Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJS 2026 172689
Apply for O BJS 2026 172689
- The Bureau of Justice Statistics in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJS FY 2026 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) 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): 16.554.
- 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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) FY 2026 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) Training and Technical Assistance opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement aimed at strengthening the quality, completeness, and usability of criminal history and related justice records nationwide. The award supports a single provider that will deliver hands-on training and technical assistance (TTA) to states, territories, and tribal jurisdictions so their record systems align with FBI standards, use appropriate modern technologies, and follow strong privacy and confidentiality practices. At its core, the program is designed to make criminal history information more accurate, more consistent, and more shareable across jurisdictions, which directly supports reliable name-based and fingerprint-based background checks and broader criminal justice information sharing.
This effort continues long-running federal investments in records improvement and information exchange, specifically supporting activities connected to NCHIP, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP), and portions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Public Law 117-159). While the notice references continuing support for FY 2024-related activities, the FY 2026 solicitation is focused on sustaining and extending that work through targeted assistance that helps jurisdictions improve how records are created, updated, transmitted, and used. In practice, this can include helping agencies close gaps in records availability, improve timeliness of submissions, and ensure data is structured and managed in ways that meet national system requirements.
A major component of the project is performance measurement and continuous assessment. The selected awardee is expected not only to deliver technical support, but also to routinely collect, evaluate, and report performance measures that show whether state and national records holdings are improving over time and whether information sharing and exchanges are becoming more effective. This measurement function matters because it helps BJS and participating jurisdictions understand where progress is being made (for example, increased completeness or faster updates) and where persistent bottlenecks remain (for example, inconsistent data standards, missing dispositions, or barriers to interstate accessibility).
The program’s public safety rationale is tied to the Department of Justice mission of reducing violent crime and addressing gun violence. By improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal-history and related records, the project supports national record systems that underpin background check processes, including those associated with firearm eligibility determinations, and strengthens overall justice system decision-making. BJS has funded NCHIP training and technical assistance since 1995, and this solicitation continues that long-standing role of helping jurisdictions meet evolving standards, technologies, and best practices.
Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which typically signals substantial federal involvement in project direction, coordination, and oversight compared to a standard grant. The opportunity has an award ceiling of $1,500,000, with one expected award. The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 16.554, and the funding activity category is listed as Information and Statistics. The opportunity number is O-BJS-2026-172689, and the posted closing date is 2026-09-28 (with a creation date of 2026-08-18).
Eligible applicants are relatively broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. In effect, BJS is looking for a capable national-level provider (or lead organization) that can deliver expert guidance across many jurisdictions, navigate sensitive justice information environments, and demonstrate credibility in standards compliance, privacy/confidentiality protections, and measurable improvements in record quality and exchange.
FAQs: BJS FY 2026 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) Training and Technical Assistance
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) FY 2026 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) Training and Technical Assistance opportunity. It is a discretionary cooperative agreement to support hands-on training and technical assistance (TTA) that strengthens the quality, completeness, and usability of criminal history and related justice records nationwide.
What is the main goal of the project?
The main goal is to make criminal history information more accurate, more consistent, and more shareable across jurisdictions. The project is intended to help states, territories, and tribal jurisdictions improve how records are created, updated, transmitted, and used, so those systems align with FBI standards, use appropriate modern technologies, and follow strong privacy and confidentiality practices.
What kind of award is this?
The award is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial federal involvement in project direction, coordination, and oversight compared to a standard grant.
How much funding is available?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000.
How many awards does BJS expect to make?
One award is expected.
Who will receive training and technical assistance under this project?
The selected provider will deliver training and technical assistance to states, territories, and tribal jurisdictions.
What types of activities will the provider support?
Based on the description provided, supported activities may include helping jurisdictions close gaps in records availability, improve timeliness of submissions, and ensure data is structured and managed to meet national system requirements. The assistance is intended to help jurisdictions improve record creation, updating, transmission, and use.
What standards or requirements are jurisdictions expected to align with?
The work is aimed at aligning record systems with FBI standards, using appropriate modern technologies, and implementing strong privacy and confidentiality practices.
How does this opportunity relate to NCHIP, NARIP, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act?
This effort supports activities connected to NCHIP, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP), and portions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Public Law 117-159). The FY 2026 solicitation is focused on sustaining and extending that work through targeted assistance.
Why is performance measurement such a big part of the project?
The selected awardee is expected to routinely collect, evaluate, and report performance measures showing whether record holdings are improving over time and whether information sharing and exchanges are becoming more effective. This is meant to help BJS and participating jurisdictions identify progress (such as improved completeness or faster updates) and persistent bottlenecks (such as inconsistent data standards, missing dispositions, or barriers to interstate accessibility).
How does this project support public safety?
The public safety rationale is tied to the Department of Justice mission of reducing violent crime and addressing gun violence. By improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal history and related records, the project supports national record systems that underpin background checks, including firearm eligibility determinations, and strengthens justice system decision-making.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Information and Statistics.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 16.554.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is O-BJS-2026-172689.
When was the opportunity created and when does it close?
The creation date is 2026-08-18, and the posted closing date is 2026-09-28.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Is this intended for multiple providers or a single national provider?
It is structured to support a single provider (one expected award) that can deliver hands-on training and technical assistance across many jurisdictions.
What capabilities does BJS appear to be looking for in the selected provider?
BJS is looking for a capable national-level provider (or lead organization) that can deliver expert guidance across many jurisdictions, operate in sensitive justice information environments, demonstrate credibility in standards compliance, and apply strong privacy and confidentiality protections while producing measurable improvements in record quality and exchange.
Does the opportunity mention anything about continuing prior work?
Yes. The notice references continuing support for FY 2024-related activities, while the FY 2026 solicitation is focused on sustaining and extending that work through targeted assistance.
What kinds of record issues might the project help address?
Examples mentioned include improving completeness, speeding up updates, reducing inconsistent data standards, addressing missing dispositions, and reducing barriers to interstate accessibility.
How does this work connect to background checks?
By making criminal history and related justice records more accurate and shareable, the project supports reliable name-based and fingerprint-based background checks and broader criminal justice information sharing. It also supports systems associated with firearm eligibility determinations.
How long has BJS supported NCHIP training and technical assistance?
BJS has funded NCHIP training and technical assistance since 1995, and this solicitation continues that long-standing role.
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