Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2016 8991
The Smart Prosecution Initiative is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) that aims to modernize and strengthen prosecution through data-driven, research-based practices. The core idea is to help prosecutor offices move beyond tradition and intuition alone by using better data, analytical tools, and applied research to design prosecution strategies that are more effective, more efficient, and more fair, with the ultimate goal of improving public safety. The program is framed as a prosecutor-led justice system innovation effort, meaning it expects prosecutor offices to take an active leadership role in diagnosing local problems, testing solutions, and implementing reforms that can be measured and improved over time.
A central feature of the initiative is the pairing of a prosecutor's office with an operational, results-focused researcher. This is not research for research's sake; it is intended to support practical decision-making. The researcher is meant to work alongside practitioners to identify chronic crime or justice system issues, develop strategies grounded in evidence, build performance measures, and evaluate whether the new approaches are actually producing better outcomes. In practice, this can include analyzing case processing patterns, identifying drivers of violence, assessing which interventions reduce reoffending, improving charging and diversion decisions, or finding ways to increase consistency and equity in prosecution outcomes. The expectation is that the partnership produces concrete, testable solutions and uses ongoing measurement to refine what the office does.
Another major emphasis is improving a prosecutor office's ability to access and use data from multiple systems. The opportunity recognizes that prosecutors often sit at the center of a broader ecosystem that includes police, courts, corrections, probation, victim services, and community-based providers, plus relevant non-criminal justice systems where appropriate. By helping offices connect to and draw insights from these various information systems, the program is designed to support a clearer picture of local crime trends, case outcomes, victim and witness needs, and system bottlenecks. This is meant to translate into better targeting of resources, faster and more consistent case resolution, and strategies that can be justified with evidence rather than assumptions.
BJA also positions Smart Prosecution as a learning and dissemination effort for the field. Lessons from funded sites are intended to contribute to a broader evidence base that other prosecutors around the country can use when they collaborate with communities to address persistent problems and violent crime. In other words, the initiative is meant to generate models and findings that can be replicated or adapted nationally, not just create one-off improvements in a single jurisdiction.
In terms of basic grant details, the funding opportunity is titled "Smart Prosecution Initiative" with Funding Opportunity Number BJA 2016 8991. It is a grant (not a contract) under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category and is associated with CFDA 16.825. The award ceiling listed is $400,000, with an expectation of 9 awards. The opportunity was created on February 11, 2016, and the original closing date was March 28, 2016.
Eligibility is limited and specifically focused on prosecution agencies. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal prosecutor agencies. The notice also allows a government agency or a nonprofit organization to apply as the fiscal agent on behalf of an eligible prosecutor office, which is useful in cases where a prosecutor office needs administrative support to manage grant funds or to formalize partnerships, but the underlying program work remains centered on the prosecutor-led initiative.Apply for BJA 2016 8991
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smart Prosecution Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.825.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-02-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-03-28. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Smart Prosecution Initiative (BJA 2016 8991) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Prosecution Initiative?
The Smart Prosecution Initiative is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) designed to modernize and strengthen prosecution through data-driven, research-based practices.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program aims to help prosecutor offices move beyond tradition and intuition by using better data, analytical tools, and applied research to design strategies that are more effective, more efficient, and more fair, with the ultimate goal of improving public safety.
What does "prosecutor-led justice system innovation" mean in this program?
It means prosecutor offices are expected to take a leadership role in diagnosing local problems, testing solutions, and implementing reforms that can be measured and improved over time.
Who is the funder for this opportunity?
The funder is the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant, not a contract.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA 2016 8991.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA 16.825.
What category does this funding opportunity fall under?
It is listed under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $400,000.
How many awards does BJA expect to make?
The opportunity lists an expectation of 9 awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 11, 2016.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was March 28, 2016.
Who is eligible to apply for the Smart Prosecution Initiative?
Eligibility is limited to prosecution agencies. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal prosecutor agencies.
Can a government agency apply on behalf of a prosecutor office?
Yes. A government agency may apply as the fiscal agent on behalf of an eligible prosecutor office, as long as the program work remains centered on the prosecutor-led initiative.
Can a nonprofit organization apply on behalf of a prosecutor office?
Yes. A nonprofit organization may apply as the fiscal agent on behalf of an eligible prosecutor office, which can help provide administrative support for managing funds or formalizing partnerships.
If a fiscal agent applies, who is expected to lead the actual program work?
