Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2012 3205
Apply for BJA 2012 3205
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 12 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training, and Technical Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.815 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training and Technical Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 16, 2012 and posted on Feb 16, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $875,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- CATEGORY 1 TRIBAL CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS Applicants in Category 1 are limited to tribal and non tribal non profit (Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) 501(c)(3)) entities, including tribal enterprises and educational institutions (public, private, and tribal colleges and universities) that provide legal assistance services for federally recognized Indian tribes, members of federally recognized Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems pursuant to federal poverty guidelines. Federal poverty guidelines are updated every year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11fedreg.shtml). CATEGORY 2 TRIBAL CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS Applicants in Category 2 are limited to tribal and non tribal non profit (I.R.C. 501(c)(3)) entities, including tribal enterprises and educational institutions (public, private, and tribal colleges and universities) that provide legal assistance services for federally recognized Indian tribes, members of federally recognized Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems pursuant to federal poverty guidelines. Federal poverty guidelines are updated every year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11fedreg.shtml). CATEGORY 3 TRIBAL JUSTICE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS Applicants in Category 3 are limited to national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership or a membership section consists of judicial system personnel within tribal justice systems. Tribal justice systems are defined as a federally recognized Indian tribe s entire judicial branch, including traditional methods and forums for dispute resolution, trial courts, appellate courts, inter tribal courts, alternative dispute resolution systems, and circuit rider systems, established by inherent tribunal authority whether or not they constitute a court of record. Judicial personnel are defined as any judge, magistrate, court counselor, court clerk, court administrator, bailiff, probation officer, officer of the court, dispute resolution facilitator, or other official, employee, or volunteer within the tribal judicial system.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 12 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training, and Technical Assistance opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BJA-2012-3205; CFDA 16.815) is a discretionary grant program created to strengthen tribal justice systems and expand meaningful access to legal representation in Indian Country. It is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2012 (P.L. 112-55) and the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-559, Title I). The central purpose is to improve how tribal justice systems function day to day by ensuring that people who cannot afford counsel, and who are involved in tribal civil or criminal matters, have better access to competent legal assistance. Alongside direct legal services, the program also supports training and technical assistance that helps tribal courts and related justice entities build capacity, improve procedures, and enhance overall system effectiveness.
This solicitation is structured around three main categories. Category 1 focuses on tribal civil legal assistance, supporting services for indigent respondents in civil causes of action that fall under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes. Category 2 focuses on tribal criminal legal assistance, supporting services that strengthen representation for indigent defendants in criminal cases in tribal courts. In both of these categories, the emphasis is on improving the quality and availability of legal representation and ensuring that services are directed to communities that meet federal poverty guidelines, as updated annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Category 3 is dedicated to tribal justice training and technical assistance (TTA), which is intended to promote the development and enhancement of tribal justice systems more broadly, including court operations, personnel development, and system-level improvements that can make justice processes more accessible, consistent, and effective.
Eligibility depends on the category. For Category 1 (Civil Legal Assistance) and Category 2 (Criminal Legal Assistance), applicants must be tribal or non-tribal nonprofit organizations recognized under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). Eligible entities explicitly include tribal enterprises and educational institutions, meaning public, private, and tribal colleges and universities can apply when they provide legal assistance services connected to federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal members, or tribal justice systems, and when the work aligns with federal poverty guideline targeting. Category 3 (Training and Technical Assistance) is more narrowly aimed at national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership (or a defined membership section) is made up of personnel within tribal justice systems. The solicitation uses an expansive definition of a tribal justice system, covering the entire judicial branch of a federally recognized tribe and including not only trial and appellate courts, but also inter-tribal courts, alternative dispute resolution, traditional dispute forums, and circuit rider systems established through inherent tribal authority, whether or not they are courts of record. It also defines “judicial personnel†broadly, encompassing judges, magistrates, clerks, administrators, bailiffs, probation officers, officers of the court, dispute resolution facilitators, and other officials, employees, or volunteers working within the tribal judicial system.
From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is listed as $875,000, with no stated award floor, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted and created on February 16, 2012, with an original and current closing date of April 17, 2012, and an archive date of May 17, 2012. The program’s overarching theme is practical capacity building: improving representation for low-income individuals in tribal civil and criminal matters while also strengthening the institutions and personnel that make tribal justice systems function effectively.
For application submission support, the announcement directs applicants needing technical help with Grants.gov to use the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline (800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035) or email support@grants.gov, and it notes that applicants who cannot access the full announcement electronically should use the provided contact pathway in the full posting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this grant opportunity?
