Best Crime Grants in Pennsylvania

Grants supporting Pennsylvania justice system agencies and partners working on substance use disorder responses can access funding to expand evidence-based supports for justice-involved people. Grants from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency help Pennsylvania crime and justice organizations improve coordination from law enforcement contact through reentry and supervision, with awards up to US $500,000 for county-level system improvements.

Governmental and non-governmental organizations in Pennsylvania implementing crime and justice, public safety, or victim services projects can apply for this Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives. Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency supports programs that advance the objectives and goals in its 2026–2030 Strategic Framework.

Grants supporting research, policy advocacy, and violence intervention that impact crime and justice in Pennsylvania and the broader Great Lakes region are available, with a focus on racial equity. Grants from The Joyce Foundation help organizations advance gun violence prevention, justice system reform, and community-based violence intervention strategies connected to Pennsylvania.

The Federal STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance community responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. By fostering collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services, this program ensures a comprehensive approach to address these issues. With a focus on effective strategies and accountability for offenders, the grant encourages innovative solutions to protect and support victims, ultimately aiming to improve safety across communities in Pennsylvania.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance: Law Enforcement grant, funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement in addressing domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence. This initiative provides essential training and technical assistance to ensure Pennsylvania's law enforcement officers can effectively respond to and mitigate these critical issues. Quarterly programmatic and fiscal reporting is required to monitor the grant's impact and efficacy.

Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Program Grants

The goal and objective of Track 1:

NIBRS Readiness Grants is to increase the number of local law enforcement agencies submitting data to the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Department of Justice through NIBRS, which is the successor federal crime data reporting system to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System. Despite recent investments to support local law enforcement agencies’ transition from UCR, Pennsylvania’s compliance rate with reporting data through NIBRS remains among the lowest of all states. With the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) stating that all agencies must be NIBRS compliant in reporting no later than January 1, 2028, this solicitation seeks to offset the costs of some agencies seeking to meet that standard and increase Pennsylvania’s statewide NIBRS compliance rates.

The goal and objective of Track 2:

Implementation Grants is to afford local law enforcement agencies that are already NIBRS-compliant the opportunity to purchase technology, equipment, training, and other allowable activities to improve clearances rates of homicides and other violent crimes, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. NIBRS-compliant agencies will be expected to track measurable outcomes to show improvement in clearance rates related to one or more of these violent offenses.

Funding Availability:

A total of $3,425,000 in FY2026-27 State VICTIM Act funding is being announced to support this initiative.1

Under Track 1: NIBRS Readiness Grants, PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $50,000 over the 18-month project period. No less than $1,000,000 will be used to assist local law enforcement agencies who are not yet NIBRS compliant in achieving compliance (i.e., identified by the Pennsylvania State Police at the end of the project as a NIBRS reporting agency). Applicants that fail to achieve this standard by the final close-out report may be asked to return funding. Law enforcement agencies that have not received prior funding from PCCD for NIBRS compliance will be considered more favorably.

Under Track 2: Implementation Grants, PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to exceed $500,000 over the 18-month project period.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance: Sexual Assault Project, funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance the understanding of sexual assault within Pennsylvania. This initiative targets victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors, ensuring they receive comprehensive training and technical support. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the project seeks to improve responses to sexual violence and ultimately support victims more effectively. Reports are required quarterly through Egrants.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance: Prosecution grant, offered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance the skills of Pennsylvania prosecutors in addressing domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence. This initiative provides essential training and technical assistance to various stakeholders, ensuring a coordinated response to these critical issues. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the program seeks to improve overall community safety and support for victims.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance grant aims to enhance knowledge of domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence in Pennsylvania. Funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, it supports non-profit and governmental organizations to develop statewide training programs for victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors. The initiative includes the implementation of the Maryland Model of Lethality Assessment Program and requires quarterly reporting through Egrants.

The BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program aims to enhance Adult Treatment Court operations, focusing on preventing overdoses and reducing substance use among high-risk adults in the criminal justice system. The program integrates judicial supervision, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery support services to improve outcomes for participants. This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice highlights the commitment to public safety and addressing critical issues like the opioid crisis.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program aims to support states and local governments in enhancing their DNA analysis capabilities. By providing funding for existing crime laboratories, this initiative seeks to increase the processing capacity for DNA samples, thereby reducing the backlog in forensic DNA analysis and ensuring timely entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program aims to enhance justice by strengthening the capacity of entities that review wrongful convictions. By supporting partnerships among criminal justice and victims' services, the program seeks to effectively manage post-conviction claims of innocence and prevent future errors. This initiative will help identify actual perpetrators and ensure justice for victims, contributing to public safety and the integrity of the legal system.

