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Grants / Justice and legal services

BJA FY 2026 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance

Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice

Deadline
November 6, 2026in 17 days
Award size
Up to $600,000
Matching funds
Not required
Fit for small groups
Possible fit

In plain language

This grant helps pay for legal assistance and training for Indian tribes and their members. It supports legal aid and justice systems in rural areas where there is not much legal help. The money can also be used for special programs like helping Native American veterans and addressing violence against women.

The money can pay for

  • Legal assistance for Indian tribes and their members
  • Training for tribal justice systems
  • Help for Native American veterans
  • Programs to address violence against women

Who can apply

Nonprofits that provide legal assistance to Indian tribes, members of Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems, and national or regional organizations with membership in tribal justice systems can apply.

Is it a fit for a small group?

Possible fit. This grant is for organizations that provide legal services to Indian tribes, which may not align with the work of most small community nonprofits.

Before you apply

  • Eligibility is limited to specific types of organizations
  • The grant focuses on tribal justice systems and legal aid
  • The application requires detailed information about eligibility
  • 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 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program. This opportunity will support legal assistance to eligible tribal members, federally recognized Indian tribes, and tribal justice systems that provide legal aid and indigent defense services to tribal communities located in rural and remote regions throughout the United States where legal services are sparse. This NOFO will also support specialized training and technical assistance (TTA) to grantees for the development, enrichment, and enhancement of tribal courts and justice system operations. This includes tribal and state joint jurisdiction; veterans’ clinics and legal assistance for Native American veterans; Missing Murdered and Indigenous People; Violence Against Women Act; Tribal Law and Order Act; and Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction.

Opportunity number
O-BJA-2026-172775
Posted
October 7, 2026
Eligible applicants
Others (see eligibility details)
Eligibility details
Categories 1 and 2: Non-profit entities, as defined under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, which provide legal assistance services for Indian tribes, members of Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems pursuant to federal poverty guidelines.; Category 3: national or regional membership organizations and associations whose membership consists of judicial system personnel within tribal justice systems.
Assistance listing
16.815 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training and Technical Assistance
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.