The underlying program work is expected to remain centered on the eligible prosecutor office, with the initiative being prosecutor-led.
What is a central feature of the Smart Prosecution Initiative approach?
A central feature is pairing a prosecutor's office with an operational, results-focused researcher who works alongside practitioners to support practical decision-making.
What is meant by an "operational, results-focused researcher" in this program?
It refers to a researcher who collaborates directly with the prosecutor office to identify persistent issues, develop evidence-based strategies, build performance measures, and evaluate whether new approaches produce better outcomes. The emphasis is on practical application, not research for its own sake.
What kinds of problems or topics might a funded project focus on?
Examples described include analyzing case processing patterns, identifying drivers of violence, assessing which interventions reduce reoffending, improving charging and diversion decisions, and increasing consistency and equity in prosecution outcomes.
Does this program support evaluating whether changes are working?
Yes. The program emphasizes building performance measures and evaluating whether newly implemented approaches are producing better outcomes, with ongoing measurement used to refine practices over time.
How does the initiative treat data and analytics?
Improving access to and use of data is a major emphasis. The initiative is designed to help prosecutor offices access and use information from multiple systems to gain clearer insights into local trends and outcomes.
What types of systems or partners might be involved in the data-sharing or data-use effort?
The opportunity notes that prosecutors sit within a broader ecosystem that may include police, courts, corrections, probation, victim services, and community-based providers, and in some cases relevant non-criminal justice systems where appropriate.
Why does the program emphasize connecting to multiple information systems?
The stated goal is to develop a clearer picture of local crime trends, case outcomes, victim and witness needs, and system bottlenecks so offices can target resources better, resolve cases faster and more consistently, and justify strategies with evidence rather than assumptions.
What outcomes is the Smart Prosecution Initiative trying to improve?
The program frames intended improvements in effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness in prosecution, with the ultimate goal of improving public safety.
Is the initiative intended to produce lessons that other jurisdictions can use?
Yes. BJA positions Smart Prosecution as a learning and dissemination effort, with lessons from funded sites intended to contribute to a broader evidence base that other prosecutors can replicate or adapt nationally.
Is this initiative focused on one-off local improvements, or broader field impact?
It is described as aiming for broader field impact by generating models and findings that can be replicated or adapted nationally, not just one-off improvements in a single jurisdiction.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services
Next opportunity: OJJDP FY24 Supporting Effective Interventions for Youth With Problematic or Illegal Sexual Behavior Program
Previous opportunity: Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants 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 BJA 2016 8991
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (BJA 2016 8991) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated Programs Concept Paper Apply for BJA 2016 8986 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8986 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Violent Gang And Gun Crime Reduction Program (PSN) Apply for BJA 2016 9202 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9202 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Smart Policing Initiative Apply for BJA 2016 9208 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9208 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Smart Policing Training and Technical Assistance Apply for BJA 2016 9110 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9110 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors Apply for BJA 2016 8990 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8990 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program Apply for BJA 2016 9197 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9197 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Second Chance Act Technology-Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles Apply for BJA 2016 9074 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9074 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Enhancing Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships: Smart Suite Training & Technical Assistance Apply for BJA 2016 9080 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9080 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Police-Prosecution Partnership Initiative Apply for BJA 2016 9324 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9324 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Apply for BJA 2016 8989 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8989 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| OJJDP FY 16 Mentoring Opportunities Apply for OJJDP 2016 9179 Funding Number: OJJDP 2016 9179 Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Technology Innovation for Public Safety (TIPS) Apply for BJA 2016 8994 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8994 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| National Initiatives: Reaching Criminal Justice Policymakers Apply for BJA 2016 9098 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9098 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| Violence Reduction Network: National Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for BJA 2016 9113 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9113 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Enhanced Collaborative Model to Combat Human Trafficking Apply for BJA 2016 9114 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9114 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Apply for BJA 2016 9201 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9201 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| OJJDP FY 16 Defending Childhood State Policy Initiative Apply for OJJDP 2016 9154 Funding Number: OJJDP 2016 9154 Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| The Price of Justice: Rethinking the Consequences of Justice Fines and Fees Apply for BJA 2016 9144 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9144 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| National Gun Crime Intelligence Center Initiative Apply for BJA 2016 9325 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9325 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI) Apply for BJA 2016 9200 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9200 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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 "BJA 2016 8991", 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.