BJA FY 2026 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY2026 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative (PSMHI). This opportunity supports comprehensive service networks addressing untreated mental illness and substance use to reduce the burden of on law enforcement and the justice system; restore order in communities affected by homelessness, mental illness, and substance use; decrease recidivism; reduce crime; and improve overall public safety and restore confidence in public spaces. This initiative supports coordinated, direct intervention efforts across public safety, justice, mental health, and substance use agencies to increase access to mental health and substance use treatment through civil commitment, institutional treatment, and step-down approaches from pre-arrest through reentry, using accountability measures that ensure compliance with treatment plans. This program moves beyond temporary interventions by supporting appropriate institutional care and civil commitment processes, when appropriate, for individuals unable to care for themselves.

Award Ceiling

$3,000,000

This opportunity from Bureau of Justice Assistance is open to eligible applicants nationwide. Organizations working in Federal are especially encouraged to review the requirements.

Federal grant opportunities like this one are typically open to a range of applicant types. Common eligible organizations include:

• Nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations
• Small businesses and startups (especially for SBIR/STTR programs)
• State, local, and tribal governments
• Colleges, universities, and research institutions
• Individuals (for select programs in education, arts, and research)

Eligibility requirements vary by opportunity. Always review the official listing before investing time in an application.