BJS FY 2026 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program

1) NCHIP ($59,000,000)- This program aims to improve the nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information; and by ensuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and non-criminal justice background check systems. 2) NCHIP SF BSCA ($40,000,000) - This program furthers the DOJ's mission to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal-history and related records in support of national record systems and their use for name- and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks. This program was developed to implement Title III, Division B (3) - Appropriations outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (Pub. L. 117-159). 3) NARIP ($24,000,000)- This program provides grants to assist states, state court systems and tribal governments in updating the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) with certain mental health, protection and restraining order, domestic violence conviction, and other criminal history record information which may disqualify individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms. BJS coordinates its work on the NICS program with the efforts of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) to ensure that funded state and state court system programs are complementary and consistent with the overall goal of improving the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of state and national criminal records.

Award Ceiling

$2,196,000

Estimated Total Program Funding

$123,000,000

Expected Number of Awards

56

This opportunity from Bureau of Justice Statistics 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.