

such exception requires prior written approval from the awarding agency. The restriction on food and 

beverages does not apply to water provided at no cost but does apply to all other refreshments, 

regardless of the size or nature of the meeting. In addition, this restriction does not affect direct 

payment of per diem amounts to individuals in a travel status under your organization’s travel policy. 

26. What is considered a good application? 

When planning and writing a grant application, it is important to remember that most applications are 

submitted in a highly competitive forum. No grant application is guaranteed to receive funding, because 

hundreds of grant applications may be submitted to compete for the funds. Given this fact, applicants 

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must view their grant application as a document with at least two goals: (1) to inform the reader of their 

plans and (2) to persuade the reader that their projects are worthy of funding. Samples of successful 

applications can be obtained at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations. 

27. What is the maximum consultant rate for each DOJ component involved 

with CTAS? 

The maximum daily consultant rate is $650. 

Compensation for individual consultant services procured under a CTAS award must be reasonable, 

allocable, and consistent with that paid for similar services in the marketplace. The recipient must 

provide justification for any consultant rate in excess of $650 per day and receive DOJ approval of that 

rate before drawing down funds. 

Note: Grantees must maintain documentation even for consultants below the rate. 

The documentation must show that whatever rate the consultant is paid is appropriate for the type of 

work performed, the consultant’s expertise, and prior work at that or a higher rate. 

28. Is there a required format for the project timeline and where can I find a 

sample? 

No, there is not a required format for the project timeline. A timeline template and a timeline sample 

can be found at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations. 

29. What is P25 Technology? 

Project 25 (P25) is the standard for the design and manufacture of interoperable digital two-way 

wireless communications products. Developed in North America with state, local, and federal 

representatives and under Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) governance, P25 has gained 

worldwide acceptance for public safety, security, public service, and commercial applications. In 

addition, P25 is a partnership between the public safety community and industry to develop a suite of 

open architecture standards for digital Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment, features, and interfaces. 

30. Why P25/what are the benefits? 

P25 is intended to benefit the public safety community by 

• improving radio spectrum resource use; 

• promoting marketplace competition for interoperable products; 

• enabling interoperable communications within and among public safety agencies; 

• providing backward compatibility; 

• establishing a staged migration path. 

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31. Where can I find more information on P25? 

For more information on P25, visit this link: https://www.cisa.gov/safecom/blog/2017/05/22/safecomguidance-frequently-asked-questions-understanding-p25-standards-and. 

32. Are there any standards of compliance if I am requesting emergency 

communications equipment? 

Recipients (and subrecipients) that are using program funds to support emergency communications 

activities should comply with the latest SAFECOM guidance, including provisions on technical standards 

that ensure and enhance interoperable communications. 

33. What happens if our tribe does not include a current federal approved 

indirect cost rate at the time of application? 

Indirect costs are generally allowed only if the applicant has a current federally approved indirect cost 

rate or if the applicant is eligible and elects to charge the de minimis indirect cost rate. 

Applicants with a current rate agreement at the time of application should upload a copy of the fully 

executed and approved Indirect Cost Negotiation Agreement to the application. As a condition of the 

fully executed Indirect Cost Negotiation Agreement, the applicant must apply the approved rate to the 

appropriate distribution base as listed in Section I: “Rate” of the Agreement. If the rate agreement is 

expired at the time of the application, then the applicant should be able to demonstrate that 

negotiations with their cognizant agency for a current rate are in progress. In cases where the rate has 

expired, upload a copy of the expired fully executed Indirect Cost Negotiation Agreement to the 

application. The indirect costs will be calculated and approved for budgetary purposes but will be place 

on hold until a current fully executed Indirect Cost Negotiation Agreement is submitted to the awarding 

agency. It is suggested that the applicant use the narrative portion of the Indirect Costs category on the 

budget detail worksheet to show the computation of the indirect cost distribution base and the total 

indirect costs. 

Applicants that do not have an approved indirect cost rate but wish to negotiate a rate may request one 

through their cognizant agency, or, if the applicant’s accounting system permits, costs may be allocated 

in the direct cost categories. (Applicant Indian Tribal Governments should review Appendix VII to Part 

200—States and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals regarding submission and 

documentation of indirect cost proposals.) 

Nonfederal entities that do not have a current negotiated or provisional) indirect cost rate may elect a 

flat rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC), as described in 2 C.F.R. 200.414(f), which 

may be used indefinitely. (See paragraph D.1.b. in Appendix VII to Part 200—States and Local 

Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals for a description of entities that may not be 

eligible to elect to use the de minimis rate.) To use the de minimis indirect rate an applicant would need 

to state this on the application that advises DOJ of both the applicant’s eligibility (to use the de minimis 

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rate) and its election. If the applicant elects the de minimis method, costs must be consistently charged 

as either indirect or direct costs but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. In 

addition, if this method is chosen then it must be used consistently for all federal awards until such time 

as the applicant entity chooses to negotiate a federally approved indirect cost rate. 

No documentation is required for the 10 percent flat rate. MTDC can include all direct salaries and 

wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of 

each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC 

excludes equipment, capital expenditures, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, 

participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may be 

excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs and with 

the approval of the cognizant federal agency for indirect costs. 

34. My tribe was awarded a grant under the Coordinated Tribal Assistance 

Solicitation (CTAS) last year (FY 2023); can I still apply for a grant under the 

CTAS this year (FY 2024)? 

Yes, with some exceptions: 

• CTAS FY 2022 and FY 2023 Children’s Justice Act (PA 6) awardees are not eligible to apply for the 

CTAS FY 2024 Children’s Justice Act program. 

• For FY 24, Purpose Area 9 has three categories that Tribes can apply for funding under. Please 

review the eligibility criteria laid out in the solicitation. 

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35. How many applications were received by purpose area in FY 2023 and how 

many awards were made by purpose area in FY 2023? 

FY 23 CTAS purpose area Number of 

applications 

received in FY 23 

(nonduplicated) 

Number of 

awardees 

in FY 23 

01-Public safety and community policing (COPS Office) 98 49 

02-Comprehensive Planning Demonstration program (BJA) 8 10 

03-Justice systems and alcohol and substance abuse (BJA) 66 38 

04-Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program (BJA) 30 10 

05-PA #5 is not included in CTAS this year. N/A N/A 

06-Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities (OVC) 21 11 

07-PA #7 is not included in CTAS this year. N/A N/A 

08-Juvenile Justice (OJJDP) 14 13 

09-Tribal Youth Program (OJJDP) 41 33 

36. What is the Inventory of Federal Priorities of Policing? 

The Inventory of Federal Priorities for Policing will help the DOJ evaluate the possibility for priority 

consideration, where appropriate, and identify potential gaps in training and technical assistance. 

Applicants will complete the inventory as a survey within JustGrants. 

37. What are the requirements of EO 12372, and which purpose areas do they 

apply to? 

Executive Order (EO) 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” requires applicants from 

state and local units of government or other organizations providing services within a state to submit a 

copy of the application to the state single point of contact (SPOC) if one exists and if the program has 

been selected for review. Applicants must contact their state SPOCs to determine whether their 

programs have been selected for state review. The applicant should enter the date that the application 

was sent to the SPOC or the reason such submission is not required in the section of the SF 424 that 

refers to EO 12372. For current list of SPOC, please see https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/06/SPOC-list-as-of-2023.pdf. 

This is applicable to PA 1 (Public Safety and Community Policing). 

38. Do I need to submit a separate SF 424 for each purpose area I am applying 

for this year in Grants.gov? 

No. Applicants submit only one SF 424 in Grants.gov. 

FY 2024 

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39. How do I answer the questions for boxes 15, 17, and 18 on the SF-424 in 

Grants.gov? 

For box 15, applicants enter a brief descriptive title of the project. For box 17, applicants enter the 

proposed start date and end date of the project. For box 18, applicants enter the amount requested. 

Grants.gov is not set up to handle multiple applications under one solicitation, so you enter a response 

to boxes 15, 17, and 18 of the SF-424 knowing it will not reflect every purpose area you might be 

applying for. You can include all of the purpose area information when you apply in JustGrants. 

40. Can a mandatory PL280 tribe that does not currently have a tribal justice 

system apply for the CTAS for purposes of developing a justice system? 

Yes, a “mandatory P.L. 280 tribe” that does not currently have a tribal justice system may apply for CTAS 

for purposes of developing “a justice system” to be operated consistent with applicable federal, state, or 

tribal law. 

An applicant tribe, in developing such an application, may wish to review carefully all CTAS PAs that the 

tribe may consider to be relevant, depending upon the applicant tribe’s particular priorities with respect 

to its FY 2024 CTAS application. For example, under PA 2, applicants may apply for funding to include, 

among other things (specified in the CTAS), the development of a justice systemwide strategic plan that 

identifies the priority needs facing the applicant’s justice system and outlines a strategy encompassing 

multiple justice system components. As another example, under PA 3, applicants may apply for funding 

to include, among other things (specified in the CTAS), planning new or enhancing existing tribal courts 

or alternative justice courts, diversion programs, and alternatives to incarceration. 

41. To what extent can the funds be combined with 638 compacts and 105(l) 

lease agreements? 

CTAS awards are issued as DOJ grants administered by the DOJ program office that manages the 

program under each respective CTAS PAs. Recipients of any DOJ grant award made under CTAS purpose 

areas (programs) will be expected to track, expend, and account for each DOJ grant award—including 

with respect to funds provided and activities and associated costs funded under each DOJ grant award— 

consistent with applicable federal law, specifically including the financial management, internal controls, 

and other provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (as adopted and implemented by DOJ in 2 C.F.R. Part 2800); the 

terms and conditions of the DOJ grant award; and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. 

An applicant tribe with “638” compacts, contracts, or agreements (see, for certain key definitions, 25 

U.S.C. 5304 and 25 U.S.C. 5361), or “105(l) lease agreements” (see 25 U.S.C. 5324(l)), will need to ensure 

that—if it receives a DOJ CTAS award—it has (or puts in place) appropriate financial management 

systems and internal controls to allow it to track and report on DOJ grant award funds and establish that 

the DOJ award funds have been used in accordance with Federal law and the DOJ grant award terms and 

conditions. See, e.g., 2 C.F.R. 200.302 and 2 C.F.R. 200.303. 

