Overview
Edward R. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Fund Availability & Summary (Not Currently Accepting Applications)
The Edward R. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program is a federal initiative awarding justice funding to state, tribal, and local governments address needs, fill gaps, test and replicate evidence-based practices, and spur innovation. Every state has a State Administering Agency (SAA) that manages Byrne JAG funding. In Connecticut, the SAA is the Office of Policy and Management Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division (OPM CJPPD). The U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) allocates Byrne JAG to SAAs and provides guidance regarding use of the funds.
The Byrne JAG program is divided into two categories: state-level and local-level funds, which are detailed in the sections below.
State-Level Funds
State-level funds are expended on projects and programs addressing criminal justice issues on a state-wide level. Such entities include, but are not limited to, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal nations, coalitions, intermunicipal groups, task forces, and private entities. State-level funds may be used to support programs adhering to the following purpose areas:
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Law enforcement
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Prosecution and the courts
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Crime prevention and education
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Corrections, community corrections and reentry
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Drug treatment and enforcement
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Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement
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Crime victims and witnesses
Local-Level Funds
Local-level funds are only made available to municipalities and federally recognized tribes for projects and programs addressing criminal justice issues at the municipal and intermunicipal levels. The level of funding to each municipality is determined by a formula maintained by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which assesses the crime rate in relation to the population over a three-year period. The project funding structure is further divided into funds allocated towards:
Local Variable Pass-Through Funds (LVPT)& Less Than 10K (LT10K)
Application (2022-2025)
From 2022 to 2025, OPM CJPPD awarded approximately $3 million from the Byrne JAG FY2017, FY2018, and FY2019 funds to municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits, workforce boards, and coalitions for criminal justice-focused projects.
The Byrne JAG funding cycle has expired as of September 30, 2025, and OPM CJPPD is no longer accepting new applications. We appreciate the continued interest in the Byrne JAG program and encourage potential applicants to stay connected for future updates. Once additional funds for the new application cycle are made available, outreach and a public announcement will be made to ensure that all interested parties are informed and able to apply.
Follow this page for more information on our upcoming 2026-2028 funding cycle.
Statutory Authority
The JAG Program is authorized by Title I of Pub. L. No. 90-351 (generally codified at 34 U.S.C. 10151-10726), including subpart 1 of part E (codified at 34 U.S.C. 10151 - 10158); see also 28 U.S.C. 530C(a).