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State Justice Institute Grant Program

FY2024 Grant Application Guide

Pursuant to the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10701, et seq.), the State Justice 

Institute (SJI) is authorized to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to state and 

local courts, nonprofit organizations, and others for the purpose of improving the quality of 

justice in the state courts of the United States. 

ELIGIBILITY

SJI is authorized by Congress to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to the 

following entities and types of organizations: 

• State and local courts and their agencies (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(A)). 

• National nonprofit organizations controlled by, operating in conjunction with, and 

serving the judicial branches of state governments (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(B)). 

• National nonprofit organizations for the education and training of judges and support 

personnel of the judicial branch of state governments (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(C)). An 

applicant is considered a national education and training applicant under section 

10705(b)(1)(C) if: 

1. The principal purpose or activity of the applicant is to provide education and 

training to state and local judges and court personnel; and 

2. The applicant demonstrates a record of substantial experience in the field of 

judicial education and training. 

• Other eligible grant recipients (42 U.S.C. 10705 (b)(2)(A)–(D)). 

a. Provided that the objectives of the project can be served better, the Institute is 

also authorized to make awards to: 

a. Nonprofit organizations with expertise in judicial administration 

b. Institutions of higher education 

c. Individuals, partnerships, firms, corporations (for-profit organizations 

must waive their fees) 

d. Private agencies with expertise in judicial administration 

b. SJI may also make awards to state or local agencies and institutions other than 

courts for services that cannot be adequately provided through 

nongovernmental arrangements (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(3)). 

 

SJI is prohibited from awarding grants to federal, tribal, and international courts.
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GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES

The SJI Board makes awards on a federal fiscal year quarterly basis. Applications may be 

submitted at any time but will only be considered for award based on the timetable below: 

Federal Fiscal Year 

Quarter

Application 

Due Date

1 1-Nov

2 1-Feb

3 1-May

4 1-Aug

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline noted 

above. Applicants must use the SJI Grants Management System (GMS) to submit all 

applications and post-award documents. The SJI GMS is accessible at https://gms.sji.gov. SJI 

urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date, in order 

to allow time for the applicant to receive an application acceptance message and to correct in a 

timely fashion any problems that may arise, such as missing or incomplete forms.

Questions related to the SJI Grant Program or the SJI GMS must be directed to contact@sji.gov. 
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Contents 

Eligibility .........................................................................................................................................1

Grant Application Deadlines............................................................................................................2

Program Description ........................................................................................................................4

Priority Investment Areas........................................................................................................... 4

Grant Types......................................................................................................................................7

Project Grant ............................................................................................................................... 8

Technical Assistance (TA) Grant................................................................................................ 8

Curriculum Adaptation and Training (CAT) Grant.................................................................... 8

Strategic Initiatives Grant (SIG)................................................................................................. 9

Education Support Program (ESP) for Judges and Court Managers.......................................... 9

Application and Submission Information ........................................................................................9

Application Components ............................................................................................................ 9

Application Review Information .............................................................................................. 21

Selection Criteria .................................................................................................................. 21

Review Process..................................................................................................................... 23

Notification of Board Decision............................................................................................. 23

Response to Notification of Award....................................................................................... 23

How to Apply.................................................................................................................................24

Submission Steps...................................................................................................................... 24

Post Award reporting requirements...............................................................................................24

Quarterly Reporting Requirements........................................................................................... 24

Request for Reimbursement of Funds....................................................................................... 25

Final Progress Report................................................................................................................ 25
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SJI was established by the State Justice Institute Authorization Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10701 et 

seq.) to improve the administration of justice in the state courts of the United States. 

Incorporated in the State of Virginia as a private, nonprofit corporation, SJI is charged, by 

statute, with the responsibility to: 

• Direct a national program of financial assistance designed to assure that each citizen of 

the United States is provided ready access to a fair and effective system of justice 

• Foster coordination and cooperation with the federal judiciary 

• Promote recognition of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine to an 

independent judiciary 

• Encourage education for judges and support personnel of state court systems through 

national and state organizations 

To accomplish these broad objectives, SJI is authorized to provide funding to state courts, 

national organizations which support and are supported by state courts, national judicial 

education organizations, and other organizations that can assist in improving the quality of 

justice in the state courts. 

Through the award of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, SJI is authorized to perform 

the following activities: 

• Support technical assistance, demonstrations, special projects, research and training to 

improve the administration of justice in the state courts 

• Provide for the preparation, publication, and dissemination of information regarding state 

judicial systems

• Participate in joint projects with federal agencies and other private grantors 

• Evaluate or provide for the evaluation of programs and projects to determine their impact 

upon the quality of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice and the extent to which they have 

contributed to improving the quality of justice in the state courts 

• Encourage and assist in furthering judicial education

• Encourage, assist, and serve in a consulting capacity to state and local courts in the 

development, maintenance, and coordination of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice 

programs and services

SJI is supervised by a Board of Directors appointed by the U.S. President, with the advice and 

consent of the U.S. Senate. The Board is statutorily composed of six judges; a state court 

administrator; and four members of the public, no more than two of the same political party. 

Additional information about SJI, including a list of members of the Board of Directors, is 

available at https://www.sji.gov/.

Priority Investment Areas

The SJI Board of Directors has established Priority Investment Areas for grant funding. SJI will 

allocate significant financial resources through grant-making for these Priority Investment Areas. 

The Priority Investment Areas are applicable to all grant types. SJI strongly encourages potential 
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grant applicants to consider projects addressing one or more of these Priority Investment Areas 

and to integrate the following factors into each proposed project: 

➢ Evidence based, data-driven decision making

➢ Cross sector collaboration

➢ Systemic approaches (as opposed to standalone programs)

➢ Institutionalization of new court processes and procedures

➢ Ease of replication

➢ Sustainability

For FY 2024, the Priority Investment Areas are listed below in no specific order.

Opioids and Other Dangerous Drugs, and Behavioral Health Responses

➢ Behavioral Health Disparities – Research indicates that justice involved persons have 

significantly greater proportions of mental, substance use, and co-occurring disorders 

than are found in the public. SJI supports cross-sector collaboration and information 

sharing that emphasizes policies and practices designed to improve court responses to 

justice-involved persons with behavioral health and other co-occurring needs. 