FY 2024 

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42. Is there a preference for state involvement in the application 

process/exercise of grant funds for mandatory PL280 tribes? 

Please see FAQ #37. 

The requirements of EO 12372 are applicable to PA 1. 

For PA 2 and PA 3, the tribe is welcome to include the state in their planning if they believe it would be 

valuable and encouraged to work with the state if they expect that lack of state involvement in the 

planning process is likely to hinder their ability to successfully implement the proposed project if an 

award is made. 

For PA 4, there is no mandatory state involvement requirement. However, we do encourage 

intergovernmental coordination where appropriate (e.g., transitional living to support community 

reintegration efforts). 

For PA 6, there is no mandatory state involvement requirement. The Purpose Area Specific Spotlight 

Resource document describes: “Project activities funded under the Children’s Justice Act (CJA) PA6 can 

provide trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approaches to the investigation, prosecution, and 

management of cases by improving coordination among tribal, state, and federal professionals.” 

For PA 8 and PA 9, there is no preference or mandatory state involvement in CTAS. It is up to the tribe to 

decide. 

43. What roles from the SF-424 submitted in Grants.gov automatically transfer 

to JustGrants? 

The individual identified in the “Name and Contact Information of Person to be Contacted on Matters 

Involving this Application” in Section 8.f of the SF-424 will be designated as the Application Submitter in 

JustGrants. This information in the SF-424 cannot be changed; however, the Entity Administrator can 

reassign the application submitter role to another user in JustGrants. 

44. Does the new recipient CTAS orientation satisfy the financial management 

training requirement for OJP recipients? 

No, attending the new recipient CTAS orientation does NOT satisfy the financial management training. 

OJP recipients are required to attend financial management training. 

The Grant Award Administrator and all Financial Managers for this award must have successfully 

completed an “OJP financial management and grant administration training” by 120 days after the date 

of the recipient’s acceptance of the award. 

FY 2024 

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In the event that either the Grant Award Administrator or a Financial Manager for this award changes 

during the period of performance, the new Grant Award Administrator or Financial Manager must have 

successfully completed an “OJP financial management and grant administration training” by 120 

calendar days after the date the Entity Administrator enters updated Grant Award Administrator or 

Financial Manager information in JustGrants. 

A list of OJP trainings that OJP will consider "OJP financial management and grant administration 

training" for purposes of this condition is available at https://onlinegfmt.training.ojp.gov/. All trainings 

that satisfy this condition include a session on grant fraud prevention and detection. 

The recipient should anticipate that OJP will immediately withhold (“freeze”) award funds if the 

recipient fails to comply with this condition. The recipient’s failure to comply also may lead OJP to 

impose additional appropriate conditions on this award. 

45. Is my tribe required to complete Financial Management Capabilities 

Questionnaire? 

The Financial Management Capabilities Questionnaire is only required for Purpose Areas 2-9 and is 

included as a questionnaire that must be completed in JustGrants for those Purpose Areas. Please note 

that if you are applying for more than one Purpose Area that requires the questionnaire, you will only be 

required to fill it out once. 

Questions related to procurement and training and technical assistance 

1. My agency currently receives a grant from DOJ. May I use grant funds to 

procure the services of a current DOJ-funded training and technical 

assistance (TTA) provider to assist my agency with the project 

implementation? 

The answer to this question will depend on the specific facts involved in each request. The DOJ will, 

therefore, make determinations regarding the propriety of entering into contractual agreements with 

DOJ-funded TTA providers on a case-by-case basis. When considering a grantee or recipient request, the 

DOJ will consider several factors. For example, in some instances, the TTA service(s) that your agency is 

seeking may be available at no charge to your agency, pursuant to an already existing agreement for a 

TTA provider to provide such implementation services. For this reason, please submit an official TTA 

request to your assigned grant or program manager before entering into a contractual agreement with a 

DOJ-funded TTA provider for project implementation assistance, and we will determine whether there is 

an appropriate mechanism for TTA delivery. 

Furthermore, in accordance with DOJ procurement rules and regulations, award recipients or 

subrecipients must conduct all procurement transactions in a manner providing full and open 

competition consistent with the Procurement Standards (see 2 CFR 200.317 to 2 CFR 200.327). This 

principle applies whether purchasing transactions are negotiated or competitively bid and without 

FY 2024 

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regard to dollar value. The DOJ will evaluate the request considering this basic principle. For example, 

recipients or subrecipients must exclude from bidding or proposal submission any entities that were 

involved in developing or drafting the specifications, requirements, statements of work, or requests for 

proposals for the recipient’s project in question. 

2. My agency is interested in applying for a DOJ grant. May I request the 

services of a DOJ-funded training and technical assistance (TTA) provider in 

writing my agency’s grant proposal? 

The DOJ’s procurement practices are consistent with the procurement rules and regulations for DOJ 

award recipients and subrecipients. The DOJ is committed to using fair and transparent processes for 

making grant award decisions and vendor selection. The DOJ wants to ensure that the award selection 

process is fair, transparent, and free of undue influence. Thus, the DOJ forbids applicants from using a 

DOJ-funded TTA provider staff to write grant applications fully or partially. DOJ-funded TTA providers 

generally do not have the resources to write grant applications fully or partially for all applicants 

interested in applying for selected solicitations. This would create an unfair advantage for any applicants 

that did receive grant writing services from a DOJ-funded TTA provider. Therefore, it is not a fair practice 

to write applications fully or partially for some but not all applicants that are applying under a 

solicitation. 

Although TTA providers may not assist in writing grant proposals, there are DOJ resources designed to 

assist applicants with grant writing. These resources are nationally publicized and available to all 

applicants. Please contact the appropriate grant solicitation point of contact for more information 

regarding these resources. DOJ grant regulations and policies are based on the procurement standards 

contained in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for 

Federal Awards set forth at 2 C.F.R. Part 200. These standards should be used in conjunction with the 

DOJ Grants Financial Guide. 

3. My agency is interested in applying for a DOJ grant. May I request technical 

assistance from a DOJ-funded training and technical assistance (TTA) 

provider to assist me with the competitive application process? 

Yes. Applicants may request and obtain technical assistance from a DOJ-funded TTA provider regarding 

topic areas, technical questions contained in the grant solicitation, or clarification in reference to 

application requirements. However, as explained earlier, DOJ-funded TTA providers are prohibited from 

fully or partially writing the grant application as a service to grant applicants. In addition, DOJ-funded 

TTA providers are prohibited from reviewing or providing comments on competitive grant applications. 

FY 2024 

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Questions related to the Application Process 

1. When should I submit my application in JustGrants? 

Applications are due by 8:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. You are urged to submit your 

application at least 72 hours prior to the application deadline. 

2. I do not have an Excel version or PC that supports the Excel Budget Detail 

and Narrative worksheet provided for CTAS applicants. What should I do? 

This document requires that macros be enabled to work properly, and it will only be fully functional with 

Excel 2007 or later versions. In addition, Excel 2008 version for Macintosh computers may not run the 

macros for the CTAS Budget Detail and Narrative worksheet. If you are in this situation, you are 

permitted to use other application software (e.g., Microsoft Word) to capture the budget detail and 

narrative information for your tribe’s grant application. You are not required to use the specific budget 

form, but you do need to capture the same information. 

Post-award 

1. What is the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward 

Reporting System? 

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires, among other things, 

that information on federal awards (federal financial assistance and expenditures) be made available to 

the public via a single, searchable website, which is https://www.usaspending.gov/. 

Applicants should anticipate that all recipients of awards of $30,000 or more under this solicitation, 

consistent with FFATA, will be required to report award information on any first-tier subawards totaling 

$30,000 or more and, in certain cases, to report information on the names and total compensation of 

the five most highly compensated executives of the recipient and first-tier subrecipients. 

The FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS), accessible via the Internet at https://www.fsrs.gov/, is 

the reporting tool recipients under this solicitation will use to capture and report subaward information 

and any executive compensation data required by FFATA. The subaward information entered in FSRS 

will then be displayed on https://www.usaspending.gov/ associated with the award, furthering federal 

spending transparency. 

Each applicant entity must ensure that it has the necessary processes and systems in place to comply 

with the applicable reporting requirements should it receive funding. Tribes without internet access for 

which this requirement would be problematic should contact the Response Center at 800-421-6770 or 

by email at tribalgrants@usdoj.gov to discuss alternatives. 

For additional information, you can review information in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. 

FY 2024 

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2. Now that the Central Contractor Registration is gone, what do I need to do? 

At the end of July 2012, the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system was taken offline. The CCR, 

along with federal agency registration, the Online Representations and Certifications Application 

(ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), were migrated into the new SAM system. 

SAM.gov is a critical part of the funding process with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Prior to 

applying, applicants must first have an active SAM.gov account. 

There is no cost to register with SAM.gov; however, you must renew and revalidate your registration at 

least every 12 months from the date you last certified and submitted the registration in SAM.gov, and 

sooner, if your entity’s information changes. If you do not renew your registration, it will expire. 

On April 4, 2022, the General Services Administration (GSA) implemented a new process for validating 

an entity’s legal business name and physical address when requesting a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 

and for completing a SAM.gov entity registration. This entity validation process is required when any of 

the following is true: 

• An entity is registering for the first time. 

• A registered entity is updating their registration. 

• A registered entity has changed their legal business name or physical address. 

Because of a high volume of requests coming into SAM.gov, entity validations are taking longer than 

expected to process. DOJ strongly recommends starting your SAM.gov registration process as soon as 

possible to allow the time necessary to process entity validations well in advance of the final 

Grants.gov due date posted in the solicitation. 

