BJA FY25 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program | Apply Online

FY25 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program (BJA) - FAQs

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), titled the FY25 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program. It is intended to strengthen how jurisdictions identify, investigate, prosecute, and prevent hate crimes.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The core goal is to provide practical, direct assistance that helps jurisdictions handle hate crime matters from start to finish. The focus is on improving front-line capacity in ways that can be applied during real criminal investigations and prosecutions, with an emphasis on timely, effective, and legally sound responses.

3) Who is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

4) What types of agencies are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and prosecution agencies, along with their partners (as contemplated by the program).

5) Are tribal agencies eligible, and are there specific requirements?

Yes. Tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies are eligible if they are part of federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. This ties eligibility to federal recognition and the performance of law enforcement responsibilities.

6) What kinds of activities can grant funds support?

Grant funds can be used to provide direct assistance that meaningfully contributes to investigating or prosecuting hate crimes. The opportunity explicitly references allowable support such as technical assistance, forensic support, prosecutorial support, and other forms of practical help that strengthen casework and jurisdictional capacity.

7) Can this funding be used for technical assistance?

Yes. Technical assistance is specifically identified as an allowable use of funds, as long as it helps strengthen hate crime identification, investigation, prosecution, or prevention capacity.

8) Can this funding be used for forensic support?

Yes. Forensic support is explicitly listed as a potential use of grant funds, to help jurisdictions fill gaps in specialized capabilities needed for hate crime investigations and prosecutions.

9) Can this funding be used for prosecutorial support?

Yes. Prosecutorial support is specifically identified as an allowable use, recognizing that building and prosecuting hate crime cases often requires specialized expertise and sustained coordination.

10) Does the program support coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors?

Yes. The program emphasizes improved coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors when building cases, and it frames support in a way that strengthens collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, and relevant partners.

11) Is the program focused only on investigations, or also on prosecutions and prevention?

It is designed to strengthen identification, investigation, prosecution, and prevention. The program description highlights end-to-end support, including case development and prosecutorial assistance, and broader capacity-building that supports prevention.

12) Does the grant address repeat or serial violent hate crime offenses?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly allows funding to address serial violent hate crime offenses committed by the same individual or group. This reflects the program's recognition that repeat or patterned offending can require focused investigative strategies and sustained prosecutorial attention.

13) What is meant by "direct assistance" in this program?

Based on the description provided, "direct assistance" refers to hands-on support that helps jurisdictions work hate crime matters from start to finish. Examples cited include technical assistance, forensic support, and prosecutorial support, as well as other tools, services, expertise, or resources that agencies may not have in-house.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling (maximum award amount) listed for this opportunity is $3,000,000.

15) How many awards will be made?

The posting indicates that awards are expected, but the source information provided does not include a specific expected number of awards.

16) What type of funding instrument is this?

The funding instrument is a grant.

17) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172491.

18) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed is 16.040.

19) What is the activity area/category for this funding?

The activity area is categorized under Law, Justice, and Legal Services.

20) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The notice was created on 2026-03-27, and the original closing date is 2026-04-20.

21) What kinds of gaps is this program intended to help jurisdictions close?

The NOFO is aimed at closing gaps in hate crime response by adding capacity where it is most needed, including specialized investigative and forensic capabilities, stronger case development and prosecution support, and targeted work on repeat or serial violent hate crime activity, while supporting collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, and partners.