➢ Trauma-Informed Approaches – Judges, court staff, system stakeholders and courtinvolved persons (defendants, respondents, and victims) alike may be impacted by prior 

trauma. This is particularly, but not exclusively, true for those with mental illness and/or 

substance use disorders. SJI supports trauma-informed training, policies and practices in 

all aspects of the judicial process. 

Promoting Access to Justice and Procedural Fairness

➢ Procedural Fairness – A fundamental role of courts is to ensure fair processes and just 

outcomes for litigants. SJI promotes the integration of research-based procedural fairness 

principles, policies, and practices into state court operations to increase public trust and 

confidence in the court system, reduce recidivism, and increase compliance with court 

orders.

➢ Self-Represented Litigation - SJI promotes court-based solutions to address increases in 

self-represented litigants; specifically making courts more user-friendly by simplifying 

court forms, providing one-on-one assistance, developing guides, handbooks, and 

instructions on how to proceed, developing court-based self-help centers, and using 

Internet technologies to increase access. These projects are improving outcomes for 

litigants and saving valuable court resources.

➢ Language Access - SJI supports language access in the state courts through remote 

interpretation (outside the courtroom), interpreter training and certification, courtroom 

services (plain language forms, websites, etc.), and addressing the requirements of Title 

VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
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Reducing Disparities and Protecting Victims, Underserved, and Vulnerable Populations

➢ Disparities in Justice – SJI supports research and data-driven approaches that examine 

statutory requirements, policies, and practices that result in disparities for justiceinvolved persons. These disparities can be because of inequities in socio-economic, 

racial, ethnic, gender, age, health, or other factors. In addition to identifying disparities, 

SJI promotes systemic approaches to reducing disparities. 

➢ Human Trafficking - SJI addresses the impact of federal and state human trafficking laws 

on the state courts, and the challenges faced by state courts in dealing with cases 

involving trafficking victims and their families. These efforts are intended to empower 

state courts to identify victims, link them with vital services, and hold traffickers 

accountable. 

➢ Rural Justice – Rural areas and their justice systems routinely have fewer resources and 

more barriers than their urban counterparts, such as availability of services, lack of 

transportation, and smaller workforces. Programs and practices that are effective in 

urban areas are often inappropriate and or lack supported research for implementation in 

rural areas. SJI supports rural courts by identifying promising and best practices, and 

promoting resources, education, and training opportunities uniquely designed for rural 

courts and court users. 

➢ Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Elder Issues - SJI assists courts in improving court 

oversight of guardians and conservators for the elderly and incapacitated adults through 

visitor programs, electronic reporting, and training.

Advancing Justice Reform 

➢ Criminal Justice Reform - SJI assists state courts in taking a leadership role in reviewing 

fines, fees, and bail practices to ensure processes are fair and access to justice is assured; 

implementing alternative forms of sanction; developing processes for indigency review; 

promoting transparency, governance, and structural reforms that promote access to 

justice, accountability, and oversight; and implementing innovative diversion and reentry programs that serve to improve outcomes for justice-involved persons and the 

justice system.

 

➢ Juvenile Justice Reform - SJI supports innovative projects that advance best practices in 

handling dependency and delinquency cases; promote effective court oversight of 

juveniles in the justice system; address the impact of trauma on juvenile behavior; assist 

the courts in identification of appropriate provision of services for juveniles; and address 

juvenile re-entry. 

➢ Family and Civil Justice Reform - SJI promotes court-based solutions for the myriad of 

civil case types, such as domestic relations, housing, employment, debt collection, which 

are overwhelming court dockets.
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Transforming Courts

➢ Emergency Response and Recovery - Courts must be prepared for natural disasters and 

public health emergencies and institutionalize the most effective and efficient practices 

and processes that evolve during response and recovery. SJI supports projects that look to 

the future of judicial service delivery by identifying and replicating innovations and alternate 

means of conducting court business due to public health emergencies such as pandemics, and 

natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.

➢ Cybersecurity – Courts must also be prepared for cyberattacks on court systems, such as 

denial of service and ransomware attacks on court case management systems, websites, 

and other critical information technology infrastructure. SJI supports projects that assist 

courts in preparing for, and responding to, these attacks, and share lessons-learned to 

courts across the United States.

➢ Technology – Courts must integrate technological advances1into daily judicial processes 

and proceedings. SJI supports projects that institutionalize the innovative technology that 

has successfully advanced the use of electronic filing and payment systems, online 

dispute resolution, remote work, and virtual court proceedings. SJI promotes projects 

that streamline case filing and management processes, thereby reducing time and costs to 

litigants and the courts; provide online access to courts to litigants so that disputes can be 

resolved more efficiently; and make structural changes to court services that enable them 

to evolve into an online environment. Additionally, SJI supports the examination of 

potential integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into court processes, including 

identification of positive outcomes and potential limitations of AI.

➢ Strategic Planning – Courts must rely on a deliberate process to determine organizational 

values, mission, vision, goals, and objectives. SJI promotes structured planning 

processes and organizational assessments to assist courts in setting priorities, allocating 

resources, and identifying areas for on-going improvements in efficiency and 

effectiveness. Strategic planning includes elements of court governance, data collection, 

management, analysis, sharing; and sustainable court governance models that drive 

decision-making. Strategic plans and outcomes must be communicated to judges, court 

staff, justice partners, and the public.

➢ Training, Education, and Workforce Development – State courts require a workforce that 

is adaptable to public demands for services. SJI supports projects that focus on the tools 

needed to enable judges, court managers, and staff to be innovative, forward thinking 

court leaders.

GRANT TYPES

SJI supports five types of grants: Project, Technical Assistance (TA), Curriculum Adaptation and 

Training (CAT), Strategic Initiatives Grants (SIG) Program, and the Education Support Program 

(ESP). A brief description of each type of grant is below.