Purpose Area–Specific Questions 

Purpose Area #1 - Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS Office – Tribal 

Resources Grant Program-Hire and Tribal Resources Grant ProgramEquipment/Training) 

1. My tribe is considering applying for purpose area #1 funding. How can I tell if my agency is 

eligible to apply? 

Only federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments, as determined by the U.S. Secretary of the 

Interior, may apply. This includes Alaska Native villages and tribal consortia consisting of two or more 

federally recognized Indian tribes. 

FY 2024 

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2. What is considered primary law enforcement authority? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An agency with primary law enforcement authority is the agency that is the first responder to calls for 

service and has ultimate and final responsibility for the prevention, detection, or investigation of 

violations of criminal laws within its jurisdiction. Primary authority includes answering calls for service as 

a first responder which differentiates from agencies that only do criminal investigation type of work. 

3. What projects can be supported under purpose area #1? 

There are a variety of allowable costs tribes can request under PA 1. The COPS Office has provided a list 

(not exhaustive) of allowable and unallowable costs, which can be found at 

https://www.justice.gov/tribal and or https://cops.usdoj.gov. 

Under PA 1, applicants may request funding for full-time newly hired or rehired sworn career law 

enforcement officers, village public safety officers, tribal/village police officers, school resource officers, 

full time anti-methamphetamine and/or anti-opioid coordinator civilian positions, law enforcement 

equipment and technology, and law enforcement training, including the following: 

• Strategic planning. Strategic planning activities related to community policing. 

• Hiring. Approved entry-level salaries and approved fringe benefits of newly hired or rehired fulltime sworn career law enforcement officers, village public safety officers, tribal/village police 

officers, and school resource officers. 

Rehired officers include those who have already been laid off by your jurisdiction (at the time of 

application) as a result of state, local, or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) budget reductions and 

officers who are (at the time of application) currently scheduled to be laid off by your 

jurisdiction on a specific future date as a result of state, local, or BIA budget reductions. 

• Civilian. Approved salaries and fringe benefits for full-time methamphetamine and/or antiopioid coordinators. Civilian positions may be requested specifically to address 

methamphetamine and or opioid issues within the tribe. These are the only two allowable 

civilian positions under Purpose Area 1. 

• Equipment. Law enforcement equipment such as uniforms; bullet-proof vests; body-worn 

cameras; basic-issue equipment; police vehicles such as police cars, SUVs, ATVs, boats, etc. (as 

needed for law enforcement purposes); anti-methamphetamine and/or anti-opioid activities; 

technology such as computer hardware and software, mobile data terminals, narrow-band radio 

upgrades, and dispatch communication systems;. Applicants who do not already have an 

information gathering system compatible with the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system 

are encouraged to apply for funds to pay for National Incident-Based Reporting System 

(NIBRS)/UCR compliant crime data systems. 

• Training. Law enforcement training such as basic, comprehensive, or specialized police training 

at a state academy or the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, as well as community 

policing, computer, and crime reporting (e.g., NIBRS) training. This includes antimethamphetamine, anti-opioid, and anti–human trafficking training. Applicants must also 

FY 2024 

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budget travel costs for attendance at the required DOJ CTAS new awardee orientation training 

for two people (for budgeting purposes, please use Washington, D.C., as the location for this 

training). See the GSA website to determine allowable per diem travel costs: 

https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates. 

• Travel. Airfare, lodging, and mileage reimbursement for meeting or training costs related to 

purpose area activities, including costs associated with the DOJ-required CTAS new awardee 

orientation training. 

• Overtime. Overtime for sworn officers engaging in community policing related activities is an 

allowable cost; however, any overtime expenses requested for sworn officer positions must be 

listed in the “Other Costs” section of your application’s budget. Overtime expenses must exceed 

the expenditures that your agency is obligated or funded to pay in its current budget. Overtime 

requests are limited as follows: 

▪ Sworn force of fewer than 10: No more than $25,000 

▪ Sworn force of 10 to fewer than 20: No more than $50,000 

▪ Sworn force of 20+: No more than $75,000 

• Projects/Focuses. The COPS Office will provide additional consideration to applicants who 

identified Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and or Human Trafficking as a 

problem focus area in their PA #1 application. We define this focus as any effort, costs, etc. 

associated with human trafficking/MMIP prevention, investigation, etc. (training, officer salaries, 

etc.) that would warrant additional consideration. This includes officers requested to be part of 

cold case MMIP task forces or teams. 

4. What information must I include under the purpose area #1 narrative template? 

Using the PA 1 Template, applicants are required to provide information demonstrating how grant 

funding will be used to increase their involvement in community policing. Answers to the narrative 

questions in this section should be specifically linked to the community policing activities to be 

implemented or enhanced through the grant project. Note that template questions do not count 

towards the page limit. 

5. My Tribal Government has multiple components of law enforcement departments (e.g., 

Department of Public Safety and Fish and Wildlife Department) that we are including in our 

request under purpose area #1. Do we need to report cumulative full- and part-time budgeted 

sworn force strength numbers for all departments? 

Your application should report all cumulative full- and part-time budgeted sworn force strength 

numbers for all law enforcement departments in your tribe that would receive funding through this 

request if awarded. The total number of sworn law enforcement officers in your tribe includes all sworn 

officers in all law enforcement agencies your tribe may have (police department, fish and game, natural 

resources, etc.). 

FY 2024 

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6. How much funding is my tribe eligible to receive under purpose area #1? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because of the decreased funding amount available and increasing competitive nature of TRGP, the 

COPS Office will continue to impose caps on 2024 awards. Tribes with a sworn force of fewer than 10 

sworn officers are eligible for up to $600,000 in COPS Office awards; tribes with a sworn force of 10–19 

sworn officers are eligible for up to $700,000 in COPS Office awards; and tribes with a sworn force of 20 

or more officers are eligible for up to $900,000 in COPS Office awards. Regarding the overall funding 

caps, our office will determine that based on the staffing numbers entered on the demographic form. 

The budgeted number of sworn officer positions will be used to determine the funding cap. The 

budgeted number is the number of sworn officer positions funded in your agency’s budget, including 

funded but frozen positions as well as state, BIA, and locally funded vacancies. 

For purposes of the funding cap, part-time positions will be counted as .5 toward the final number, 

and we do not round up. For example, if you have eight full-time officers and one part-time officer, 

your total staffing level will be considered 8.5, not 9. 

7. How many officers should our tribe request? 

Although there is not a predetermined number of officers for which a tribe may request funding, the 

COPS Office has provided sworn officer funding caps that will help tribes determine their need along 

with our evaluation criteria for funding in the CTAS solicitation. 

8. Will my tribe receive the total amount of funding we requested under purpose area #1? 

PA 1 grants are intended to meet the most pressing, otherwise unfunded law enforcement needs of 

tribal applicants. However, grant awards may be limited based on the availability of funding and size of 

the tribe’s sworn force. 

9. Is there a local match requirement under purpose area #1? 

No. PA 1 grants will provide 100 percent of the funding for approved law enforcement hiring, 

equipment/technology, and training costs. 

10. What is the length of the grant award? 

PA 1 hiring grants are for a 60-month implementation period (five years). If your tribe is awarded a 

hiring grant, it will receive funding to cover the entry-level salary and benefits of full-time awarded 

officer positions incurred during the 60 months following the grant award start date, unless an 

extension for additional time is granted. PA 1 equipment and training grants are for a 36-month 

implementation period (three years). If your tribe is awarded an equipment and training grant, it will 

receive funding to cover the one-time purchases for allowable costs incurred during the 36 months 

following the grant award start date, unless an extension for additional time is granted. If awarded 

civilian full-time methamphetamine and or anti-opioid coordinator positions, these positions fall under 

the 36-month implementation period (three years) of equipment and training grants. 

FY 2024 

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11. My tribe’s law enforcement agency needs additional officer positions. Can we apply for funding 

to include these positions? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes. PA 1 grants for 2024 do include hiring grants for approved entry-level salaries and approved fringe 

benefits of newly hired or rehired full-time sworn career law enforcement officers, village public safety 

officers, tribal/village police officers, and school resource officers. 

12. May I request a school resource officer (SRO) under the hiring activity? 

Yes. Applicants may request SRO positions under TRGP-Hire. An SRO is defined under the COPS Office 

statute as “a career law enforcement officer, with sworn authority, deployed in community-oriented 

policing, and assigned by the employing police department or agency to work in collaboration with 

schools and community-based organizations— 

a. to address crime and disorder problems, gangs, and drug activities affecting or occurring in 

or around an elementary or secondary school; 

b. to develop or expand crime prevention efforts for students; 

c. to educate likely school-age victims in crime prevention and safety; 

d. to develop or expand community justice initiatives for students; 

e. to train students in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and crime awareness; 

f. to assist in the identification of physical changes in the environment that may reduce crime 

in or around the school; and 

g. to assist in developing school policy that addresses crime and to recommend procedural 

changes.” 

34 U.S.C. §10389(4). 

The COPS Office–funded SRO position must be a “career law enforcement officer” defined as “a person 

hired on a permanent basis who is authorized by law or by a State or local public agency to engage in or 

supervise the prevention, detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws.” 34 U.S.C. §10389(1). 

The agency must use COPS Office funds to hire new, additional career law enforcement officers over and 

above its budgeted (not actual) sworn force and take active and timely steps in accordance with its 

standard recruiting and hiring policy to fill all locally funded vacancies resulting from attrition. In 

addition, tribes must plan to retain grant hired officers for 12 months after the expiration of the grant. 

13. If I was awarded an SRO, are there requirements I need to adhere to? 

Yes. The COPS Office requires a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the law enforcement 

agency and the school. In addition, the funded SRO needs to complete the 40-hour Basic School 

Resource Officer Course conducted by The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). 

FY 2024 

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If your agency is awarded funding to hire SROs, your agency will be required to submit an MOU between 

your agency and the school or school district defining the roles and responsibilities of the individuals and 

partners involved including SROs, school administrators, law enforcement and education departments, 

students, and parents. The MOU must be effective during the award period and contain the following: 

• The purpose of the MOU 

• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the school district and the law enforcement agency 

focusing officers’ roles on safety 

• Information sharing 

• Supervision responsibility and chain of command for the SRO 

• Signatures 

14. If we are awarded a grant, will our Tribal Government be subjected to monitoring, reporting, 

and evaluation requirements? 

