Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2025 172612
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is offering funding through the FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers payments that are required by statute and are intended to help offset certain costs that state and local detention and correctional systems faced as a result of incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens. In practical terms, this program is a reimbursement-style payment program focused on costs already incurred during a defined reporting window, rather than a traditional grant meant to launch a new project or pilot.
The eligible cost period for this opportunity is the reporting period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Applicants are essentially documenting qualifying incarceration-related costs from that timeframe and seeking SCAAP payments tied to those reported burdens. The opportunity is framed around supporting jurisdictions that experienced measurable impacts on their correctional resources due to the incarceration of undocumented individuals who meet the program's criteria as "undocumented criminal aliens."
Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and units of local government, specifically including county governments and city or township governments. That means the primary audience is state corrections agencies and local jurisdictions such as county sheriffs' offices or local departments that operate detention facilities or are otherwise responsible for incarceration-related expenses. The program is not presented as open to nonprofits, educational institutions, or private entities, and it is categorized as an "Other" type of opportunity and funding instrument, which fits the idea that SCAAP functions as a payment program rather than a conventional discretionary grant competition.
The assistance listing number associated with this opportunity is CFDA 16.606. The opportunity is administered by BJA, and the funding activity area is Law, Justice, and Legal Services. While an award ceiling is listed at $59,000,000, that figure is best read as an upper bound related to the program's funding parameters rather than a promise that any single applicant will receive that amount. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided data, which is common for formula-like or payment-based programs where the final number of recipients depends on eligibility and the volume of qualified submissions.
The posted opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172612. The opportunity was created on May 12, 2026, and the original closing date is June 23, 2026. In other words, jurisdictions have a defined window to compile their documentation and submit the application materials needed for BJA to determine payment amounts.
OJP also situates SCAAP within DOJ's broader mission priorities. The NOFO language emphasizes work that supports the rule of law, public safety, and protection of civil rights, and it references OJP's wider role in supporting law enforcement, combating violent crime, protecting children, serving crime victims, and addressing major public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the opioid crisis. Even though SCAAP is specifically focused on incarceration costs tied to undocumented criminal aliens, the program is presented as one component of the federal government's overall support to state and local justice systems that are dealing with complex and resource-intensive public safety responsibilities.Apply for O BJA 2025 172612
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.606.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-23. (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 $59,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) - FAQs
What is the FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)?
The FY25 SCAAP is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding opportunity that provides payments required by statute to help offset certain costs state and local detention and correctional systems faced due to incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens. It is described as a reimbursement-style payment program focused on costs already incurred, not a traditional grant for starting a new project.
Is SCAAP a traditional competitive grant?
No. Based on the description provided, SCAAP functions more like a payment or reimbursement-style program tied to documented, qualifying costs from a defined reporting window, rather than a discretionary grant competition meant to launch or pilot a new initiative.
Which federal agency is administering this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP).
What is the purpose of SCAAP funding?
The purpose is to help offset certain incarceration-related costs that state and local detention and correctional systems experienced as a result of incarcerating individuals who meet the program criteria as undocumented criminal aliens.
What is the eligible cost period (reporting period) for FY25 SCAAP?
The eligible cost period (reporting period) is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Applicants are expected to document qualifying costs incurred during that timeframe.
Does the program fund future activities or only past costs?
Based on the information provided, it is focused on reimbursing or offsetting costs already incurred during the stated reporting period (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024), rather than funding future projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and units of local government. The information provided specifically includes county governments and city or township governments.
Are nonprofits, universities, or private organizations eligible?
No. The opportunity is not presented as open to nonprofits, educational institutions, or private entities. Eligibility is limited to state and local governmental units as described.
What types of local government entities are specifically included?
The eligible local government units specifically mentioned include county governments and city or township governments. The described primary audience includes jurisdictions such as county sheriffs' offices or local departments that operate detention facilities or are responsible for incarceration-related expenses.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The assistance listing number (CFDA) associated with this opportunity is 16.606.
What is the opportunity number for this NOFO?
The posted opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172612.
What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?
The funding activity area is Law, Justice, and Legal Services.
What type of opportunity or funding instrument is this categorized as?
It is categorized as an "Other" type of opportunity and funding instrument, which aligns with SCAAP being described as a payment program rather than a conventional project grant.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
An award ceiling of $59,000,000 is listed. The description indicates this should be read as an upper bound related to program funding parameters, not a guarantee that any single applicant will receive that amount.
How many awards will be made?
The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information. This can be typical for payment-based or formula-like programs where the number of recipients depends on eligibility and the volume of qualified submissions.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 12, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is June 23, 2026.
What does applicants documentation generally need to cover?
Applicants are essentially documenting qualifying incarceration-related costs incurred during the reporting period (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) and submitting materials needed for BJA to determine payment amounts tied to those reported burdens.
What population is SCAAP focused on?
The program is focused on incarceration impacts tied to individuals who meet the program criteria as "undocumented criminal aliens," as described in the opportunity summary.
How does SCAAP connect to broader DOJ/OJP priorities?
OJP frames SCAAP within DOJ mission priorities emphasizing the rule of law, public safety, and protection of civil rights. The NOFO language also references OJP's broader role in supporting law enforcement, combating violent crime, protecting children, serving crime victims, and addressing major public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
What kinds of agencies typically pursue SCAAP payments?
Based on the eligibility and program purpose described, the typical applicants are state corrections agencies and local jurisdictions (such as counties or cities/townships) that operate detention facilities or are otherwise responsible for incarceration-related expenses.
Is this opportunity intended to address operational burdens on detention and correctional systems?
Yes. The opportunity is framed around supporting jurisdictions that experienced measurable impacts on correctional resources due to incarcerating undocumented individuals who meet the program criteria, by helping offset certain related costs.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services
Previous opportunity: BJA FY25 Invited to Apply - Small, Rural, and Tribal Body-Worn Camera Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for O BJA 2025 172612
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O BJA 2025 172612) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| INL – Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter FTOs and TCOs in Colombia Apply for OFOP0002742 Funding Number: OFOP0002742 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| BJA FY25 Invited to Apply – Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program Apply for O BJA 2025 172613 Funding Number: O BJA 2025 172613 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $420,866 |
| Bolivia Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Apply for DFOP0018363 Funding Number: DFOP0018363 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Combatting Transnational Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina through Enhanced Forensic Accounting Apply for OFOP0002766 Funding Number: OFOP0002766 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Undercover Backstopping Project Apply for OFOP0002752 Funding Number: OFOP0002752 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "O BJA 2025 172612", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.