1 See guidance on unallowable uses of SJI funds regarding equipment, software, and internet access.
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Project Grant 

Project Grants are intended to support innovative education and training, research and 

evaluation, demonstration, and technical assistance projects that can improve the administration 

of justice in state courts locally or nationwide. State court applicants may request up to $300,000 

for 36 months. Local court applicants may request up to $200,000 for 24 months. Examples of 

expenses not covered by Project Grants include the salaries, benefits, or travel of full-or parttime court employees. Funding may not be used for the ordinary, routine operations of court 

systems.

All applicants for Project Grants must contribute a cash match greater than or equal to the SJI 

award amount. This means that grant awards by SJI must be matched at least dollar for dollar by 

grant applicants. Applicants may contribute the required cash match directly or in cooperation 

with third parties. Funding from other federal departments or agencies may not be used for cash 

match. 

Technical Assistance (TA) Grant 

TA Grants are intended to provide state or local courts, or regional court associations, with 

sufficient support to obtain expert assistance to diagnose a problem, develop a response to that 

problem, and implement any needed changes. TA Grants may not exceed $75,000 and 12 

months in duration. In calculating project duration, applicants are cautioned to fully consider the 

time required to issue a request for proposals, negotiate a contract with the selected provider, and 

execute the project. Funds may not be used for salaries, benefits, or travel of full-or part-time 

court employees. 

Applicants for TA Grants are required to contribute a total match (cash and in-kind) of not less 

than 50 percent of the SJI award amount, of which 20 percent must be cash. For example, an 

applicant seeking a $50,000 TA grant must provide a $25,000 match, of which up to $20,000 can 

be in-kind and not less than $5,000 must be cash. Funding from other federal departments and 

agencies may not be used for cash match. 

Curriculum Adaptation and Training (CAT) Grant 

CAT Grants are intended to: 1) Enable courts or national court associations to modify and adapt 

model curricula, course modules, or conference programs to meet states’ or local jurisdictions’ 

educational needs; train instructors to present portions or all of the curricula; and pilot-test them 

to determine their appropriateness, quality, and effectiveness, or 2) conduct judicial branch 

education and training programs, led by either expert or in-house personnel, designed to prepare 

judges and court personnel for innovations, reforms, and/or new technologies recently adopted 

by grantee courts. CAT Grants may not exceed $40,000 and 12 months in duration. Examples 

of expenses not covered by CAT Grants include the salaries, benefits, or travel of full-or parttime court employees. 

Applicants for CAT Grants are required to contribute a total match (cash and in-kind) of not less 

than 50 percent of the SJI award amount, of which 20 percent must be cash. For example, an 

applicant seeking a $30,000 CAT grant must provide a $15,000 match, of which up to $12,000 
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can be in-kind and not less than $3,000 must be cash. Funding from other federal departments 

and agencies may not be used for cash match. 

Strategic Initiatives Grant (SIG)

The SIG program provides SJI with the flexibility to address national court issues as they occur 

and develop solutions to those problems. This is an innovative approach where SJI uses its 

expertise and the expertise and knowledge of its grantees to address key issues facing state courts 

across the United States.

The funding is used for grants or contractual services and is handled at the discretion of the SJI 

Board of Directors and staff. SJI requires the submission of a concept paper prior to the full 

application process. Only applicants that submit an approved concept paper will be invited to 

submit a full application for funding. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact SJI 

prior to submitting a concept paper for guidance on this initial step.

Education Support Program (ESP) for Judges and Court Managers 

The Education Support Program (ESP) is intended to enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities 

of state court judges and court managers by enabling them to attend out-of-state, or to enroll in 

online, educational and training programs sponsored by national and state providers that they 

could not otherwise attend or take online because of limited state, local, and personal budgets. 

The program only covers the cost of tuition up to a maximum of $1,000 per course. 

The ESP is administered by the National Judicial College (NJC) and the National Center for 

State Courts/Institute for Court Management (ICM), in partnership with SJI. For NJC courses, 

register online at www.judges.org/courses. For ICM courses, register online at 

https://www.ncsc.org/education-and-careers/icm-courses. During the respective registration 

processes, each website will ask if you need a scholarship to participate. Follow the online 

instructions to request tuition assistance.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This section describes in detail what an applicationmust include. An applicant should anticipate 

that if it fails to submit an application that contains all the specified project components, it may 

negatively affect the review of the application. Applicants must use the SJI GMS to submit all 

applications and post-award documents. The SJI GMS is accessible at https://gms.sji.gov. 

Application Components

Applicants for SJI Grants must submit the following forms and/or documents via the SJI GMS:

1. Application Form (Form A): The application form requests basic 

information regarding the proposed project, the applicant, and the total amount 

of funding requested from SJI. It also requires the signature of an individual 

authorized to certify on behalf of the applicant that the information contained 

in the application is true and complete; that submission of the application has 

been authorized by the applicant; and that if funding for the proposed project is 
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approved, the applicant will comply with the requirements and conditions of 

the award, including the assurances set forth in Form D below.

2. Certificate of State Approval (Form B): An application from a state or local 

court must include a copy of Form B signed by the state’s chief justice or state 

court administrator. The signature denotes that the proposed project has been 

approved by the state’s highest court or the agency or council it has 

designated. It denotes further that, if applicable, a cash match reduction has 

been requested, and that if SJI approves funding for the project, the court or 

the specified designee will receive, administer, and be accountable for the 

awarded funds. 

3. Budget Form (Form C): Applicants must provide a detailed budget and a 

budget narrative providing an explanation of the basis for the amounts in each 

budget category. If funds from other sources are required to conduct the 

project, either as match or to support other aspects of the project, the source, 

current status of the request, and anticipated decision date must be provided. 

4. Assurances (Form D): Form D lists the statutory, regulatory, and policy 

requirements with which recipients of SJI funds must comply. 

5. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Form E): Applicants are required to 

disclose whether they, or another entity that is part of the same organization as 

the applicant, have advocated a position before Congress on any issue, and to 

identify the specific subjects of their lobbying efforts.

6. Project Abstract: The abstract musthighlight the purposes, goals, methods, 

and anticipated benefits of the proposed project. It must not exceed 1 singlespaced page and must be uploaded on the ‘Attachments’ tab in GMS.