Federal regulations require that any financial assistance from the Federal Government be monitored to 

ensure that those funds are spent properly. Awarded agencies will be responsible for submitting 

semiannual programmatic progress reports and quarterly Federal Financial Reports. In addition, the 

COPS Office is interested in tracking the progress of its programs and the development of its grantees’ 

community policing plans. Therefore, all grantees will be required to cooperate with grant monitoring 

activities of the U.S. Department of Justice, including the COPS Office, the Office of the Inspector 

General, or an entity designated by the COPS Office. 

The COPS Office monitoring staff may take several monitoring approaches, such as site visits, officebased grant reviews, and periodic surveys to gather information. The COPS Office may seek information 

including your agency’s compliance with nonsupplanting and financial requirements of the grant and 

progress toward achieving your community policing plan. COPS Office Grant Program and Monitoring 

Specialists, as well as auditors, are particularly interested in confirming that the purchase of approved 

items is consistent with the applicant’s proposal. 

15. Will my tribe be responsible for submitting programmatic performance reports to the COPS 

Office for purpose area #1? 

Yes. To assist in fulfilling the DOJ’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act 

(GPRA), P.L. 103–62, applicants who receive grant funding must provide data that measures the results 

of their work. As part of the periodic progress reports, grantees must report on their progress toward 

implementing community policing strategies. 

FY 2024 

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16. Can I request a modification to my hiring award? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If your agency receives a hiring award under PA 1 and after receiving the award your agency needs to 

change one or more of the funded hiring categories, your agency must request a post-award 

modification and must receive prior approval before spending PA 1 hiring funding. To obtain information 

on modifying the hiring award, please contact the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 and 

ask to speak to your grant management specialist. 

 

17. Would the COPS Office purpose area #1 allow for the purchase of a database system that would 

allow multiple databases throughout tribal departments to share information pertinent to law 

enforcement? 

Yes. 

 

18. Would the COPS Office purpose area #1 allow for the hiring of officers or purchase of equipment 

that would benefit multiple law enforcement agencies or governments, including nontribal law 

enforcement? 

Tribal Resources Grant Program funding must be used for law enforcement activities or services that 

benefit your agency and the population that it serves. The items funded under the TRGP may not be 

used by other agencies unless the items benefit the population that your agency serves. Your agency 

may use the items funded under the TRGP award to assist other law enforcement agencies under a 

resource sharing, mutual aid, or other agreement to address multijurisdictional issues as described in 

the agreement. 

19. Are tribal conservation departments eligible to receive grant funding under purpose area #1? 

Yes, if a tribe’s conservation department has primary law enforcement authority, it is eligible to receive 

grant funding under PA 1 as part of a tribe’s single application. For clarification and as stated in the 

solicitation, applicants must have an established law enforcement agency, an existing contract with the 

BIA for law enforcement services, or an existing contract with a state or local agency for law 

enforcement services. 

20. Can our police department request additional funding for purpose area #1 if they received a 

grant for this year already through the COPS Office? 

Yes, you can apply under PA 1 if you are an existing grantee. 

21. Must the law enforcement agency retain hired officers after the grant period ends? 

Yes. Tribes must plan to retain grant hired career law enforcement officers for 12 months after the 

expiration of the grant. 

FY 2024 

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22. Does the COPS Office pay for background investigations? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the COPS Office does pay for background investigations for newly hired officers. Background 

investigations are required for all career law enforcement officer positions funded under the Tribal 

Resources Grant Program. Applicants that request career law enforcement officer positions must also 

request funds to conduct background investigations in their budget worksheet. 

23. Does the COPS Office pay for basic law enforcement training? 

Yes, the COPS Office does pay for basic law enforcement training for newly hired officers. Basic law 

enforcement training is required for all career law enforcement officer positions funded under the Tribal 

Resources Grant Program. Applicants that request career law enforcement officer positions must also 

request funds for the officer(s) to attend basic law enforcement training in their budget worksheet. 

24. Must I budget for attendance at CTAS Orientation under COPS Office purpose area #1? 

Yes, attendance at the annual CTAS Orientation is required for COPS Office award recipients. All 

applicants must budget for and, if awarded, send two appropriate staff to participate in the mandatory 

CTAS new grantee orientation. Applicants should request funds for the orientation training in their 

budget worksheet. 

Failure to comply with the requirements and all COPS Office award requirements may result in legal 

sanctions including suspension and termination of award funds, the repayment of expended funds, 

ineligibility to receive additional COPS Office funding, and other remedies available by law. 

 

 

25. Can my tribe use funds to establish a new or supplement an already existing contract for law 

enforcement services with BIA, state, or local law enforcement? 

Yes. Funds awarded under the hiring portion of PA 1 may be used to establish a new contract or 

supplement an existing contract for law enforcement services. This contract does not have to be in place 

at the time of application, but it must be in place prior to drawdown of funds if awarded. 

Only federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments, as determined by the U.S. Secretary of the 

Interior, may apply. This includes Alaska Native villages and tribal consortia consisting of two or more 

federally recognized Indian tribes. 

26. What is the definition of career law enforcement? 

The COPS Office statute defines a career law enforcement officer as an officer hired on a permanent 

basis who is authorized by law or by a state or local public agency to engage in or supervise the 

prevention, detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws. 34 U.S.C. § 10389(1). 

FY 2024 

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27. What is the definition of village public safety officer? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We define a village public safety officer as “an individual employed as a village public safety officer 

under the program established by the State pursuant to Alaska Statute 18.65.670.” Tribal Law and Order 

Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-211, title II, § 247 (a)(2). 

28. Does the civilian meth or opioid coordinator position need to be retained for 12 months after 

the completion of the grant? 

No, the awarded civilian meth or opioid coordinator position is not subject to the COPS Office retention 

requirement. 

29. Under purpose area #1, may grantees use funding to rehire laid-off officers or rehire officers 

who are scheduled to be laid off? 

Yes. COPS Office TRGP-Hire funding may be used to rehire officers who have been laid off because of 

state or local funding cuts or rehire officers that are scheduled to be laid off at a specific future date 

because of state or local funding cuts. Grantees must continue to fund the officers with their own funds 

from the grant award start date(s) until the date of the scheduled layoff(s). Grantees must keep records 

related to the layoff(s) and rehire(s) in their grant files for future monitoring and audit purposes. 

Note: COPS Office TRGP-Hire funding is based on the agency’s entry-level salary and benefits package, 

and any additional costs beyond entry-level for the rehired officers must be paid by the agency with its 

own funding. 

30. Under purpose area #1, what type of documentation should be maintained in an agency’s grant 

file regarding layoff(s) and rehire(s)? 

• The date of the layoff(s) or pending layoff(s) 

• The number of officers laid off or who will be laid off 

• The number of officers who will be rehired with COPS Office hiring funds 

• The date of the rehire(s) 

• The reason for the layoff(s) or pending layoff(s) (specifically showing reasons unrelated to the 

receipt of COPS Office funding) 

31. What are examples of supporting documentation to show that layoffs are not related to the 

receipt of COPS Office funds? 

• Budget documents 

• Local council meeting minutes discussing the budget cuts and layoffs; personnel directives given 

to officers scheduled for layoff 

• Other documentation prior to the date of the application announcement explaining why the 

layoffs occurred 

FY 2024 

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32. What fringe benefits are allowable? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on what fringe benefits are allowable, refer to the allowable and unallowable cost 

list at https://www.justice.gov/tribal and https://cops.usdoj.gov. 

33. When entering entry-level officer salaries for each year, can we include the customary 3 percent 

cost-of-living allowance (COLA) increases for years 2 through 5? 

Applicants will enter the first year as the current entry-level salary that has been approved by the 

agency; then enter year 2 as 3 percent higher than year 1, year 3 as 3 percent higher than year 2, and so 

forth. 

34. What documentation are we required to submit if we want to include indirect costs on our 

Budget Detail Worksheet? 

Funding requests for indirect costs are allowable only if the applicant has a current federally approved 

indirect cost rate. You must submit a signed copy of the fully executed and approved Indirect Cost 

Negotiation Agreement with the application. If the rate agreement is expired at the time of application, 

the approved amount of indirect cost will be calculated and placed on hold until a current fully executed 

and approved Indirect Cost Negotiation Agreement is submitted to the awarding agency. If a current 

rate agreement is not provided by the grant end date, the total amount of funds budgeted as indirect 

costs may be disallowed and deobligated during closeout of this award. 

35. How do I know if my agency or tribe is eligible to request the de minimis rate of 10 percent for 

indirect costs? 

Nonfederal entities that have do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate 

may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) as described in 

2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), which may be used indefinitely. (See paragraph D.1.b in Appendix VII to Part 200— 

States and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals for a description of entities that 

may not be eligible to elect to use the de minimis rate.) 

36. May purpose area #1 funding be used to fund overtime for sworn officers? 

Yes. Agencies may request funding for overtime for sworn officers engaging in community policing 

activities under the Other Costs budget category. 

37. Are fringe benefits allowable for requested overtime costs? 

Yes, but the only fringe benefits allowable for requested overtime compensation are FICA, Worker’s 

Compensation, and unemployment insurance. The COPS Office will not pay for any other fringe benefits 

for requested overtime costs. If your agency pays for additional benefits for officer overtime, then your 

agency will be required to do so with local funds. 

FY 2024 

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Please note fringe benefits and overtime costs will make up the overall total for cap purposes. Please 

explain the calculation in the Other Costs budget narrative. Fringe benefits are not separate and are 

counted toward the overall overtime cap. Overtime hours (hourly rate and approved fringe benefits) are 

to be calculated and requested in the “Other” category (NOT in the personnel or fringe benefits 

categories). 

