Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJS 2026 172688
Apply for O BJS 2026 172688
- The Bureau of Justice Statistics in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.554, 16.813.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-28. (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 $2,196,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 56 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is a Bureau of Justice Statistics discretionary grant program offered through cooperative agreements to help states, court systems, and federally recognized tribal governments strengthen the nation’s criminal history records and the background check systems that rely on them. At its core, the opportunity is about improving public safety and system integrity by making criminal history and related records more accurate, more complete, more timely, and more accessible for authorized uses across jurisdictions. The program is structured as a consolidated umbrella that includes three closely related funding streams, each aimed at closing specific information gaps that can undermine criminal justice decision-making and lawful background checks.
The first component, NCHIP (totaling $59,000,000), focuses broadly on improving the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information nationwide. This includes supporting the systems and processes that allow criminal justice agencies and authorized non-criminal justice users to perform reliable name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. The intent is to help jurisdictions strengthen the end-to-end pipeline of criminal history information, from initial data capture and disposition reporting through integration with state repositories and national systems, so that records are consistent, up to date, and usable when decisions depend on them.
The second component, NCHIP SF BSCA (totaling $40,000,000), advances the Department of Justice mission to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal history and related records that support national record systems and background check processes. This funding stream was created to implement appropriations under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Public Law 117-159), specifically Title III, Division B(3). Practically, this track emphasizes making sure the records that matter most for background checks and cross-state information sharing are properly captured and made available for both name- and fingerprint-based checks, with a strong focus on interoperability and the ability to use records effectively across jurisdictional boundaries.
The third component, NARIP (totaling $24,000,000), is geared specifically toward improving the completeness of records in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). NARIP provides grants to states, state court systems, and tribal governments to update NICS with records that may disqualify individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms. The opportunity highlights several major categories of disqualifying information, including certain mental health records, protection and restraining orders, domestic violence convictions, and other criminal history record information. BJS also makes clear that it coordinates NARIP work with the broader NCHIP effort so that state and court initiatives funded under these programs reinforce each other and follow a consistent strategy for improving the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of state and national records.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility includes state governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other entities as specified by the program, with a particular note about courts. For court systems, the applicant is expected to be the state central administrative office or a similar entity designated by statute or regulation to administer federal grant funds on behalf of the jurisdiction’s court system. The funding opportunity is issued by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, is categorized under Information and Statistics, and is associated with CFDA numbers 16.554 and 16.813. The opportunity number is O-BJS-2026-172688, with an application closing date of 2026-09-28. BJS anticipates making 56 awards, with an award ceiling of $2,196,000 per award.
Overall, this consolidated solicitation is designed to help jurisdictions modernize and strengthen the information infrastructure behind criminal history reporting and firearm-related background checks. The combined effect BJS is aiming for is a national environment where critical records are captured correctly, transmitted quickly, shared appropriately, and available when needed for criminal justice processes and authorized background checks, including those conducted through NICS.
FAQs: BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)
What is the BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)?
It is a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) discretionary grant program offered through cooperative agreements to help states, court systems, and federally recognized tribal governments strengthen criminal history records and the background check systems that rely on them.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to improve public safety and system integrity by making criminal history and related records more accurate, more complete, more timely, and more accessible for authorized uses across jurisdictions.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this program?
The opportunity is offered through cooperative agreements.
Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?
The issuing agency is the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes state governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other entities as specified by the program, with a particular note about courts.
How should a court system apply for this grant?
For court systems, the applicant is expected to be the state central administrative office or a similar entity designated by statute or regulation to administer federal grant funds on behalf of the jurisdiction's court system.
What is meant by a "consolidated umbrella" program in this solicitation?
This solicitation combines three closely related funding streams under one consolidated program structure, with each stream aimed at closing specific information gaps that can undermine criminal justice decision-making and lawful background checks.
What are the three funding components included in this consolidated opportunity?
The three components are: (1) NCHIP, (2) NCHIP SF BSCA, and (3) NARIP.
How much funding is allocated to the NCHIP component?
The NCHIP component totals $59,000,000.
What does the NCHIP component focus on?
NCHIP focuses broadly on improving the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information nationwide, including support for systems and processes that enable reliable name-based and fingerprint-based background checks.
What kinds of system improvements does NCHIP support?
The intent is to strengthen the end-to-end pipeline of criminal history information, from initial data capture and disposition reporting through integration with state repositories and national systems, so records are consistent, up to date, and usable for decision-making.
How much funding is allocated to the NCHIP SF BSCA component?
The NCHIP SF BSCA component totals $40,000,000.
What is the purpose of the NCHIP SF BSCA funding stream?
This stream advances DOJ's mission to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal history and related records that support national record systems and background check processes.
What law is associated with the NCHIP SF BSCA component?
NCHIP SF BSCA was created to implement appropriations under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Public Law 117-159), specifically Title III, Division B(3).
What does NCHIP SF BSCA emphasize in practice?
It emphasizes ensuring key records for background checks and cross-state information sharing are properly captured and made available for both name- and fingerprint-based checks, with a strong focus on interoperability and effective use across jurisdictional boundaries.
How much funding is allocated to the NARIP component?
The NARIP component totals $24,000,000.
What is NARIP designed to improve?
NARIP is geared toward improving the completeness of records in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Who can receive NARIP grants?
NARIP provides grants to states, state court systems, and tribal governments.
What types of records does NARIP prioritize for updates to NICS?
The opportunity highlights records that may disqualify individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms, including certain mental health records, protection and restraining orders, domestic violence convictions, and other criminal history record information.
How does BJS describe coordination between NARIP and NCHIP?
BJS states it coordinates NARIP work with the broader NCHIP effort so that state and court initiatives funded under these programs reinforce each other and follow a consistent strategy for improving accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of state and national records.
What is the overall goal of combining these three components into one solicitation?
The overall goal is to help jurisdictions modernize and strengthen the information infrastructure behind criminal history reporting and firearm-related background checks, creating an environment where critical records are captured correctly, transmitted quickly, shared appropriately, and available when needed for criminal justice processes and authorized background checks, including those conducted through NICS.
What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity number is O-BJS-2026-172688.
When is the application closing date?
The application closing date is 2026-09-28.
How many awards does BJS anticipate making?
BJS anticipates making 56 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $2,196,000 per award.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under Information and Statistics.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?
The associated CFDA numbers are 16.554 and 16.813.
What types of background checks are supported by the program's improvements?
The solicitation references both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks, and it also specifically emphasizes improvements that support NICS background checks.
Why does the solicitation stress interstate accessibility and interoperability?
Because background checks and national record systems depend on authorized sharing and effective use of records across jurisdictional boundaries, and information gaps between jurisdictions can undermine decision-making and lawful background checks.
What does the solicitation say about making records "more accessible"?
It states that records should be more accessible for authorized uses across jurisdictions, supporting criminal justice agencies and authorized non-criminal justice users who rely on background check systems.
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