7. Program Narrative: The program narrative for an application may not 

exceed 25 double-spaced pages on 81⁄2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins, 

using a standard 12-point font. The pages must be numbered. This page limit 

does not include the forms, the abstract, the budget narrative, and any 

additional attachments. The program narrative must address the following, 

noting any specific areas to address by grant type:

a. Statement of Need: The applicant must explain the critical need facing the 

applicant, and how SJI funds will enable the applicant to meet this critical need. 

The applicant must also explain why state or local resources are not sufficient to 

fully support the costs of the project. 

The applicant must provide a verified source for the data that supports the 

statement of the problem (i.e., federal, state, and local databases).The discussion 

must include specific references to the relevant literature and to the experience in 

the field. SJI continues to make all grant reports and most grant products 
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available online through the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Library and 

Digital Archive. Applicants are required to conduct a search of the NCSC Library 

and Digital Archive on the topic areas they are addressing. This search must

include SJI-funded grants, and previous projects not supported by SJI. Searches 

for SJI grant reports and other state court resources begin with the NCSC Library 

section. Applicants must discuss the results of their research; how they plan to 

incorporate the previous work into their proposed project; and if the project will 

differentiate from prior work.

i. Project grants: If the project is to be conducted in any specific 

location(s), the applicant must discuss the particular needs of the project 

site(s) to be addressed by the project and why those needs are not being 

met through the use of existing programs, procedures, services, or other 

resources. 

If the project is not site-specific, the applicant must discuss the problems 

that the proposed project would address, and why existing programs, 

procedures, services, or other resources cannot adequately resolve those 

problems. In addition, the applicant must describe how, if applicable, the 

project will be sustained in the future through existing resources.

ii. TA grants: The applicant must explain why state or local resources are 

unable to fully support the modification and presentation of the model 

curriculum. The applicant must also describe the potential for replicating 

or integrating the adapted curriculum in the future using state or local 

funds once it has been successfully adapted and tested. In addition, the 

applicant must describe how, if applicable, the project will be sustained in 

the future through existing resources.

iii. CAT grants (curriculum adaptation): The applicant must explain why

state or local resources are unable to fully support the modification and

presentation of the model curriculum. The applicant must also describe the 

potential for replicating or integrating the adapted curriculum in the future

using state or local funds once it has been successfully adapted and tested.

iv. CAT grant (training): The applicant must describe the court reform or 

initiative prompting the need for training. The applicant must also discuss 

how the proposed training will help the applicant implement planned 

changes at the court, and why state or local resources are not sufficient to 

fully support the costs of the required training. 

v. SIG grants: Applicants must detail the origin of the project (i.e., requested 

by SJI or a request to SJI) and provide a detailed description about the 

issue of national impact the proposed project will address, including any 

evaluations, reports, resolutions, or other data to support the need 

statement.
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b. Project Description and Objectives: The applicant must include a clear, concise 

statement of what the proposed project is intended to accomplish and how those 

objectives will be met. The applicant must delineate the tasks to be performed in 

achieving the project objectives and the methods to be used for accomplishing 

each task. 

The applicant must describe how the proposed project addresses one or more 

Priority Investment Areas. If the project does not address one or more Priority 

Investment Areas, the applicant must provide an explanation why not.

i. Project grants: The applicant must include detailed descriptions of tasks, 

methods, and evaluations. For example:

• Research and evaluation projects: The applicant must include the data 

sources, data collection strategies, variables to be examined, and 

analytic procedures to be used for conducting the research or 

evaluation and ensuring the validity and general applicability of the 

results. For projects involving human subjects, the discussion of 

methods must address the procedures for obtaining respondents’ 

informed consent, ensuring the respondents’ privacy and freedom from 

risk or harm, and protecting others who are not the subjects of research 

but would be affected by the research. If the potential exists for risk or 

harm to human subjects, a discussion must be included that explains 

the value of the proposed research and the methods to be used to 

minimize or eliminate such risk. Refer to the Human Subject 

Protection section of the SJI Grant Management Guide for additional 

information. 

• Education and training projects: The applicant must include the adult 

education techniques to be used in designing and presenting the 

program, including the teaching/ learning objectives of the educational 

design, the teaching methods to be used, and the opportunities for 

structured interaction among the participants; how faculty would be 

recruited, selected, and trained; the proposed number and length of the 

conferences, courses, seminars, or workshops to be conducted and the 

estimated number of persons who would attend them; the materials to 

be provided and how they would be developed; and the cost to 

participants. 

• Demonstration projects: The applicant must include the demonstration 

sites and the reasons they were selected, or if the sites have not been 

chosen, how they would be identified and their cooperation obtained; 

and how the program or procedures would be implemented and 

monitored. 
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• Technical assistance projects: The applicant must explain the types of 

assistance that would be provided; the particular issues and problems 

for which assistance would be provided; the type of assistance 

determined; how suitable providers would be selected and briefed; and 

how reports would be reviewed. 

ii. TA grants: The applicant must identify which organization or individual 

will be hired to provide the assistance, and how the consultant was 

selected. The applicant must describe the tasks the consultant will 

perform, and how the tasks will be accomplished. The applicant must

address the following questions:

• What specific tasks will the consultant(s) and court staff undertake? 

• What is the schedule for completion of each required task and the 

entire project? 

• How will the applicant oversee the project and provide guidance to the 

consultant, and who at the court or regional court association would be 

responsible for coordinating all project tasks and submitting quarterly 

progress and financial status reports?

• If a consultant has not yet been identified, the applicant must describe 

the procedures and criteria that will be used to select the consultant 

(applicants are expected to follow their jurisdictions’ normal 

procedures for procuring consultant services)? 

• If the consultant has been identified, the applicant must provide a letter 

from that individual or organization documenting interest in and 

availability for the project, as well as the consultant’s ability to 

complete the assignment within the proposed time frame and for the 

proposed cost. The consultant must agree to submit a detailed written 

report to the court and SJI upon completion of the technical assistance. 