38. How much overtime can I request? 

Agencies are allowed overtime in general (not tied to a specific officer request). To prevent the request 

from being too large, the costs will be capped based on the overall award caps as follows: 

• Fewer than 10 officers: Maximum $25,000 in OT costs 

• 10–19 officers: Maximum $50,000 in OT costs 

• 20 or more officers: Maximum $75,000 in OT costs 

The $25,000, $50,000, or $75,000 figure is the maximum amount for the entire grant period. Overtime 

amounts are part of the overall funding caps. In addition, because of the decreased funding amount 

available and increasing competitive nature of TRGP, the COPS Office will continue to impose caps on FY 

2024 awards. Tribes with a sworn force of fewer than 10 sworn officers are eligible for up to $600,000 in 

COPS Office awards; tribes with a sworn force of 10–19 sworn officers are eligible for up to $700,000 in 

COPS Office awards; and tribes with a sworn force of 20 or more officers are eligible for up to $900,000 

in COPS Office awards. 

39. How does the nonsupplanting requirement impact the requested overtime costs? 

The nonsupplanting requirement of the COPS Office statute means that COPS Office funds may not be 

used to supplant or replace local funding which otherwise would have been spent on law enforcement 

purposes. Specifically, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, under which all 

COPS Office grants are made, provides that funds “made available . . . to States or units of local 

government shall not be used to supplant State or local funds, or, in the case of Indian tribal 

governments, funds supplied by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but shall be used to increase the amount of 

funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds received under this subchapter, be made available 

from State or local sources.” 34 U.S.C. § 10384 (a)). 

As applied in this instance, this means that overtime grant funds must be used to increase the total 

amount of funds that would otherwise be made available and dedicated toward overtime. Overtime 

expenses must exceed the expenditures that an agency is obligated or funded to pay in its current 

budget. 

40. How do I enter overtime costs on my budget worksheet? 

Please enter overtime costs as a single line-item entry in the “Other Costs” category within the budget 

worksheet. The request is labeled “Overtime” for the entire eligible amount of overtime that you are 

requesting (see question 38, “How much overtime can I request?” on page 30). Overtime costs consist of 

FY 2024 

page 30 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the hourly rate as determined by your agency’s compensation policy, plus the amount of the agency’s 

portion of fringe benefits applicable to the overtime hourly rate (limited to FICA, Worker’s 

Compensation, and Unemployment Insurance as described on page 29). Also, keep in mind that your 

overtime costs may be included in the direct cost base for the purpose of recovering indirect costs. 

41. Where can I get help with tribal technical assistance? 

The COPS Office offers technical assistance on a variety of topics requested at the local tribal level to all 

tribes through the Collaborative Reform Initiative – Technical Assistance Center. Please visit the COPS 

Office home page for further information at https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/crita/CRITAC_brochure.pdf 

The COPS Office supports TTA that not only is specifically geared toward tribes but also generally applies 

across broader topic areas such as community policing, prescription drugs, gangs, and youth safety, 

among others. 

42. Why are some narrative boxes not editable in the purpose area #1 budget worksheet? 

Please enable the Excel budget worksheet and complete the budget worksheet/budget narrative for PA 

1. Regarding the specific PA 1 budget worksheet: 

Please note you will include your item description/budget narrative information in the item narrative 

boxes for the Travel, Equipment, Supplies, and Other Costs in the budget worksheet. 

The bigger narrative boxes for these categories will be greyed out or disabled. You do not need to input 

any information in the bigger narrative boxes for the Travel, Equipment, Supplies, and Other Costs 

categories. 

Instead, we want the applicant to write up their information within the Item Narrative Box that is part 

of the Item/Item Narrative. You should not be vague, but be thorough, with your descriptions—but in 

the first narrative box (item narrative box) rather than the bigger narrative box section. 

It is just those four areas where you do not need to use the bigger boxes. PA 1/the COPS Office wants 

you to put your narrative, item description, justification, etc. in the item narrative box instead. 

Purpose Area #2 - Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning (BJA, 

COPS Office, OJJDP, OVC) 

1. What projects are supported under purpose area #2? 

Under PA 2, applicants may request funding to engage in a data-informed planning process to develop a 

written, justice system–wide strategic plan that will guide justice system development and 

enhancement to promote community wellness and safety. The strategic planning process is supported 

FY 2024 

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by extensive training and technical assistance that is provided by a DOJ-funded TTA provider at no cost 

to the tribe. The resulting strategic plan will identify the priority needs facing the applicant’s justice 

system and outline a detailed, strength-based strategy. 

• Equipment. No equipment should be budgeted for this project. General office equipment such 

as computers, fax machines, printers, scanners, and tools to support data collection and analysis 

should be included in the “Supplies” or “Other” categories. 

• Training. DOJ will fund a training and technical assistance provider at no cost to grantees to 

assist in all aspects of the strategic planning process. This includes extensive virtual, onsite, and 

office-based support for facilitating the strategic planning process, forming a strategic planning 

team, conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, identifying community strengths and 

resources, defining community challenges, developing strategies to strengthen the applicant’s 

justice system and promote community wellness and safety, and completing the final written 

strategic plan to be submitted to DOJ. Costs for outside training and technical assistance 

providers or outside organizations to create a strategic plan for the tribe will not be an allowable 

expense. 

• Travel. Airfare, lodging, mileage reimbursement, and per diem associated with regional and 

national meetings or strategic planning trainings, including costs associated with DOJ-required 

trainings. This should include travel for two people to the required CTAS orientation. Use 

Washington, D.C., as the destination when calculating the estimated costs for required travel. 

2. Can purpose area #2 funds be used for personnel? 

Yes, hiring a staff member or contract position as a program manager is an allowable expense for PA 2. 

Because the strategic planning process requires a lot of coordination across different departments 

within a tribe, the DOJ encourages the inclusion of a staff person to manage the process. A full or parttime (approximately .75 FTE) project manager to facilitate the planning process and work with the DOJ 

CTAS PA 2–identified technical assistance provider to coordinate daily activities is strongly 

recommended. This position can be funded through the mechanism that best suits the tribe, as a staff 

member or on a contract basis. In addition, funds may be used to support staff or contractors to support 

the data collection and analysis, including research partners. 

3. How much funding is my tribe eligible to receive under purpose area #2? 

The DOJ plans to award approximately 10 grants, up to $150,000 per award. 

4. What is the length of the grant award? 

PA 2 grants are for up to a five-year period; however, shorter time frames are allowable. 

FY 2024 

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5. If we are awarded a grant, will our Tribal Government be subjected to monitoring, reporting, 

and evaluation requirements? 

Federal regulations require that any financial assistance from the Federal Government be monitored to 

ensure that those funds are spent properly. Awarded agencies will be responsible for submitting 

periodic programmatic progress reports and quarterly federal financial reports. 

6. Will training and technical assistance (TTA) be provided for purpose area #2 grantees, and is the 

training required? 

BJA has a dedicated TTA provider to provide extensive support to PA 2 grantees at no cost to grantees. 

This will include extensive onsite trainings and office-based support for facilitating the strategic planning 

process, forming a strategic planning team, conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, identifying 

community strengths and resources, defining community challenges, developing strategies to 

strengthen the applicant’s justice system and promote community wellness and safety, and completing 

the final written strategic plan to be submitted to DOJ. PA 2 applicants should budget for two core team 

members to travel to CTAS orientation. For budgeting purposes only, applicants should use Washington, 

D.C., to calculate estimated travel costs. The actual training locations will be determined after awards 

are made. 

7. Will my tribe be responsible for submitting progress reports to BJA for purpose area #2? 

Yes. To assist in fulfilling the DOJ’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act 

(GPRA), P.L. 103–62, applicants who receive grant funding must provide data that measures the results 

of their work. 

Purpose Area #3 - Tribal Justice Systems (BJA) 

1. What projects can be supported under purpose area #3? 

Allowable projects under this purpose area can develop, support, and enhance adult tribal justice 

systems and prevent crime, including crime related to opioid, alcohol, and other substance abuse. Key 

partners can include law enforcement; pretrial services; risk and needs assessment experts; diversion, 

prevention, and treatment providers; juvenile justice; tribal prosecutors; tribal court services and 

defense counsel; detention facilities; community corrections; re-entry coordinators; community 

planners and facility managers; and traditional leaders. 

Examples of projects that can be supported are as follows: 

• Tribal courts. Plan new or enhance existing tribal courts. Support staffing of prosecutors, 

attorneys, advocates, probation, and pretrial service officers; tribal court judges and other court 

staff; clerical support staff, etc. Provide indigent defense and criminal legal defense services and 

support activities relating to implementation of the enhanced sentencing authority provisions of 

TLOA or the special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction under the Violence Against Women 

Reauthorization Act of 2013. 

FY 2024 

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• Alternative justice courts. Plan new or enhance existing peacemaking courts, healing to 

wellness courts, veterans’ treatment courts, sentencing circles, and other alternative justice 

courts. 

• Risk and needs assessment. Develop and integrate the use of risk and needs assessment tools 

into the tribal justice system decision-making process. To implement results, coordinate access 

to key social services, tracking and case management of services, and ongoing risk assessment 

reviews. 

• Diversion and alternatives to incarceration. Employ decision-making models and programming 

to divert low-risk offenders, including juveniles at high risk for involvement in the adult system, 

from incarceration. Including law enforcement diversion, community supervision, mental health 

services and drug abuse treatment, electronic alcohol and offender monitoring, job training and 

placement, housing assistance, education, and family and community supports. 

• Prevention. Protect communities from crime related to alcohol and drug abuse, including 

opioids, methamphetamine, and prescription drug abuse and production. Support culturally 

relevant and appropriate evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs (see 

https://www.samhsa.gov/nrepp). Enhance security in areas such as lighting, surveillance 

equipment, and community emergency alert and telephone systems. 

• Treatment. Integrate tribal, federal, state, and local services with culturally appropriate 

treatment for individuals diverted from the tribal justice systems, individuals involved in the 

tribal justice system (including the incarcerated population), and re-entering individuals and 

their families. 

