BJA FY 2026 Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): BJA FY 2026 STOP School Violence Program

What is the BJA FY 2026 Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program?

The BJA FY 2026 STOP School Violence Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to help communities prevent and reduce violence in K-12 school settings by supporting practical prevention efforts such as training, reporting technology, threat assessment capacity, and crisis response training.

What is the overall goal of this grant program?

The program focuses on practical school violence prevention: helping schools, law enforcement, and community partners recognize warning signs earlier, respond more effectively to threats or crises, and put structured safety practices in place before violence occurs.

Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary federal grant from BJA.

What law authorizes or ties to this grant?

Funding is specifically tied to the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. BJA emphasizes that projects must stay within the statute’s allowable uses.

What happens if a proposed project goes beyond the statute’s allowable uses?

BJA indicates that proposals that go beyond the statutory boundaries described in the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 will not be funded.

What types of activities does the grant support?

The program supports four main categories of activities: (1) training to prevent student violence against others or self, (2) technology solutions to report threats or concerning behavior (including anonymous reporting), (3) building and deploying school threat assessment and intervention teams with coordination between schools and law enforcement, and (4) specialized training for school officials on responding to mental health crises.

What training activities are allowable under this opportunity?

The program funds training intended to prevent student violence against others or self. Training may be provided to local law enforcement officers, school personnel (including administrators, teachers, counselors, and safety staff), and students.

Who counts as "school personnel" for training purposes?

The opportunity gives examples of school personnel such as administrators, teachers, counselors, and safety staff.

Does the program allow training for students?

Yes. The training category explicitly includes training for students as an allowable audience when the purpose is preventing student violence against others or self.

What types of technology projects are supported?

The grant supports development and operation of technology solutions that make it easier to report threats or concerning behavior, especially anonymous reporting systems.

Are anonymous reporting systems specifically included?

Yes. Anonymous reporting systems are specifically emphasized as an example of supported technology solutions.

What are examples of reporting technology mentioned in the opportunity?

Examples explicitly mentioned include mobile apps, hotlines, and web-based reporting portals.

Does the program support threat assessment and intervention teams?

Yes. One of the four main activity areas is building and deploying school threat assessment and intervention teams, with an emphasis on coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies.

Is coordination with law enforcement required or encouraged for threat assessment activities?

The opportunity places emphasis on coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies as part of building and deploying threat assessment and intervention teams.

Does the program support training related to mental health crises?

Yes. The program supports specialized training for school officials on responding to mental health crises, recognizing that crisis response and early intervention can be important parts of violence prevention when handled appropriately.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants include: state, county, city, or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education).

Are nonprofits eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits are eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed among eligible applicant types.

Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included in the eligible applicant categories.

How should a private K-12 school apply (including private charter schools)?

The notice provides guidance that private K-12 schools, including private charter schools, should apply under the "nonprofits" category.

How should a public charter school apply?

The notice provides guidance that public charter schools should apply as "independent school districts."

What does BJA mean by "other units of local government"?

The NOFO clarifies that "other units of local government" may include general-purpose political subdivisions such as towns, boroughs, parishes, and villages.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJA-2026-172709.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 16.839.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is identified as Law, Justice and Legal Services.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is up to $2,000,000 per award.

Does the award ceiling suggest BJA will fund large projects?

The stated ceiling of up to $2,000,000 per award signals that BJA is prepared to fund sizeable efforts when the proposed activities fit within allowable purposes and are well designed.

When is the application due?

The original application closing date is October 30, 2026.

When was the NOFO created?

The NOFO was created on September 21, 2026.

What types of school settings does this program focus on?

The program is designed to help prevent and reduce violence in K-12 school settings.

What should applicants keep in mind when designing a project for this grant?

BJA’s guidance is that applicants need to align tightly with the statutory uses described in the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. Projects that go beyond those allowable uses will not be funded.