The applicant must describe the steps have been or will be taken to 

facilitate implementation of the consultant’s recommendations upon 

completion of the technical assistance.

iii. CAT grants (curriculum adaptation): The applicant must provide the title 

of the curriculum that will be adapted and identify the entity that originally 

developed the curriculum. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between 

the potential award date and the date of the proposed program to allow 

sufficient time for planning. This period of time must be reflected in the 

project timeline. The applicant must also address the following questions: 

• Why is this education program needed at the present time? 

• What are the project’s goals? 

• What are the learning objectives of the adapted curriculum? 
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• What program components would be implemented, and what types of 

modifications, if any, are anticipated in length, format, learning 

objectives, teaching methods, or content? 

• Who would be responsible for adapting the model curriculum? 

• Who would the participants be, how many would there be, how would 

they be recruited, and from where would they come (e.g., from a single 

local jurisdiction, from across the state, from a multi-state region, from 

across the nation)? 

The applicant must provide the proposed timeline, including the project 

start and end dates, the date(s) the judicial branch education program will 

be presented, and the process that will be used to modify and present the 

program. The applicant must also identify who will serve as faculty, and 

how they were selected, in addition to the measures taken to facilitate 

subsequent presentations of the program. 

iv. CAT grants (training): The applicant must identify the tasks the trainer(s) 

will be expected to perform, which organization or individual will be 

hired, and, if in-house personnel are not the trainers, how the trainer will 

be selected. If a trainer has not yet been identified, the applicant must 

describe the procedures and criteria that will be used to select the trainer. 

In addition, the applicant must address the following questions: 

• What specific tasks would the trainer and court staff or regional court 

association members undertake? 

• What presentation methods will be used? 

• What is the schedule for completion of each required task and the 

entire project? 

• How will the applicant oversee the project and provide guidance to the 

trainer, and who at the court or affiliated with the regional court 

association would be responsible for coordinating all project tasks and 

submitting quarterly progress and financial status reports? 

• If the trainer has been identified, the applicant must provide a letter 

from that individual or organization documenting interest in and 

availability for the project, as well as the trainer’s ability to complete 

the assignment within the proposed time frame and for the proposed 

cost.

The applicant must explain what steps have been or will be taken to 

coordinate the implementation of the training. For example, if the support 

or cooperation of specific court or regional court association officials or 

committees, other agencies, funding bodies, organizations, or a court other 

than the applicant will be needed to adopt the reform and initiate the 

training proposed, how will the applicant secure their involvement in the 

development and implementation of the training? 
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v. SIG grants: The applicant must expand upon the project description and 

objectives described in the approved concept paper. Any and all feedback 

and questions submitted by the Board and SJI Staff during the review of 

the concept paper must also be incorporated into the project design. 

c. Dissemination Plan: The application must explain how and to whom the 

products would be disseminated; describe how they would benefit the state courts, 

including how they could be used by judges and court personnel; identify 

development, production, and dissemination costs covered by the project budget; 

and present the basis on which products and services developed or provided under 

the grant would be offered to the court community and the public at large (i.e., 

whether products would be distributed at no cost to recipients, or if costs are 

involved, the reason for charging recipients and the estimated price of the 

product). Ordinarily, applicants must schedule all product preparation and 

distribution activities within the project period. 

The type of product to be prepared depends on the nature of the project. For 

example, in most instances, the products of a research, evaluation, or 

demonstration project must include an article summarizing the project findings 

that is publishable in a journal serving the courts community nationally, an 

executive summary that would be disseminated to the project’s primary audience, 

or both. Applicants proposing to conduct empirical research or evaluation 

projects with national import must describe how they would make their data 

available for secondary analysis after the grant period.

The curricula and other products developed through education and training 

projects must be designed for use by others and again by the original participants 

in the course of their duties. Applicants proposing to develop web-based products 

must provide for sending a notice and description of the document to the 

appropriate audiences to alert them to the availability of the website or electronic 

product (i.e., a written report with a reference to the web site). 

Applicants must submit a final draft of all written grant products to SJI for review 

and approval at least 30 days before the products are submitted for publication or 

reproduction. For products in website or multimedia format, applicants must 

provide for SJI review of the product at the treatment, script, rough-cut, and final 

stages of development, or their equivalents. No grant funds may be obligated for 

publication or reproduction of a final grant product without the written approval 

of SJI. Project products must be submitted to SJI in electronically in HTML or 

PDF format.

Applicants must also include in all project products a prominent acknowledgment 

that support was received from SJI and a disclaimer paragraph such as ‘‘This 

[document, film, videotape, etc.] was developed under [grant/cooperative 

agreement] number SJI–[insert number] from the State Justice Institute. The 

points of view expressed are those of the [author(s), filmmaker(s), etc.] and do not 
9/29/2023 16

necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice 

Institute.’’ The ‘‘SJI’’ logo must appear on the front cover of a written product, or 

in the opening frames of a website or other multimedia product, unless SJI 

approves another placement. The SJI logo can be downloaded from SJI’s website 

at the bottom of the Grants page. 

d. Staff Capability and Organizational Capacity: An applicant that is not a state 

or local court and has not received a grant from SJI within the past three years 

must indicate whether it is either a national non-profit organization controlled by, 

operating in conjunction with, and serving the judicial branches of state 

governments, or a national non-profit organization for the education and training 

of state court judges and support personnel. If the applicant is a non-judicial unit 

of federal, state, or local government, it must explain whether the proposed 

services could be adequately provided by non-governmental entities. 

Applicants that have not received a grant from SJI within the past three years 

must include a statement describing their capacity to administer grant funds, 

including the financial systems used to monitor project expenditures (and income, 

if any), and a summary of their past experience in administering grants, as well as 

any resources or capabilities that they have that would particularly assist in the 

successful completion of the project. 

Unless requested otherwise, an applicant that has received a grant from SJI within 

the past three years must describe only the changes in its organizational capacity, 

tax status, or financial capability that may affect its capacity to administer a grant. 

If the applicant is a non-profit organization (other than a university), it must also 

provide documentation of its 501(c) tax-exempt status as determined by the 

Internal Revenue Service and a copy of a current certified audit report. For 

purposes of this requirement, ‘‘current’’ means no earlier than two years prior to 

the present calendar year.

The applicant must include a summary of the training and experience of the key 

staff members and consultants that qualify them for conducting and managing the 

proposed project. Resumes of identified staff must be attached to the application. 