This is the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 12 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training, and Technical Assistance discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number BJA-2012-3205; CFDA 16.815). It is intended to strengthen tribal justice systems and expand meaningful access to legal representation in Indian Country.
2. What is the main purpose of the program?
The central purpose is to improve the day-to-day functioning of tribal justice systems by increasing access to competent legal assistance for people who cannot afford counsel and who are involved in tribal civil or criminal matters. The program also supports training and technical assistance that helps tribal courts and related justice entities build capacity and improve procedures.
3. What laws authorize this program?
The program is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2012 (P.L. 112-55) and the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-559, Title I).
4. What are the main funding categories under this solicitation?
The solicitation is organized into three categories:
- Category 1: Tribal civil legal assistance
- Category 2: Tribal criminal legal assistance
- Category 3: Tribal justice training and technical assistance (TTA)
5. What does Category 1 (Tribal Civil Legal Assistance) support?
Category 1 supports civil legal assistance services for indigent respondents in civil causes of action that fall under the jurisdiction of Indian tribes, with an emphasis on improving the quality and availability of representation.
6. What does Category 2 (Tribal Criminal Legal Assistance) support?
Category 2 supports criminal legal assistance services that strengthen representation for indigent defendants in criminal cases in tribal courts, with an emphasis on improving the quality and availability of representation.
7. What does Category 3 (Training and Technical Assistance) support?
Category 3 funds tribal justice training and technical assistance (TTA) intended to promote development and enhancement of tribal justice systems, including improvements to court operations, personnel development, and broader system-level improvements that make justice processes more accessible, consistent, and effective.
8. Who is eligible to apply for Category 1 and Category 2?
For Category 1 and Category 2, eligible applicants must be tribal or non-tribal nonprofit organizations recognized under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).
9. Are tribal enterprises and educational institutions eligible for Category 1 and Category 2?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes eligible entities such as tribal enterprises and educational institutions. This includes public, private, and tribal colleges and universities, when they provide legal assistance services connected to federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal members, or tribal justice systems and when the work aligns with federal poverty guideline targeting.
10. Who is eligible to apply for Category 3 (TTA)?
Category 3 is aimed at national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership (or a defined membership section) is made up of personnel within tribal justice systems.
11. How does the solicitation define a "tribal justice system" for Category 3 purposes?
The solicitation uses an expansive definition that includes the entire judicial branch of a federally recognized tribe. It includes trial and appellate courts, inter-tribal courts, alternative dispute resolution, traditional dispute forums, and circuit rider systems established through inherent tribal authority, whether or not they are courts of record.
12. How does the solicitation define "judicial personnel" for Category 3 purposes?
"Judicial personnel" is defined broadly and includes judges, magistrates, clerks, administrators, bailiffs, probation officers, officers of the court, dispute resolution facilitators, and other officials, employees, or volunteers working within the tribal judicial system.
13. Does this program focus on low-income or indigent individuals?
Yes. Categories 1 and 2 emphasize legal services for indigent respondents or indigent defendants. Services are directed to communities that meet federal poverty guidelines, as updated annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
14. What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $875,000.
15. Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor is stated in the information provided.
16. Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
17. When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted and created on February 16, 2012. The original and current closing date listed is April 17, 2012. The archive date is May 17, 2012.
18. What is the overall theme or emphasis of the program?
The overarching theme is practical capacity building: improving legal representation for low-income individuals in tribal civil and criminal matters while strengthening tribal justice institutions and personnel through training and technical assistance.
19. What should applicants do if they need technical help with Grants.gov?
Applicants needing technical assistance with Grants.gov are directed to contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at (800) 518-4726 or (606) 545-5035, or email support@grants.gov.
20. What if an applicant cannot access the full announcement electronically?
The announcement notes that applicants who cannot access the full announcement electronically should use the provided contact pathway in the full posting.
21. What identifying numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA-2012-3205, and the CFDA number is 16.815.
22. What types of legal matters are covered under Categories 1 and 2?
Category 1 addresses tribal civil causes of action under tribal jurisdiction, and Category 2 addresses criminal cases in tribal courts. Both categories focus on improving access to competent legal representation for people who cannot afford counsel.
23. Does Category 3 only cover courts of record?
No. The definition of tribal justice systems for Category 3 includes systems established through inherent tribal authority whether or not they are courts of record.
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