• Corrections (institutional and community). Develop, implement, and enhance programming for 

tribal members incarcerated in tribal, federal, state, or local correctional facilities or under 

community supervision to reduce risks for reoffending and support successful rehabilitation. 

Programming could include collaborations to support behavioral health needs, effective 

treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, education and vocational services, and other 

programming that will reduce the risk for recidivism. 

• Re-entry. Develop, implement, and enhance culturally appropriate re-entry programs. Also 

provide treatment, aftercare, and other re-entry supportive services to individuals re-entering 

communities from tribal, local, state, and federal correctional facilities. 

• Law enforcement. Identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who illegally transport, 

distribute, and abuse illegal substances in tribal communities (subject to existing legal 

authority). Support programming to improve officer safety and improve the delivery of law 

enforcement services related to crime, the opioid epidemic, and other addictions in the tribal 

community. 

• Equipment. Purchase general office equipment such as computers, fax machines, printers, 

scanners, surveillance cameras, digital cameras, office furniture, courtroom furniture, computer 

networks, court management systems, electronic alcohol and offender monitoring devices, and 

related equipment. 

FY 2024 

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• Strategic planning. Develop tribal action plans (see https://www.samhsa.gov/tribalttac/training-technical-assistance/tap) for alcohol and substance abuse. Increase coordination 

with relevant nontribal agencies and organizations, and among all levels of the tribe engage in 

strategic planning efforts to address the needs of the tribe’s justice system. Comprehensively 

address alcohol and substance abuse–related crime. 

• Training. Registration fees and lodging costs associated with training events and related to 

purpose area activities and costs associated with obtaining expert knowledge to assist with the 

development or enhancement of the program such as culturally appropriate training, technical 

assistance, treatment, and information technology. 

• Travel. Airfare, lodging, and mileage reimbursement for training costs related to purpose area 

activities, including costs associated with DOJ-required training. This should include travel for 

two people to attend the required CTAS orientation. Please use Washington, D.C., as the 

destination when calculating the estimated costs for required travel. 

2. Are grant deliverables subject to approval? 

Yes, deliverables produced with grant funds must be reviewed and approved by BJA prior to the 

production and dissemination of said products. Examples of deliverables include workshops, billboards, 

flyers, pamphlets, training curricula, etc. 

3. Is a match required? 

No, a match is not required for this purpose area. 

4. Am I eligible to apply for purpose area #3 funds if I received a grant under the FY 2023 purpose 

area #3? 

Yes, grant recipients of FY 2023 CTAS funding are eligible to apply for funds under PA 3 of this 

solicitation if the requested funds are for a different purpose than the FY 2024 award. However, 

applicants should be aware that if a large percentage of the funds in the existing award are currently 

unobligated, this will make a new award in FY 2023 less likely. 

5. Will DOJ offer any technical assistance to grant recipients under this program? 

Yes, BJA partners with several technical assistance providers that will provide training and technical 

assistance to grant recipients on a range of topics via workshop(s) and ad hoc assistance. 

6. Can a Tribal Government with a service population of fewer than 1,000 apply to plan, 

implement, or enhance a single tribal court system? 

Yes, tribes or tribal consortia of any size can apply to plan new or enhance existing tribal court system. 

However, tribes with a service population of fewer than 1,000 are encouraged to consider applying as 

part of intertribal consortia. 

FY 2024 

page 35 
 

 

 

7. Do tribes have to allocate a specific amount over the project period to cover travel and other 

costs for attending BJA training or court-related meetings? 

Technical assistance and training remain a critical component toward planning, implementing, 

enhancing, and sustaining tribal justice systems. You should budget for airfare, lodging, and mileage 

reimbursement for training costs related to purpose area activities, including costs associated with DOJrequired training. This should include travel for two people to attend the required CTAS orientation. 

Please use Washington, D.C., as the destination when calculating the estimated costs for required travel, 

this is for budgeting purposes only. The location of orientation will be determined after awards are 

made. 

8. If my tribe is applying for multiple areas of focus under purpose area #3, can we request 

$900,000 for each project? 

No, regardless of the number of areas of focus, the recommended range for funding is $250,000 to 

$900,000 total for a 5-year award period. 

9. Can my tribe request $900,000 for a project period of less than five years? 

No, if a request is for less than a five-year period it should also be for proportionately less funding. 

Purpose Area #4 - Tribal Justice Systems Infrastructure Program (BJA) 

1. What projects can be supported under purpose area #4? 

This PA can support efforts related to the enhancement of physical tribal justice system infrastructure, 

including the following: 

• Safety and security. Renovate, expand , or replace existing tribal justice–related facilities or 

build new permanent tribal justice–related facilities (prefabricated, permanent modular, stickbuilt, or pre-engineered steel building options only) where there are no existing permanent 

structures available or sufficient to address staff, resident, detainee, and inmate safety and 

security issues in the following tribal justice–related facility types: 

▪ Single jurisdiction or regional tribal correctional facilities 

▪ Correctional alternative or treatment facilities 

▪ Multipurpose justice centers (including police departments, courts, and corrections) 

▪ Transitional living facilities (halfway houses) 

▪ Police departments, 

▪ Courts 

▪ Domestic violence shelters, safe homes, transitional living facilities, and advocacy programs 

FY 2024 

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• Programming capacity. Renovate or expand existing tribal justice–related facilities or build new 

permanent tribal justice–related facilities (prefabricated, permanent modular, stick-built, or preengineered steel building options only) where there are no existing permanent structures 

available or sufficient that will add capacity for recidivism reduction programming; enhance 

facility service and function capacity; provide capacity, equipment, or infrastructure to support 

staff training, fitness, and wellness; implement correctional alternative programs and domestic 

violence shelters and programs; or establish community-based programs to reduce the 

recidivism rates for offenders who are subject to tribal jurisdiction. 

• Other costs associated with renovation/expansion of a facility, new permanent facility, or the 

completion of existing construction projects. Infrastructure costs such as roads, sewer and 

water hook-ups, land preparation, and other costs normally associated with construction site 

work; items associated with managing the planned construction or renovation process and 

construction materials necessary to construct or renovate facilities and associated 

infrastructure; furniture, surveillance cameras, or other items affixed or integral to the facility; 

staff housing; or other costs associated with the completion of a renovation or construction 

project funded though other confirmed funding sources. 

2. If a Tribal Government has received renovation or construction funds from BJA in previous 

years, is it eligible to apply for funding under purpose area #4? 

Yes. However, the tribe should demonstrate how the proposal complements, builds on, or differs from 

effort(s) funded in previous years. 

3. Will BJA offer any technical assistance to grant recipients under this program? 

Yes. BJA will provide training and technical assistance free of charge to grant recipients under this 

program to assist with operational planning and construction management. 

4. Is a budget match required? 

No. There is no matching funds requirement for this PA. 

5. Do Tribal Governments have to allocate a specific amount over the project period to cover 

travel and other costs for attending BJA training/meetings? 

Applicants must budget for airfare, lodging, and mileage reimbursement to attend the required CTAS 

orientation. Please use Washington, D.C., as the destination when calculating the estimated costs for 

the required travel. 

6. Do applicants have to submit a BIA correctional facility needs assessment that supports the 

tribe’s application submission? 

Applicants must demonstrate that they have completed a planning process that supports the need for 

renovation, expansion, or permanent modular funding under TJSIP. Applicants must certify the extent of 

planning completed and present all relevant documents related to the completed planning activities 

FY 2024 

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with their application. Applicants that have completed a formal or structured justice system planning 

process, such as the BJA Planning Alternatives and Correctional Institutions for Indian Country or the 

National Institute of Corrections Planning of New Institutions process, should attach documentation 

such as a master plan or needs assessment to receive priority consideration for funding under the TJSIP 

PA. If applicants are seeking to renovate, they should describe the development of a renovation, 

expansion, or new permanent facility plan that explores building options to ensure a cost-effective 

design and provide the status of any requests to other agencies regarding the staffing, maintenance, and 

operation of the facilities being planned, expanded, or renovated. 

7. Does the funded facility have to be located on tribal lands? How are “tribal lands” defined? 

Efforts funded under PA 4 must be located on lands on which the tribe exercises jurisdiction sufficient to 

operate the funded facility. Typically, this is limited to “tribal lands,” meaning 

• all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States 

Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running 

through the reservation; 

• all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the 

original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of a 

State; 

• all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights- ofway running through the same. 

8. If my tribe received funds to renovate or construct a correctional facility previously, can I now 

apply for purpose area #4 funds to renovate or expand a police department or a courthouse? 

Yes. 

9. Can my tribe submit more than one application under purpose area #4? 

No. Only one application will be accepted from each tribe or tribal consortium, covering all focuses 

within this purpose area. 

10. Can tribes apply under purpose area #4 to fund facilities related to re-entry, such as transitional 

living facilities (halfway houses)? 

Yes. Tribes can use funding under PA 4 to fund re-entry–related facilities. 

11. Can tribes apply for new construction projects as opposed to renovation, expansion, or 

permanent modular facilities? 

No. BJA no longer solicits proposals for new construction projects. 

FY 2024 

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12. Can my tribe apply to fund renovation, expansion, or a permanent modular facility for domestic 

violence shelters/safe homes/transitional living facilities /advocacy programs? 

Yes. Based on input from tribal leaders, BJA expanded TJSIP to address domestic violence program 

infrastructure needs. 

13. Can my tribe propose to renovate and/or expand more than one justice facility in one 

application submission? 

Yes. 

14. My tribe is interested in applying for CTAS purpose area #4 funding to erect a permanent facility 

(prefabricated, permanent modular, stick-built, or pre-engineered steel building options only). 

What steps do I need to take as I prepare my application? 

When considering applying for a CTAS PA 4 (Tribal Justice Infrastructure Program) award, applicants 

should identify the building code and zoning requirements that would apply to the proposed project, 

including any applicable tribal, local, county, or state requirements, and assure that the building site 

allows modular construction in accordance with those specific applicable codes and zoning 

requirements. 

