BJA FY25 John R. Justice Formula Grant for Prosecutors and Defenders

Grants.gov Open Opportunities

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has announced the FY25 John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program. This program offers loan repayment assistance to local and state prosecutors and public defenders who commit to continued service. State governments are eligible to apply for funding to administer these programs.

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What changed

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY25 John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program. This grant aims to provide loan repayment assistance to eligible local and state prosecutors and public defenders. State governments are the primary eligible applicants, responsible for administering statewide programs by soliciting applications from beneficiaries and committing them to an additional three years of qualifying service in exchange for partial loan repayment.

State governments interested in administering this program must submit applications through Grants.gov by April 10, 2026. The program offers awards ranging from a minimum of $120,000, with no cost sharing or matching requirement. This initiative supports the retention of essential legal professionals in public service by alleviating student loan burdens.

What to do next

State governments should review eligibility requirements for the BJA FY25 JRJ Formula Grant.
Interested state governments must submit applications via Grants.gov by April 10, 2026.
Eligible state agencies should prepare to administer loan repayment assistance programs for prosecutors and public defenders.

Source document (simplified)

BJA FY25 John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program

Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance

Assistance Listings: 16.816 -- John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act

Last Updated: March 18, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov

Description

This NOFO will provide loan repayment assistance for local and state prosecutors and local, state, and federal public defenders who commit to continued employment as public defenders and prosecutors. States receiving funding will administer statewide programs through state agencies designated by the governor by soliciting applications from eligible beneficiaries, which include local and state prosecutors and local, state, and federal public defenders (“beneficiaries”). Beneficiaries selected must commit to an additional three years of qualifying service in exchange for partial loan repayment directly to the beneficiary’s loan service provider.