If one or more key staff members and consultants are not known at the time of the 

application, a description of the criteria that would be used to select persons for 

these positions must be included. The applicant also must identify the person who 

would be responsible for managing and reporting on the financial aspects of the 

proposed project.

e. Evaluation: Projects must include an evaluation plan to determine whether the 

project met its objectives. The evaluation must be designed to provide an 

objective and independent assessment of the effectiveness or usefulness of the 

training or services provided; the impact of the procedures, technology, or 

services tested; or the validity and applicability of the research conducted. The 
9/29/2023 17

evaluation plan must be appropriate to the type of project proposed considering

the nature, scope, and magnitude of the project.

f. Sustainability: Describe how the project will be sustained after SJI assistance 

ends. The sustainability plan must describe how current collaborations and 

evaluations will be used to leverage ongoing resources. SJI encourages applicants 

to ensure sustainability by coordinating with local, state, and other federal 

resources.

8. Budget and Matching State Contribution: Applicants must complete a budget in the 

SJI GMS and upload a budget narrative. The budget narrative must provide the basis for 

all project-related costs and the sources of any match, as required. The budget narrative 

must thoroughly and clearly describe every category of expense listed. SJI expects 

proposed budgets to be complete, cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, 

allocable, and necessary for project activities).
9/29/2023 18

i. Personnel: No grant funds or cash match may be used to pay the salary and 

related costs for a current or new employee of a court or other unit of 

government because such funds would constitute a supplantation of state or local 

funds in violation of 42 U.S.C. 10706(d)(1); this includes new employees hired 

specifically for the project. The salary and any related costs for a current or new 

employee of a court or other unit of government may only be accepted as in-kind 

match. For non-court or other unit of government applicants, the application

must set forth the percentages of time to be devoted by the individuals who 

Prohibited uses of SJI funds

To ensure that funds made available under this chapter are used to supplement and 

improve the operation of State courts, rather than to support basic court services, funds 

shall not be used—

(1) to supplant State or local funds currently supporting a program or activity; or

(2) to construct court facilities or structures, except to remodel existing facilities to 

demonstrate new architectural or technological techniques, or to provide temporary 

facilities for new personnel or for personnel involved in a demonstration or 

experimental program.

Examples of basic court services include:

• Hiring of personnel

• Purchase and/or maintenance of equipment

• Purchase of software and/or licenses

• Purchase of internet access or service

• Supplies to support the day-to-day operations of courts

The final determination of what constitutes basic court services is made by SJI and is not 

negotiable. Applicants are encouraged to contact SJI Staff to discuss any questions related 

to this section prior to or during the application process.

Likewise, meals and refreshments are generally not allowable costs unless the applicant or 

grantee obtains written prior approval from SJI. This applies to all awards, including 

contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. In general, SJI may approve such costs 

only in very rare instances where: 

➢ Sustenance is not otherwise available (e.g., extremely remote areas); 

➢ The size of the event and nearby food/beverage vendors would make it impractical 

to not provide meals and/or refreshments; and/or 

➢ A special presentation at a conference requires a plenary address where there is no 

other time for sustenance to be obtained. 

Trinkets (items such as hats, mugs, portfolios, t-shirts, coins, gift bags, gift cards, etc.) 

may not be purchased with SJI grant funding.
9/29/2023 19

would staff the proposed project, the annual salary of each of those persons, and 

the number of work days per year used for calculating the percentages of time or 

daily rates of those individuals. The applicant must explain any deviations from 

current rates or established written organizational policies. 

ii. Fringe Benefit Computation: For non-governmental entities, the applicant must

provide a description of the fringe benefits provided to employees. If 

percentages are used, the authority for such use must be presented, as well as a 

description of the elements included in the determination of the percentage rate. 

iii. Consultant/Contractual Services and Honoraria: The applicant mustdescribe 

the tasks each consultant would perform, the total amount to be paid to each 

consultant, the basis for compensation rates (e.g., the number of days multiplied 

by the daily consultant rates), and the method for selection. Prior written SJI 

approval is required for any consultant rate in excess of $800 per day; SJI funds 

may not be used to pay a consultant more than $1,100 per day. Honorarium 

payments must be justified in the same manner as consultant payments. 

iv. Travel: Transportation costs and per diem rates must comply with the policies of 

the applicant organization. If the applicant does not have an established travel 

policy, then travel rates must be consistent with those established by the federal 

government. The budget narrative must include an explanation of the rate used, 

including the components of the per diem rate and the basis for the transportation 

expenses. The purpose of the travel must also be included in the narrative. 

v. Equipment: Grant funds cannot be used strictly for the purpose of purchasing 

equipment. Equipment purchases to support basic court operations will not be 

approved. In limited instances, grant funds may be used to purchase only the 

equipment necessary to demonstrate a new technological application in a court. 

The applicant must describe the equipment to be purchased or leased and explain 

why the acquisition of that equipment is essential to accomplish the project’s 

goals and objectives. The narrative must clearly identify which equipment is to 

be leased and which is to be purchased. The method of procurement must also 

be described. 

vi. Supplies: Supplies cannot be purchased to support the day-to-day operations of a 

court. The applicant must provide a general description of the supplies necessary 

to accomplish the goals and objectives of the grant. In addition, the applicant 

must provide the basis for the amount requested for this expenditure category. 

vii. Construction: Construction expenses are prohibited. 

viii. Postage: Postage costs for project-related mailings, including distribution of the 

final product(s), must be described in the budget narrative. The cost of special 

mailings, such as for a survey or for announcing a workshop, must be 

distinguished from routine mailing costs. The basis for all postage must be 
9/29/2023 20

included in the budget narrative. Electronic dissemination of information is 

preferred, therefore, funds for postage must be minimal.

ix. Printing/Photocopying: Costs for printing or photocopying project documents, 

reports, and publications must be included in the budget narrative, along with the 

basis used to calculate these amounts. Electronic dissemination of information is 

preferred, therefore, funds for printing/photocopying must be minimal.

x. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are only applicable to organizations that are not 

state courts or government agencies. Recoverable indirect costs are limited to no 

more than 75 percent of a grantee’s direct personnel costs, i.e. salaries plus fringe 

benefits. Applicants must describe the indirect cost rates applicable to the grant 

in detail. If costs often included within an indirect cost rate are charged directly 

(e.g., a percentage of the time of senior managers to supervise project activities), 

the applicant must specify that these costs are not included within its approved 

indirect cost rate. If the applicant has an indirect cost rate or allocation plan 

approved by any federal granting agency, a copy of the approved rate agreement 

must be attached to the application. Refer to the SJI Grant Management Guide

for additional details.

xi. Matching Requirements: SJI grants require cash and/or in-kind matches as 

outlined below. A match is the portion of project costs not borne by SJI. Match 

includes both cash and in-kind contributions. Cash match is the direct outlay of 

funds by the grantee or a third party to support the project. Other federal 

department and agency funding may not be used for cash match. In-kind match 

consists of contributions of time and/or services of current staff members, new 

employees, space, supplies, etc., made to the project by the grantee or others 

(e.g., advisory board members) working directly on the project or that portion of 

the grantee’s federally-approved indirect cost rate that exceeds the limit of 

permitted charges (75 percent of salaries and benefits). 

The grantee is responsible for ensuring that the total amount of match proposed 

is contributed. If a proposed contribution is not fully met, SJI may reduce the 

award amount accordingly, to maintain the ratio originally provided for in the 

award agreement. Match must be expended at the same rate as SJI funding.

1) Project grants: All applicants for Project Grants must contribute a cash 

match greater than or equal to the SJI award amount. This means that 

grant awards by SJI must be matched at least dollar for dollar by grant 

applicants. For example, if the total proposed project is $200,000, SJI 

provides $100,000 in funds and the applicant match must be at least 

$100,000. Applicants may contribute the required cash match directly or 

in cooperation with third parties. 

2) TA grants: Applicants for TA Grants are required to contribute a total 

match (cash and in-kind) of not less than 50 percent of the SJI award 
9/29/2023 21

amount, of which 20 percent must be cash. For example, an applicant 

seeking a $50,000 TA grant must provide a $25,000 match, of which up 

to $20,000 can be in-kind and not less than $5,000 must be cash. 

3) CAT grants: Applicants for TA Grants are required to contribute a total 

match (cash and in-kind) of not less than 50 percent of the SJI award 

amount, of which 20 percent must be cash. For example, an applicant 

seeking a $30,000 CAT grant must provide a $15,000 match, of which up 

to $12,000 can be in-kind and not less than $3,000 must be cash. 

4) SIG grants: State and local courts and non-court units of government

must provide a dollar for dollar cash match for SIG Projects. Matching 

funds may not be required for SIG projects that are awarded to non-court 

or non-governmental entities.

9. Letters of Support: If the support or cooperation of agencies, funding bodies, 

organizations, or courts other than the applicant would be needed in order for the 

consultant to perform the required tasks, written assurances of such support or 

cooperation must accompany the application letter. Applicants may also submit 

memorandums of agreement/understanding, as appropriate.

10. Project Timeline: A Project Timeline detailing each project objective, activity, 

expected completion date, and responsible person or organization must be included. The 

plan must include the starting and completion date for each task; the time commitments 

to the project of key staff and their responsibilities regarding each project task; and the 

procedures that would ensure that all tasks are performed on time, within budget, and at 

the highest level of quality. In preparing the project timeline, applicants must make 

certain that all project activities, including publication or reproduction of project 

products and their initial dissemination, would occur within the proposed project period. 

The timeline must also provide for the submission of Quarterly Progress and Financial 

Reports within 30 days after the close of each calendar quarter as well as submission of 

all final closeout documents. The project timeline may be included in the program 

narrative or provided as a separate attachment.

11. Other Attachments: Resumes of key project staff may also be included. Additional 

background material must be attached only if it is essential to impart a clear 

understanding of the proposed project. Numerous and lengthy appendices are strongly 

discouraged. 

Application Review Information

Selection Criteria

In addition to the criteria detailed below, SJI will consider whether the applicant is a state or 

local court, a national court support or education organization, a non-court unit of government, 

or other type of entity eligible to receive grants under SJI’s enabling legislation; the availability 

of financial assistance from other sources for the project; the diversity of subject matter, 
9/29/2023 22

geographic diversity; the level and nature of the match that would be provided; reasonableness of 

the proposed budget; the extent to which the proposed project would also benefit the federal 

courts or help state or local courts enforce federal constitutional and legislative requirements; 

and the level of appropriations available to SJI in the current year and the amount expected to be 

available in succeeding fiscal years, when determining which projects to support. 

Project Grant Applications 

Project Grant applications will be rated based on the criteria set forth below:

1. Soundness of the methodology 

2. Demonstration of need for the project 

3. Appropriateness of the proposed evaluation design 

4. If applicable, the key findings and recommendations of the most recent evaluation 

and the proposed responses to those findings and recommendations 

5. Applicant’s management plan and organizational capabilities 

6. Qualifications of the project’s staff 

7. Products and benefits resulting from the project, including the extent to which the 

project will have long-term benefits for state courts across the nation 

8. Degree to which the findings, procedures, training, technology, or other results of the 

project can be transferred to other jurisdictions 

9. Reasonableness of the proposed budget 

10. Demonstration of cooperation and support of other agencies that may be affected by 

the project 

Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Applications 

TA Grant applications will be rated based on the following criteria: 

1. Whether the assistance would address a critical need of the applicant 

2. Soundness of the technical assistance approach to the problem 

3. Qualifications of the consultant(s) to be hired or the specific criteria that will be used to 

select the consultant(s) 

4. Commitment of the court or association to act on the consultant’s recommendations 

5. Reasonableness of the proposed budget 

Curriculum Adaptation and Training (CAT) Grant Applications 

CAT Grant applications will be rated based on the following criteria:

1. Goals and objectives of the proposed project

2. How the training would address a critical need of the court or association

3. Need for outside funding to support the program

4. Soundness of the approach in achieving the project’s educational or training objectives

5. Integration of distance learning and technology in project design and delivery

6. Qualifications of the trainer(s) to be hired or the specific criteria that will be used to 

select the trainer(s) (training project)
9/29/2023 23

7. Likelihood of effective implementation and integration of the modified curriculum into 

the state or local jurisdiction’s ongoing educational programming (curriculum adaptation 

project)

8. Commitment of the court or association to the training program (training project)

9. Expressions of interest by judges and/or court personnel, as demonstrated by letters of 

support

Strategic Initiative Grant (SIG) Applications

SIG applications will be rated based on the following criteria:

1. Goals and objectives of the proposed project

2. Demonstration of need for the project 

3. Degree to which the project addresses a current national court issue 

4. Level of innovation in addressing the identified need

5. Potential impact on the court community

6. Qualifications of the consultant(s) engaged to manage the project

Review Process

SJI reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, 

understandable, measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the grant guides.