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

The BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program aims to support community organizations and tribal governments in providing essential mentoring and transitional services for individuals returning from correctional facilities. This initiative targets those assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism, addressing their needs both pre-and post-release. By fostering successful reintegration into society, the program contributes to public safety and reduces recidivism rates, aligning with the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program aims to support adults with serious mental illness (SMI) by facilitating community-based treatment. Funded by the US HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the initiative encourages collaboration with civil courts and community partners. Recipients will implement AOT to ensure that eligible individuals receive necessary support, thereby enhancing their mental health outcomes and promoting recovery.

The BJA FY 2026 Byrne State Crisis Intervention Formula Program aims to enhance state crisis intervention court proceedings and related initiatives. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the program focuses on addressing public safety challenges such as violent crime, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis. Grants will support the development of mental health courts, drug courts, and extreme risk protection order programs, providing critical resources to improve community safety and support law enforcement efforts.

The BJA FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program offers formula funding to support local governments in enhancing public safety. This grant aids in hiring personnel, purchasing essential equipment, and providing training and technical assistance to address crime and safety challenges. Applicants are encouraged to verify their eligibility for direct JAG funding from BJA before submitting their applications. The deadline for full applications is October 16, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The BJA FY 2026 Crisis Response Training Program aims to enhance public safety and law enforcement effectiveness by providing critical training for officers in responding to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments in developing programs to improve responses to those with mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and other challenges. By equipping officers with essential skills and strategies, the program seeks to ensure safer interventions and better outcomes in crisis situations.

The OVC FY 2026 grant aims to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of human trafficking by integrating policies at state and Tribal levels. This funding opportunity focuses on developing strategic plans to address the challenges faced by minor victims, enhance coordination among systems like child welfare and juvenile justice, and ensure effective identification and prosecution of traffickers. By fostering multidisciplinary approaches, the program seeks to provide comprehensive support and services to these vulnerable populations.

The OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot Program supports state and Tribal courts in implementing electronic communication methods for serving protection orders. This initiative, part of the Violence Against Women Act, aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of protection order enforcement, ensuring safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Applications are due by October 8, 2026, at 4:59 pm through JustGrants.

Herold and Retta Reuss Public Safety Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate the drive and ability to be successful in pursuing a college education and/or a certification process in the fields aforementioned. Financial information is requested, but not necessarily a determining factor. Students who receive this scholarship may apply for further support in subsequent years.

The DOJ's FY 2026 BIDEN Program aims to address immigration-related challenges by providing funding to eligible state and local governments. This initiative focuses on enhancing law enforcement's capacity to apprehend criminal aliens, investigate gang activities, and manage court operations related to crimes committed by aliens. By supporting these critical efforts, the program aims to improve public safety and uphold the rule of law in communities across the nation.

The BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program aims to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting civil rights offenses that resulted in death before December 31, 1979. This funding opportunity is part of the DOJ's broader commitment to enhance public safety, protect civil rights, and ensure justice for victims of violent crime. Applications are due on November 20, 2026.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program Support aims to fortify a national network of 61 multiagency task forces dedicated to combating child sexual exploitation facilitated by technology. This funding opportunity enhances training, prevention, and outreach efforts while fostering collaboration among law enforcement entities. Applications are due in JustGrants by November 9, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, ensuring timely support for critical initiatives to protect children.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program aims to provide critical support for moderate- to high-risk youth transitioning back into their communities after confinement. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration among state agencies, local governments, Tribes, and community organizations to deliver comprehensive reentry services and assist youth in overcoming challenges related to recidivism. Applications are due by November 9, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The BJA FY 2026 Tribal Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program aims to enhance Tribal justice systems through specialized technical support. This funding opportunity addresses critical issues such as violent crime and substance-use related crime, including opioids. By assisting federally recognized Indian Tribes, the program promotes the development of sustainable legal and corrections infrastructure while fostering collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. Applications are due by October 28, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The BJA FY 2026 John R. Justice Formula Grant Program offers loan repayment assistance to local and state prosecutors and public defenders who commit to three years of service. Administered by state agencies, this program aims to alleviate the financial burden on legal professionals dedicated to public service. Applications are due by November 10, 2026, providing a crucial opportunity for eligible beneficiaries to secure support for their educational loans.