Obtain a quote or estimate from a permanent facility vendor. Please ensure that your quote or estimate 

accounts for costs associated with BJA Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program (TJSIP) Permanent 

Modular Facility Construction Minimum Requirements (see 

https://www.justice.gov/tribal/page/file/1352211/download). Considering the significant investment in 

these projects, BJA provides minimum requirements that permanent modular structures must meet to 

ensure that grantees opt for structurally sound permanent modular structures. 

Ensure that you are able to obtain documentation from your tribe’s appropriate tribal governing body 

authorizing the use of tribal land or facilities for the purpose of erecting a permanent modular facility. 

The documentation must specify the area of land to be used for the project. 

Consider the fact that BJA will require proof of project insurance prior to releasing funds to commence 

the permanent modular project. New construction and major renovation projects create unique 

insurance challenges, and property owners need to understand the obligations and responsibilities they 

assume when contracting with their preferred builders or contractors. It is best to consult with an 

experienced independent insurance agent to assess the scope of a construction project and determine 

which policy is best suited to protect the owner’s interests. 

FY 2024 

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[Purpose Area #5 is not included in this year’s CTAS.] 

Purpose Area #6 - Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities 

(OVC) 

1. Who is eligible to apply for purpose area #6 funding? 

For PA 6, Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities, federally recognized Indian tribes, 

as determined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior,1 including Alaska Native villages, Alaska Native 

Corporations, and tribal consortia consisting of two or more federally recognized Indian tribes, may 

apply. “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community 

(including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established 

pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688), 43 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq.) that is 

recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians 

because of their status as Indians. In addition, an organization that is acting as the authorized designee 

of a federally recognized Indian tribe may apply. 

In addition, under this PA, FY 2022 and FY 2023 PA 6 CJA Program awardees are not eligible to apply for 

the FY 2024 PA 6 CJA program. 

1 A determination by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior is not required for tribes to which federal recognition was 

extended byvirtue of Public Law 115-121, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act 

of 2017. 

FY 2024 

page 40 

2. Can adult victims be supported under purpose area #6? 

In general, no. PA 6 is guided by the Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Grant 

Program (Victims of Crime Act of 1984, Section 1402(g), 34 U.S.C. § 20101(g)), which supports projects in 

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities for the purpose of improving the investigation, 

prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that 

increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. Limited support services may be 

provided to the families, including nonoffending adult caregivers, of children who are receiving grant 

services funded under PA 6. 

3. If an applicant received funding from CTAS FY 2022or FY 2023purpose area #6, are they eligible 

to apply for the CTAS FY 2024 purpose area #6 program? 

No. CTAS FY 2022 and FY 2023 PA 6 awardees are not eligible to apply for CTAS FY 2024 PA 6 CJA 

Program. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. What activities can be funded under the award? 

Specific examples of activities that may be funded under PA 6 include but are not limited to the 

following: 

• Personnel/Staffing. Funding may support the salary and fringe benefits for personnel involved 

in the investigation, prosecution, and victim services focused on cases of criminal child abuse 

and neglect. Staffing may include dedicated prosecutors, law enforcement investigators, child 

protection services personnel, forensic interviewers, case managers, clinical mental health 

professionals, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners, and other victim assistance and allied 

professionals. 

• Victim assistance. Funding may support victim assistance services that are linked to the child’s 

victimization. Victim assistance may include developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed 

counseling for primary victims and secondary victims (such as siblings or grandparents); family 

therapy; group therapy; case management services; aid with participating in traditional healing 

ceremonies or other cultural activities; assistance with emergency food, clothing, and 

transportation costs; emergency shelter services; assistance with crime victim compensation 

claims; and medical and dental care. 

• Coordination/outreach. Funding may support multidisciplinary team meetings; community 

forums; and the development, production, and distribution of awareness materials such as 

PSAs, posters, brochures, fact sheets, etc., designed to increase the public’s awareness and 

understanding of child abuse and neglect and the availability of grant-funded services. 

• Development of policies/ procedures / protocols. Funding may support the development and 

distribution of written response protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures manuals 

that promote trauma-informed approaches to the delivery of services to victims of child abuse 

and neglect and their family members. Funds may also to be used to develop or update tribal 

codes related to defining and expanding victims’ rights and crimes against children. 

• Cultural and traditional practices. Funding may support the inclusion of cultural and traditional 

practices in proposed activities—e.g., smudging, sweat lodges, or other traditional healing 

ceremonies—for victims of child abuse and neglect and their family members. 

• Expanding services. Funding may support expanding existing victim service programming to 

provide a more comprehensive array of services to child victims and their families. Funds may 

also be used to support outreach and education activities that educate the community about 

child abuse and neglect and how to access the services that are available. 

• Travel. Funding may support airfare, lodging, per diem, and other allowable incidental costs for 

meetings or trainings related to purpose area activities, including costs associated with travel for 

at least two appropriate staff to attend the following DOJ-required trainings (i.e., one CTAS 

grantee orientation, one OVC mandatory training, and the biennial OVC-sponsored National 

Indian Nations Conference). 

FY 2024 

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• Training. Funding may be used for costs associated with developing and conducting local inservice trainings relevant to the investigation and prosecution of criminal child abuse and 

neglect cases. 

Funding may also be used to send grant-funded staff—and, upon approval of your OVC grant 

manager, staff from collaborative partner agencies and organizations—to local, tribal, state, and 

regional training events that address the handling, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse 

and neglect cases or address the provision of trauma-informed services to the victims and their 

families. 

• Equipment and supplies. Funding may be used for equipment and technology related to 

allowable activities. Costs may include, for example, supplies for play therapy, forensic 

interviewing recording equipment, digital cameras, rape kits, medical equipment for a pediatric 

sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program, office furniture and equipment (e.g., printers 

and scanners, child-friendly furnishings), and materials for traditional crafts and healing 

ceremonies. 

• Procurement contracts and consultants. Funding can be used for a wide range of contracted 

services or individuals to carry out approved program activities. Award funds can also be used to 

procure goods or services for the benefit of the grantee. Examples include 

telemedicine/telemental health access; cell phone service; or leasing a vehicle, photocopier, or 

other equipment essential to the operation of the project. Allowable consultant costs include 

tribal code development, cultural experts, and trauma- informed care trainers and presenters. 

5. What activities will not be funded under the award? 

Prevention- and construction-related costs are not allowed under this award. 

6. Are grant deliverables and other key activities subject to approval? 

Yes, deliverables and some activities produced with grant funds must be reviewed and approved by OVC 

prior to the production and dissemination of said products. Examples of such deliverables include 

resumes of potential program staff, privacy and confidentially policies and procedures, training 

curricula, community needs assessments, and strategic plans. 

7. May tribes apply for more than the designated award totals? 

Applicants may apply for the approximate award amount of up to $450,000 covering a three-year 

project period. DOJ has the discretion to negotiate the scope of work and budget with applicants prior 

to the awarding of a grant. 

FY 2024 

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8. Does the applicant need to address performance measures in the application? 

OVC does not require applicants to submit performance measures data with their application. OVC will 

require successful applicants to submit specific data as part of their reporting requirements. For the 

application, applicants should indicate an understanding of these requirements and discuss how they 

will gather the required data should they receive funding. 

9. Will OVC offer any technical assistance to grant recipients under this program? 

Upon award, OVC will provide access to free training and technical assistance to assist with developing 

and implementing grant-funded projects. This may include providing professional development training, 

specific training for project staff and staff members from collaborative partner agencies and 

organizations on how to serve victims of child abuse and neglect, assistance with establishing 

mechanisms to capture required performance measurement data, development of project deliverables, 

or other training and technical assistance needs that may be identified. OVC expects all awardees to 

actively participate in activities and services offered through OVC and to use the OVC-designated 

training and technical assistance providers as their primary training and technical assistance resource. 

10. If we are awarded a grant, will our Tribal Government be subject to monitoring, reporting, and 

evaluation requirements? 

Federal regulations require that any financial assistance from the Federal Government be monitored to 

ensure that those funds are spent properly. Awarded agencies will be responsible for submitting 

semiannual programmatic progress reports and quarterly federal financial reports and performance 

measures data collection. 

OVC actively monitors the status and progress of all grants. OVC monitoring can include phone 

discussions, emails, participating in meetings and events, reviewing progress and financial reports, or 

conducting site visits. Grantees must complete Office of Justice Programs financial management training 

and may have monitoring or site visits conducted by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. 

11. How long will the funds be available for obligation, expenditure, and drawdown if we receive an 

award? 

The funds for this program are authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984. VOCA requires 

that grant funds be available for award recipients to use during the Federal Fiscal Year in which the 

award is made, plus three additional Federal Fiscal Years (e.g., VOCA funds awarded in FY 2024 are 

available for use through the end of FY 2027). 

Purpose Area # 7 - Tribal Victim Services Program (OVC) 

Purpose area #7is no longer included in CTAS. The Tribal Victim Services Program is a standalone 

solicitation under the OVC Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. For more information about this 

Program, visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/tribal/tribal-victim-services-set-aside. 

FY 2024 

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Purpose Area #8 - Youth Healing to Wellness Courts (OJJDP) 

1. What projects are supported under this purpose area? 

This purpose area focuses on tribal court responses to the alcohol and substance use–related issues of 

youth under the age of 21. Specific examples of activities include the following: 

• Staffing. Salary and fringe benefits for positions to support implementation of the program and 

oversee staff that provide direct assistance to youth participants. 

• Equipment and supplies. Computer hardware and software for internet access and email 

capability, cell phones, telephones, pagers, printers, copiers, as needed for program 

implementation; general office supplies, postage, and other supplies necessary to create 

outreach materials such as posters, flyers, etc. 

• Training. Offsite specific training for identified program staff to attend to improve or develop 

skills in the areas related to operating a youth healing to wellness court. NOTE: While funds can 

be allocated for program staff to attend training, all successful applicants will receive virtual, 

onsite, and cluster trainings from the OJJDP selected training provider for youth healing to 

wellness courts. Funds are not allowed for additional consultants. 

