Grant Applications is sponsored by Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs. Reporting <a href="/finance/office-of-criminal-justice-programs/ocjp/fa-ocjp-grant Category: Public Safety.

The State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP) announces grant opportunities on this webpage and via our grants management system, TN Grants. To complete an application, please visit TN Grants. Important TN Grants resources: · How to Submit a Technical Assistance Request Frequently Asked Questions : All questions must be submitted through TN Grants.

Questions will be responded to in TN Grants. OCJP typically processes questions within 2-3 business days. OCJP can elect not to respond to questions which are too specific to an agency's application.

All solicitations posted on this page are open and competitive, and as such, agencies should reference the available solicitations materials, General Frequently Asked Questions, and OCJP's Grants Manual available online prior to submitting a question.

Additional TN Grants Training Materials Award Notification and Contract Signing Portal Access PowerPoint - Script Frequently Asked Questions Application Process PowerPoint Award Notification and Contract Signing PowerPoint Amendment Request PowerPoint Budgets and Match Applicant Training This is an optional training session for FY27 TN Grants applicants.

It will feature tips and tricks for building a successful budget for your project and will review common budget issues and errors. We will also briefly review cash and in-kind match. If you are not a FY27 applicant but are still interested in the session you are welcome to attend as well.

There are two sessions for this training. See dates and times below. These are identical sessions with two opportunities to attend.

Friday, March 6 th at 8:30 am central/9:30 am eastern Tuesday, March 10 th at 12:00 pm central/1:00 pm eastern Evidence-based Programming Please download the EBP Solicitation for more information. Applications must be submitted in the GMS Portal .

Application Start Date: 2/13/2026 Application Deadline: Rolling Maximum Total Award: $200,000 The purpose of the Evidence-Based Programming (EBP) project is to provide funding to local jails to implement evidence-based programming for inmates in an effort to: Improve access to knowledge, skills, and resources required for successful re-entry into local communities following release from incarceration; Reduce recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals; and Increase meaningful collaboration between local jails and local community partners.

This program comprises state funds which are available as grants to eligible government agencies operating local jails that house TDOC inmates to support the implementation or enhancement of evidence-based programming to improve offender outcomes.

Funding Opportunity Description Evidence-based programming is defined as “a program or programs shown by scientific research to effectively reduce recidivism rates and increase an offender’s likelihood of success following release from incarceration, including programs focused on education, vocational training, mental health, substance abuse rehabilitation, or building healthy relationships.

” Agencies intending to implement an evidence-based program with these funds are required to use recognized programs that are rated as “Highest Rated” or “Second Highest Rated” according to the Results First Clearing House (In the solicitation, click the link and select Correctional Facility as the Setting on the left).

Agencies intending to implement a vocational program with these funds can reference TDOC’s list of vocational programming currently offered in Tennessee prisons. TBR also has information available on vocational programs offered through TN College of Applied Technology that may be available in your area. Please download the PSN East Solicitation for more information.

Applications must be submitted in the GMS Portal .

Application Start Date : 2/20/2026 Application Deadline : 3/25/2026 Maximum Total Award: $47,608 Office Hours for Application Assistance: Tuesday, March 3rd 10:00 am central/11:00 am eastern Wednesday, March 11th 1:00 pm central/2:00 pm eastern The purpose of this solicitation is to seek projects which meet the listed goals: Reducing gun crime in the jurisdiction and implementing gang activity reduction strategies and supporting gang taskforce work.

Preference will be given to applicants whose projects encompass both of the goals noted above.

Preference will be given to those applications that can: identify locations within the district that have the most significant issues with violence; show the ability to identify the offenders who are driving the violence in those areas; and demonstrate strong relationships allowing for prosecution of those offenders to provide the most certain and appropriate sanctions.

Preference will be given to projects that develop Significant Offender Lists (SOLs) throughout the district as continued collaboration and intelligence sharing is key to attacking the violent crime problems in East Tennessee. Funding Opportunity Description Agencies applying for funding must meet both the criteria listed in this solicitation and any requirements listed below.

Agencies not able to demonstrate they meet these criteria must not apply. Eligible subrecipients are limited to local law enforcement agencies whose primary jurisdiction falls within the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. See a map of the Eastern District here.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to implement effective programs and strategies that enable PSN task forces to prevent, respond to, and reduce violent and gun crimes. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to foster effective collaboration with affected communities. Applicants must create and maintain ongoing coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officials.

Please download the FVPSA Hurricane Solicitation for more information. Applications must be submitted in the GMS Portal .

