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Grants / Justice and legal services

BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative: Improving the Quality of Legal Representation in State Capital Cases

Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice

Deadline
October 29, 2026in 9 days
Award size
Up to $450,000
Matching funds
Not required
Fit for small groups
Better for larger organizations

In plain language

This grant helps improve legal representation for people in state capital cases. It supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys. The money can be used to train or hire legal staff.

The money can pay for

  • Training for legal staff
  • Hiring legal staff
  • Improving legal representation
  • Supporting capital case litigation

Who can apply

State government entities in states that use capital punishment can apply.

Is it a fit for a small group?

Better for larger organizations. This grant is for state government entities, not for small community nonprofits like food pantries or churches.

Before you apply

  • Eligible applicants are limited to state government entities
  • Funding must be split equally between prosecution and defense
  • Only states that use capital punishment are eligible
  • Federal applicants need an active registration at SAM.gov and a Grants.gov account. Registration can take several weeks, so start early.

This summary was written by GrantGather with AI, based on the official listing. It can contain mistakes. Check the official listing on Grants.gov before you apply.

From the official listing

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative: Improving the Quality of Legal Representation in State Capital Cases. This opportunity will enhance the ability of prosecutors to effectively represent the public in state capital cases and to improve the quality of legal representation for defense attorneys who represent indigent defendants in state capital cases. States must allocate funding equally among capital prosecution and capital representation.

Opportunity number
O-BJA-2026-172715
Posted
September 21, 2026
Eligible applicants
Others (see eligibility details)
Eligibility details
For purposes of this NOFO, “State government entities” means any state agency in states that authorize capital punishment and that conduct or will conduct prosecutions in which capital punishment is sought.
Assistance listing
16.746 Capital Case Litigation Initiative
Agency contact
Bureau of Justice Assistance
OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
202-514-9354
Open the official listing on Grants.govAgency’s full announcement

Nonprofits are eligible here through the “Others” category. Read the eligibility details carefully.