• Travel. Airfare, lodging, and mileage reimbursement for meeting or training costs related to 

purpose area activities, including costs associated with DOJ-required training. Applicants may 

budget travel costs for attendance at the following PA 8–specific OJJDP trainings: 

▪ One two-day Healing to Wellness Enhancement Training for up to four people (for 

budgeting purposes, please use Palm Springs, CA, as the location of this meeting) 

▪ Two PA #8–specific training events for two people (for budgeting purposes, please use 

Washington, D.C., as the location for this two-day meeting) 

In addition, applicants must budget for one DOJ CTAS-wide orientation meeting for two people 

(for budgeting purposes, please use Palm Springs, California, as the location for this meeting). 

See the GSA web site for determining allowable per-diem travel costs: 

https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates. 

Please consult the solicitation for additional information about this training requirement. 

• Strategic planning. Comprehensive planning for tribal justice systems to serve juveniles as it 

relates specifically to the youth healing to wellness court objectives. These grants require a 

dedicated planning period at the start of the grant award. Awardees may be required to travel 

to specific training for development of the comprehensive plan which will include a 

sustainability plan. To be clear, enhancement grant recipients are expected to review and revise 

their current approved strategic plan to incorporate the next 5 years. 

FY 2024 

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Specific requirements 

Important note. Tribes seeking to develop a new or enhance an existing OJJDP Tribal Healing to 

Wellness Court programs are eligible to apply for funds in this purpose area. 

• Limitation on participation of violent offenders. Grant funds may not be used to serve violent 

offenders. See generally 34 U.S.C. § 10612. For purposes of this grant program, the term 

“violent offender” means a person 18 or older who 

1. is charged with or convicted of an offense that is punishable by a term of imprisonment 

exceeding one year, during the course of which offense or conduct: 

a. the person carried, possessed, or used a firearm or dangerous weapon; 

b. there occurred the death of or serious bodily injury to any person; or 

c. there occurred the use of force against the person of another, without regard to 

whether any of the circumstances described in (A) or (B) is an element of the offense or 

conduct of which or for which the person is charged or convicted; or 

2. has one or more prior convictions for a felony crime of violence involving the use or 

attempted use of force against a person with the intent to cause death or serious bodily 

harm. See 34 U.S.C. § 10613 (a). 

The term “violent offender” also includes a juvenile younger than age 18 who has been 

convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for a felony-level offense that (1) has as an element the 

use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of 

another or the possession or use of a firearm or (2) by its nature involves a substantial risk that 

physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of 

committing the offense. See 34 U.S.C. § 10613(b). 

• Technical assistance. A training and technical assistance (TTA) provider has already been 

identified by OJJDP to support PA 8 grantees. Applicants should not include requests for funding 

to support onsite consultants as this will be managed by the existing TTA provider. 

2. Are matching funds required? 

Matching funds are required under PA 8. However, there is a waiver of the match for PA 8: 

Match waiver: The match required at 34 U.S.C. 10616, is waived for grantees under PA 8. See 34 U.S.C. 

10616(a). Applicants are not required to submit a match waiver request. Any match amount proposed 

by an applicant and incorporated into an approved budget will be treated as a voluntary match and 

becomes mandatory and subject to audit. 

3. How can I find out what costs are allowable/unallowable? 

Please reference the OJP Financial Guide (https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview) to 

determine whether program costs are allowable or unallowable. 

FY 2024 

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4. What training and technical assistance requirements are associated with this award? 

OJJDP requires all newly awarded grantees to attend a mandatory orientation during the first year of the 

project. OJJDP also requires grantees to attend one two-day Healing to Wellness Enhancement Training 

during their project period. 

In addition, in the first year of the project, OJJDP will provide newly funded grantees mandatory 

intensive training and technical assistance to help them develop a comprehensive strategic plan and the 

capacity to collect and utilize performance management and program evaluation data. Within 12 

months of the first year of the grantee’s project period, OJJDP will require the grantee to submit an 

approved comprehensive strategic plan to implement, monitor, and sustain project goals and objectives 

and that documents the achievement of designated milestones. Please see the solicitation for more 

information, including how these requirements impact the applicant’s budget. 

5. What are the purpose area #8 reporting requirements? 

Federal regulations require that any financial assistance from the Federal Government be monitored to 

ensure that those funds are spent properly. Awarded agencies will be responsible for submitting semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly federal financial reports in JustGrants. 

To assist in fulfilling DOJ’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), 

P.L. 103–62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, P.L. 111–352, applicants that receive funding 

under this solicitation must provide data that measure the results of their work. 

6. Under purpose area #8, may youth 18 years of age or older receive services under the award? 

Yes. Because of the laws regarding underage (i.e., under 21) drinking that are active in every state, the 

programming in PA 8 may address youth under age 21. 

Purpose Area #9 - Tribal Youth Program (TYP) (OJJDP) 

1. What projects can be supported under this purpose area? 

OJJDP’s Tribal Youth Program (TYP) seeks to support and enhance tribal efforts to prevent and reduce 

juvenile delinquency and strengthen a fair and beneficial juvenile justice system response for American 

Indian and Alaska Native youth. The funding in this purpose area enables tribes to develop, expand, or 

strengthen approaches along the juvenile justice continuum that can range from prevention to 

intervention and treatment. This program helps tribes develop effective and equitable juvenile justice 

systems that create safer communities and empower youth to lead productive lives. Please see the 

solicitation for specific examples of prevention, intervention and treatment approaches that can be 

supported with Purpose Area 9 funding. 

2. Can we serve youth who are age 18 and over with the funding in this grant? 

The population of youth served under this award must be under the age of 21 at the time of entering 

the Tribal Youth Program. 

FY 2024 

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3. What categories of grant awards are funded under purpose area #9? 

Seeding Change Planning Grant (Category 1) 

This category will support a dedicated planning period for tribes to develop strategies to improve or 

enhance tribal juvenile justice systems that include prevention, intervention, and treatment programs 

and services for youth. This grant is intended for tribes that are new to receiving OJJDP funding for PA 9; 

therefore, tribes that have an active TYP PA 9 award at the time of application are not eligible to apply 

for this grant award. 

Cultivating Change Implementation Grant (Category 2) 

This category will support the implementation of a new Tribal Youth Program for tribes that are seeking 

funding to support programs, services, or system improvements. This grant is intended for tribes that 

have a plan to implement a Tribal Youth Program and do not have an OJJDP PA 9 award at the time of 

application. Tribes with an active OJJDP PA 9 award are not eligible for this award. Tribes that have a PA 

9 award with an end date in 2024 that are interested in applying for additional funding for their program 

should apply for an award in Category 3. 

Harvesting Change Enhancement/Expansion Grant (Category 3) to continue, expand, or enhance a 

current OJJDP-funded Tribal Youth Program. The only tribes that are eligible to apply for this Category 

are: 

• Tribes that have an OJJDP funded PA 9 award with a project period end date that occurs in 2024’ 

• Tribes that had an OJJDP funded PA 9 award that ended in 2023 and that did not apply for or 

receive a TYP award in FY 23. 

4. Can we propose programs that are not considered “evidence-based practices”? 

OJJDP recognizes that the opportunity to develop and implement tribal best practices, Indigenous 

practices that have longevity within tribal communities, and traditional healing methods to support 

tribal youth exist throughout the juvenile justice continuum. These approaches may be proposed as 

prevention, intervention, or treatment strategies and may be proposed alone or in combination with 

other approaches. 

FY 2024 

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5. Is there any mandatory travel that we must build into our proposed budget? 

Applicants must budget travel costs for attendance at the following PA 9–specific trainings: 

1. One 2-day required DOJ-wide CTAS new grantee orientation meeting in year 1 of the award. 

▪ For budgeting purposes, please include costs for attendance by two staff members 

designated with grant implementation, monitoring, and reporting at this 2-day meeting 

using Washington, D.C., as the location. 

2. Two OJJDP training events for two people for three days. OJJDP sponsors a biennial conference 

for programs that serve tribal youth. This conference will occur twice during the project period 

for this award. 

▪ For budgeting purposes, please use Washington, D.C., as the location for these conferences. 

3. Applicants have the ability to determine an additional PA 9–specific training event to budget to 

attend during any year of the five-year grant. There are many conferences that have Tribal 

Youth Program tracks or related content. 

▪ For budgeting purposes, please use Washington, D.C., as the location for these conferences. 

6. What performance measures should we use when we create our proposal for purpose area #9 

funding? 

In addition to collecting the appropriate project-specific data, grantees will be required to submit data 

to OJJDP for performance measurement. The specific performance measures can be found at 

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/performance-measures/performance-measures-tribal-youth-program.pdf. 

7. What training and technical assistance is associated with this award? 

OJJDP funds two training and technical assistance (T/TA) centers that work with programs for tribal 

youth. The Tribal Youth Resource Center can be found at https://www.tribalyouth.org/ and the Alaskaspecific TTA center can be found at https://www.resourcebasket.org. While the TTA centers cannot 

assist with proposal writing, they can assist with information and resources that may help your tribe in 

formulating your application. 

OJJDP provides newly funded grantees intensive training and technical assistance to help them develop 

a comprehensive strategic plan to launch, implement and sustain programs for tribal youth. In addition, 

they assist tribes in building capacity to collect and utilize performance management and program 

evaluation data. 

8. Are matching funds required? 

Matching funds are not required under any category of PA 9. 

FY 2024 

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9. What are the purpose area #9 reporting requirements? 

Federal regulations require that any financial assistance from the Federal Government be monitored to 

ensure that those funds are spent properly. Awarded agencies will be responsible for submitting semiannual programmatic progress reports and quarterly federal financial reports in JustGrants. 

To assist in fulfilling DOJ’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), 

P.L. 103–62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, P.L. 111–352, applicants that receive funding 

under this solicitation must provide data that measure the results of their work. After awards are made, 

DOJ staff will provide additional information about how data should be collected and reported. 

FY 2024 

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