Application Start Date : 3/3/2026 Application Deadline: 4/2/2026 Grant funds will be administered to support purchase of disaster preparedness equipment for domestic violence programs currently funded by the Office of Criminal Justice Programs and who responded to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence’s Disaster Relief and Preparedness Needs Assessment.

This solicitation is designed to equip eligible organizations with the ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the needs of survivors impacted by disasters. Funding Opportunity Description Agencies need to ensure they use the linked companion document to guide them in filling out the application Agencies applying for funding must meet the fund source specific requirements and any other requirements listed in this solicitation.

Agencies not able to demonstrate they meet these criteria must not apply. Nonprofit agencies not solvent at the time of application are not eligible to apply for funding. Domestic violence shelter agencies must follow Family Violence Shelter Standards .

Domestic violence agencies who are currently funded through the Office of Criminal Justice Programs, who responded to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence’s Disaster Relief and Preparedness Needs Assessment, and who have not previously received funding from the FVPSA Hurricane funds are eligible to apply for this funding.

Nonprofit agencies not solvent at the time of application are not eligible to apply for funding. Ignition Interlock - Halfway House Please download the Ignition Interlock - Halfway House Solicitation for more information. Applications must be submitted in the GMS Portal .

Application Start Date: 3/11/2026 Application Deadline: 4/10/2026 Halfway Houses, in terms of this grant, provide sober living homes that provide supportive services, including evidence-based programs for mental health and substance use disorders in order to successfully transition back into society without reliance on alcohol or drugs.

Safe and secure treatment facilities and treatment to include moral recognition therapy, GED course work, anger management therapy and domestic and family counseling; and Transportation to and from work, mental health, or medical appointments for each of its residents. Funding Opportunity Description Agencies applying for funding must meet the criteria listed in section titled FUND SOURCE DESCRIPTIONS AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

Agencies not able to demonstrate they meet this criterion must not apply. Nonprofit agencies not solvent at the time of application are not eligible to apply for funding.

In order for a halfway house to qualify for such grant awards it must provide: No less than sixty (60) residential beds monthly with occupancy at no less than ninety-seven percent (97%) per month, or if a halfway house with nonresidential day reporting services, it shall serve no less than two hundred (200) adults monthly; Safe and secure treatment facilities, and treatment to include moral recognition therapy, high school equivalency credential course work, anger management therapy, and domestic and family counseling; and Transportation to and from work and mental health or medical appointments for each of its residents.

Frequently Asked Questions Q. How is match calculated? A: Match can be calculated two ways: (STOP /JAG) Federal $ / .

75 x . 25 = ____________ (VOCA) Federal $ / . 80 x .

20 = ___________ (examples: $40,000 x . 25 = $10,000) or ($40,000 / . 80) x.

20 = $10,000) For match in cash, the match amount will go in the line item. For match that is in-kind, it will go in the in-kind line item. Any items purchased over $5000 will go under Capital Expense.

For more information on match please see the Grants Manual Ch. 3 Section 1. Match Requirement.

Q: No one at our agency has been trained in Uniform Guidance and my agency does not have a policy for this. If I don't have this, is this going to knock out my application, or can I do some sort of online training pretty quickly? A: While this will not prevent any application from moving forward in the process, if the agency application is funded, training on Uniform Guidance is required within the first 6 months.

The Department of Justice offers a financial training course on their website. Q: Regarding the “Other Grant Funds Table”. We are requesting equipment for this VOCA request.

Are you asking for grants we have received that are not related to our enhancement application? A: Yes. This table is meant to represent all grant funds that your agency receives or anticipates that is will receive in the current fiscal year for all criminal justice or victim service projects.

Q: How do we notate salary, benefits, and taxes on the budget form? Do we separate out each item? A: There are several ways this can be noted on the budget form.

Examples are below: Salary estimated at $____________ approximately __________% of time dedicated to project. Salary and benefits estimated at $___________ approximately ________% of time dedicated to project. Salary estimated at $ _________ Benefits estimated at $ ___________ approximately _________% of time dedicated to project.

EX. : Salary and benefits estimated at $10,000. 00 approximately 25% of time dedicated to project.

Q: Do we need to purchase an accounting system if we do not have one? A: OCJP Grants Manual, Chapter III, Accounting Criteria states the subrecipient is free to use any accounting system that the subrecipient has established if the system meets the following minimum criteria [located below in the chapter]. ” Q: We get a lot of questions about supplanting.

Does everyone understand what that is? A: “Supplant” means to “replace” or “take the place of. ” Federal law prohibits recipients of federal funds from replacing state, local, or agency funds with federal funds.

