BJA FY25 Invited to Apply—Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) | Apply Online

FAQs: BJA FY25 Invited to Apply - Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) Grant

What is the BJA FY25 Invited to Apply - SORNA grant?

It is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant funding opportunity under the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The grant supports public safety by helping jurisdictions strengthen sex offender registration and community notification systems through consistent and enforceable practices aligned with SORNA.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), which is part of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

What is SORNA and how does it relate to this grant?

SORNA is the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, found in Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. It established nationwide standards designed to make sex offender registration more comprehensive, more uniform across states, and more effective for informing communities and supporting law enforcement. This grant is intended to help states make measurable progress toward those standards.

Is this funding opportunity open to the general public?

No. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is not open to the general public. It is a mandatory, invitation-only competition.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only state governments that received an invitation letter from BJA authorizing them to apply are eligible.

How do applicants know if they are invited?

Eligibility is based on receiving a letter from BJA that authorizes the state government to apply. If a state did not receive that letter, the opportunity is not available to them under this invitation-only competition.

What is the main purpose of the grant?

The central purpose is to move invited jurisdictions closer to "substantial implementation" of SORNA by supporting efforts to strengthen registration and notification systems and align them with SORNA standards.

What does "substantial implementation" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the information provided, the grant focuses on making measurable progress toward alignment with SORNA standards. Applicants are expected to identify where their state falls short of SORNA requirements and propose activities that close those gaps to advance toward substantial implementation.

What must an application emphasize to be responsive to the opportunity?

A responsive application should clearly explain the state's current gaps relative to SORNA requirements and present a credible project plan that demonstrates how proposed activities will close those gaps. The emphasis is on measurable progress toward SORNA alignment, not on unrelated public safety initiatives.

What types of improvements is the grant designed to support?

The grant is designed to help invited states upgrade policies, practices, and systems that support sex offender registration and community notification, with the requirement that each proposal show how these improvements advance the state toward substantial SORNA implementation.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What category does this grant fall under?

It is categorized under Law, Justice, and Legal Services.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 16.738.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172571.

How many awards does BJA anticipate making?

BJA anticipates making up to 25 awards.

What is the maximum amount that can be awarded per award?

The award ceiling is $841,732 per award.

When is the application closing date?

The posted application closing date is April 13, 2026.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 19, 2026.

What is the public safety goal of the program?

The program supports DOJ's broader public safety mission by helping jurisdictions strengthen systems that protect the public from convicted sex offenders through consistent, enforceable registration and notification practices.

Does the grant prioritize general public safety projects unrelated to SORNA?

No. The information provided indicates the emphasis is specifically on measurable progress toward alignment with SORNA standards, rather than unrelated public safety initiatives.