BJA FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative Grant Opportunity

Grants.gov SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Published February 19th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has announced the FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative, offering grants to support comprehensive service networks addressing mental illness and substance use at the intersection of justice systems. The initiative aims to provide funding for crisis stabilization, treatment services, housing access, and technology modernization.

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What changed

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative. This program seeks to establish comprehensive service networks to address untreated mental illness and substance use disorders, particularly where they intersect with the justice system. The initiative provides funding across four core areas: crisis stabilization centers, treatment services, housing access, and electronic health record (EHR) systems and technology modernization. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, and other units of local government. Other entities, such as nonprofit or for-profit mental health agencies, may apply if designated by the state mental health authority.

This grant opportunity requires applicants to demonstrate how their proposed activities will create actionable alternatives for law enforcement and justice agencies, prioritizing public order and appropriate treatment settings. The application deadline is March 30, 2026. While specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed, the funding instrument type is a grant, implying adherence to grant terms and conditions. Applicants should refer to Grants.gov for the application process and submission details. The minimum award is $3,000,000.

What to do next

Review eligibility requirements for tribal governments, state governments, and other designated entities.
Develop proposals addressing crisis stabilization, treatment, housing, or technology modernization for mental health and substance use disorders within the justice system.
Submit applications through Grants.gov by the March 30, 2026 deadline.

Source document (simplified)

BJA FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative

Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance

Assistance Listings: 16.812 -- Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative

16.838 -- Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program

16.745 -- Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov

Description

This NOFO supports comprehensive service networks addressing untreated mental illness and substance use at the intersection of mental health, substance use, and justice systems. This program responds to the growing burden of endemic vagrancy, disorderly behavior and public safety threats faced by law enforcement agencies. These agencies are often positioned as first responders to situations better addressed by health and social service systems. Law enforcement and justice agencies nationwide need actionable alternatives that prioritize both public order and appropriate treatment settings for those... experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders. Specifically, this initiative provides funding to support activities through four core areas: (1) crisis stabilization centers; (2) treatment services; (3) housing access; and (4) electronic health record (EHR) systems and technology modernization. Show full description

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Government

Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
State governments

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

Other units of local government; Agencies with different legal status (e.g. nonprofit or for-profit mental health agencies) are eligible to apply only if they meet two requirements: (1)The applicant is designated by the state mental health authority to provide services as a unit of the state or local government. (2) The applicant must attach documentation to support this designation.