Existing funds for a project and its activities may not be displaced by federal funds and reallocated for other organizational expenses. This is unallowable. Ex: You are awarded this volunteer coordinator position and you promote Dorothy to this position, you must backfill the position so there is an increase in FTEs.

In the event your agency is facing a loss of funding, make that clear in your application. Q: How do we know what our intended outputs will be if we never received VOCA funding before? A: Intended outputs should be a projection, what you plan to serve.

For example, if you know you get 500-600 clients through your door every year you can safely assume that you will serve between 400-700 clients next year. Use this information to establish a baseline of services. Q: Is it reasonable to base numbers off of what you know and where you think your program will go?

A: Look at what your agency did this last fiscal year, and where you are today, then project what these grant monies will allow you to do in the next year i.e. – expanding services. Q: The Authorized Official for non-profit agencies is the Board Chair, correct? A: For federal purposes, your authorized official is your board chair.

The project director and fiscal director should be someone who is willing to take on the responsibilities of the projects implementation. These duties are listed in the OCJP Grants Manual . Q: We would like to use donated space as match.

Is this allowable? A: This is allowable under VOCA. You can find more information in the OCJP Grants Manual Chapter III.

Financial Requirements where it states “The value of space may be used as in kind match if space is 100% owned by the agency (either through donation or it has been paid for) and used 100% for victim services. In this case, you may use the fair market value of the space as in-kind match.

The value may not exceed the fair market value of comparable space as established by an independent appraisal of comparable space and facilities in a privately owned building in the same locality. Agencies must obtain at least 3 comps from an independent Realtor and the use the average as the fair market value. The basis for determining the value of personal services, materials, equipment and space must be documented."

Q: What if we submit a budget which is not accurate? A: OCJP can only encourage agencies to complete the budget using the knowledge and resources available. OCJP cannot say at this time if budget modifications after applications are reviewed will be accepted or will impact funding determinations.

Q: What is a State (Edison) Vendor ID? A: Please visit the State of Tennessee's website regarding Procurement/Supplier Information. This is required for executed contracts.

For VOCA funded projects: Q: The SAR report is required for each organization that receives VOCA funding. The information in the report is a projection of how funding will be allocated to victim services for the year. Do we wait until June 1st to complete this form or do it prior to submission NOW, since we know the amount we are applying for?

A: SARS should be completed as part of the application process. This is a projection of how the funds will be allocated based on the project narrative. For DV projects (VOCA funded) Q: Since budget amounts were reduced, is the expectation that we continue to fund the same activities as the previous grant term?

Or restructure grant-funded activity to align to the reduction in funding? A: Agencies should present programming that is victim centered and the level of services should take into account the reduction in funds and the amount of other funds the agency has available. OCJP anticipates that the majority of the reduction will come out of agency travel and supplies.

The goal of targeting these areas is to minimize the service impact to victims but how an agency is impacted will vary depending upon their specific grant budget. Q: Can we to use our shelter building as part of match for our two grants? Q: Will VOCA Pay for Administrative Costs associated with the grant?

A: Please the OCJP Subrecipient Grants Manual Chapter XVI Cost Allocation regarding the definition of allowable costs. The grant cannot pay for any costs associated with preparing the application itself. Q: We were wondering, is it okay to include salary positions in our budget for one fiscal year and not the next in response to the reduced federal allocation amount?

A: Agencies should apply for what is needed to support the proposed project. For Law Enforcement Victim Coordinator projects: Q: Who qualifies as a Volunteer? How many hours are volunteers required to work?

A: The Fair Labor Standards Act defines volunteer as “an individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered…” 29 CFR 553. 101(a).

“The1985 Amendments provide that employees may volunteer hours of service to their public employer or agency provided ‘such services are not the same type of services which the individual is employed to perform for such public agency. ’ The phrase ‘same type of services’ means similar or identical services. ” 29 CFR 553.

103. For more information please see the Grants Manual Section III Financial Requirement. There is no minimum threshold of hours provided.

Only that an agency who is granted VOCA funding utilize volunteers. Q: What is the Department of Revenue registration or exemption process? A: Please see the Department of Revenue Sales Use & Tax Registration Presentation for guidance.

Q: Is there a page limit on applications? A: There is no page limit; However, we encourage agencies to clearly and concisely explain the problems and needs of communities they propose serving and how their project will address those needs through the described activities, inputs, etc. Information and statistics that are global, national, or in other ways is outside the scope of your particular project is not necessary.

This Page Last Updated: March 11, 2026 at 2:32 PM