Applications must meet basic minimum requirements. Although specific requirements may vary

by grant type, the following are common requirements applicable to all SJI grant applications:

• Must be submitted by an eligible type of applicant

• Must request funding within funding constraints of each grant type (if applicable)

• Must be within statutorily allowable expenditures

• Must include all required forms and documents

SJI’s Board of Directors reviews all applications and makes final funding decisions. The decision 

to fund a project is solely that of the Board of Directors. 

Notification of Board Decision 

The Chairman of the Board signs grant awards on behalf of SJI. SJI will send notify applicants 

regarding Board decisions to award, defer, or deny their respective applications. If requested, 

SJI conveys the key issues and questions that arose during the review process. A decision by the 

Board to deny an application may not be appealed, but it does not prohibit resubmission of a 

proposal in a subsequent funding cycle. 

Response to Notification of Award

Applicants have 30 days from the date notifying them that the Board has grant their award to 

respond to any revisions requested by the Board. If the requested revisions (or a reasonable 

schedule for submitting such revisions) have not been submitted to SJI within 30 days after 

notification, the award may be rescinded, and the application presented to the Board for 

reconsideration. Special Conditions, in the form of incentives or sanctions, may also be used in 

other situations. 
9/29/2023 24

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must use the SJI Grants Management System (SJI GMS) to submit all applications 

and post-award documents. SJI urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to 

the application due date, in order to allow time for the applicant to receive an application 

acceptance message and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may arise, such as 

missing or incomplete forms. Files must be in .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .jpg, or .png format. 

Individual file size cannot exceed 5Mb. 

Submission Steps

Applicants (except for ESP) must register with the SJI GMS to submit applications for funding 

consideration. Below are the basic steps for submission:

1. Access the SJI GMS and complete the information required to create an account.

2. If you already have an account, log in and create a new application.

3. Complete all required forms and upload all required documents:

a. Application Form

b. Certificate of State Approval

c. Budget and Budget Narrative

d. Assurances

e. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

f. Project Abstract

g. Program Narrative

h. Attachments

i. Letters of Support

ii. Project Timeline

iii. Resumes

iv. Indirect Cost Approval

v. Other Attachments

4. Certify and submit the application to SJI for review.

POST AWARD REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All required reports and documents must be submitted via the SJI GMS. Refer to the Grant 

Management Guide for additional details. 

Quarterly Reporting Requirements 

Recipients of SJI funds must submit Quarterly Progress and Financial Status Reports 

within 30 days of the close of each calendar quarter (that is, no later than January 30, 

April 30, July 30, and October 30). 

Programmatic Progress Reports: Program Progress Reports shall include a narrative 

description of project activities during the calendar quarter, the relationship between 

those activities and the task schedule and objectives set forth in the approved 
9/29/2023 25

application or an approved adjustment thereto, any significant problem areas that have 

developed and how they will be resolved, and the activities scheduled during the next 

reporting period. Failure to comply with the requirements of this provision could 

result in the termination of a grantee’s award. 

Financial Reporting: A Financial Status Report is required from all grantees for each active 

quarter on a calendar-quarter basis. This report is due within 30 days after the close of the 

calendar quarter. It is designed to provide financial information relating to SJI funds, state and 

local matching shares, project income, and any other sources of funds for the project, as well as 

information on obligations and outlays. 

Request for Reimbursement of Funds

Awardees will receive funds on a reimbursable, U.S. Treasury ‘‘check-issued’’ or electronic 

funds transfer (EFT) basis. Upon receipt, review, and approval of a Request for Reimbursement 

by SJI, payment will be issued directly to the grantee or its designated fiscal agent. Requests for 

reimbursements, along with the instructions for its preparation, and the SF 3881 Automated 

Clearing House (ACH/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form for EFT) are available in the 

SJI GMS.

Accounting System: Awardees are responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate 

system of accounting and internal controls and for ensuring that an adequate system exists for 

each of its sub-grantees and contractors. An acceptable and adequate accounting system: 

1) Properly accounts for receipt of funds under each grant awarded and the 

expenditure of funds for each grant by category of expenditure (including 

matching contributions and project income) 

2) Assures that expended funds are applied to the appropriate budget category 

included within the approved grant 

3) Presents and classifies historical costs of the grant as required for budgetary 

and evaluation purposes 

4) Provides cost and property controls to assure optimal use of grant funds 

5) Is integrated with a system of internal controls adequate to safeguard the funds 

and assets covered, check the accuracy and reliability of the accounting data, 

promote operational efficiency, and assure conformance with any general or 

special conditions of the grant

6) Meets the prescribed requirements for periodic financial reporting of operations 

7) Provides financial data for planning, control, measurement, and evaluation of 

direct and indirect costs 

Final Progress Report

The Final Progress Report must describe the project activities during the final calendar quarter of 

the project and the close-out period, including to whom project products have been disseminated; 

provide a summary of activities during the entire project; specify whether all the objectives set 

forth in the approved application or an approved adjustment have been met and, if any of the 

objectives have not been met, explain why not; and discuss what, if anything, could have been 
9/29/2023 26

done differently that might have enhanced the impact of the project or improved its operation. In 

addition, grantees are required to submit electronic copies of the final products related to the 

project (e.g., reports, curriculum, etc.). These reporting requirements apply at the conclusion of 

every grant.