Opportunity Information: Apply for O OVC 2026 172642
The OVC FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants, also referred to as the Byrne Discretionary Grants Program, is a federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). It is an earmark-based opportunity tied directly to projects that Congress has already designated for funding in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-74, Division A, Title II). The basic purpose is to fund selected community and justice-related initiatives that strengthen how the criminal justice system operates, help prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and support services for victims of crime, with the important limitation that the funding is for victim assistance other than compensation programs.
This funding opportunity is not a general, open competition. The central feature is that OVC will only make awards for the specific projects, and in the specific dollar amounts, that were identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement that accompanies the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations legislation. In other words, eligibility and award size are essentially predetermined by congressional direction, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity functions mainly as the formal mechanism for inviting the designated recipients to submit the required application materials so OVC can issue and administer the awards.
The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number O-OVC-2026-172642 and falls under the category of an earmark. The funding instrument is a grant, and it is associated with the broad activity area of Income Security and Social Services. The program is tied to Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 16.753. While the eligibility field is broadly labeled as "Others," in practice this type of "Invited to Apply" Byrne discretionary community project notice typically means the applicants are the specific entities named or otherwise clearly identifiable in the congressional directives, rather than any organization that happens to meet a generic eligibility definition.
Key timing and scale details are straightforward. The opportunity was created on June 17, 2026, and the original application closing date is July 29, 2026. OVC anticipates making about 83 awards, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is listed as $3,500,000. Because the funding is constrained by congressional direction, individual award amounts are expected to match what was designated in the Joint Explanatory Statement rather than being negotiated through a typical competitive scoring process.
In practical terms, organizations that are invited to apply should expect the application process to focus on confirming the project design, budget, implementation approach, and compliance with DOJ and OVC grant requirements, rather than competing on merit against a national pool of applicants. The underlying goals remain the same as the Byrne discretionary community project concept: improving criminal justice system functioning, addressing juvenile delinquency prevention or intervention needs, and strengthening victim-focused services (excluding compensation), but always within the boundaries of the specific earmarked project description and amount established by Congress.Apply for O OVC 2026 172642
- The Office for Victims of Crime in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVC FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.753.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-29. (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 $3,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 83 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: OVC FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants (Byrne Discretionary Grants Program)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled OVC FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants, also referred to as the Byrne Discretionary Grants Program.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This is a federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-OVC-2026-172642.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This notice is an earmark-based funding opportunity. It is an "Invited to Apply" notice rather than a general open competition.
Is this a competitive grant that any organization can apply for?
No. This is not a general, open competition. OVC will only make awards for specific projects and in the specific dollar amounts that Congress already designated for funding.
Who is eligible to apply?
While the eligibility field is broadly labeled as "Others", in practice this type of "Invited to Apply" notice typically means the eligible applicants are the specific entities named or otherwise clearly identifiable in the congressional directives tied to the earmark.
What does "Invited to Apply" mean in this context?
"Invited to Apply" means the Notice of Funding Opportunity primarily serves as the formal mechanism for designated recipients to submit required application materials so OVC can issue and administer the award. It is not designed to select winners from a broad applicant pool.
What law or appropriations action is this funding tied to?
This opportunity is tied to projects designated for funding in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-74, Division A, Title II).
How were the projects and award amounts determined?
The projects and amounts were identified in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement that accompanies the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations legislation. OVC will make awards consistent with those designations.
What is the purpose of the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants described here?
The basic purpose is to fund selected community and justice-related initiatives that:
- Strengthen how the criminal justice system operates
- Help prevent or combat juvenile delinquency
- Support services for victims of crime, with an important limitation related to compensation (see below)
Are victim compensation programs allowed under this opportunity?
No. The funding is described as being for victim assistance other than compensation programs, meaning compensation programs are excluded under this opportunity as described.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is associated with this program?
The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 16.753.
What is the broad activity area associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with the broad activity area of Income Security and Social Services.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 17, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is July 29, 2026.
How many awards does OVC expect to make?
OVC anticipates making approximately 83 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is listed as $3,500,000.
Will my award amount be negotiated during the application process?
Generally, no. Because the funding is constrained by congressional direction, individual award amounts are expected to match what was designated in the Joint Explanatory Statement rather than being negotiated through a typical competitive process.
What will OVC focus on when reviewing applications from invited applicants?
Invited applicants should expect the application process to focus on confirming the:
- Project design
- Budget
- Implementation approach
- Compliance with DOJ and OVC grant requirements
This is different from a standard national competition where applications are primarily compared and scored against one another for merit.
Can an organization apply with a project idea that is not in the congressional designation?
The notice indicates awards will be made only for the specific projects identified by Congress. That means proposed activities are expected to remain within the boundaries of the earmarked project description and amount established in the congressional materials.
Where do the specific project descriptions and designated amounts come from?
They come from the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the FY 2026 CJS appropriations legislation, which identifies the projects and funding levels that this opportunity is intended to implement.
What is the overall goal of the application process for invited recipients?
The overall goal is to submit the required materials so OVC can issue and administer the earmarked grant award, ensuring the proposed plan and budget align with the designated project and meet DOJ/OVC requirements.
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