BJA FY 19 Data-led Governing: Raising the Bar for States' Criminal Justice Policy and Practice | BJA 2019 15243

Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2019 15243

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP), offered a discretionary funding opportunity in FY 2019 called "Data-led Governing: Raising the Bar for States' Criminal Justice Policy and Practice" (Funding Opportunity Number BJA 2019 15243). The central purpose of this initiative was to help states and local partners move toward more consistent, higher-quality, and more actionable criminal justice data practices by establishing standards for how data is collected, analyzed, shared, and ultimately used in policy and operational decision-making. In practical terms, the program was aimed at making it easier for decision-makers to rely on trustworthy, comparable data when setting priorities, evaluating whether criminal justice strategies are working, and determining where limited public resources should be directed.

A major theme of the solicitation was strengthening the full pipeline of data-led governing, not just improving databases for their own sake. The opportunity emphasized creating standards and protocols that support real-world decisions, such as setting measurable goals for criminal justice system performance, tracking outcomes over time, and using evidence to adjust strategies. It also highlighted the need for data-sharing protocols across agencies and levels of government, reflecting the reality that criminal justice outcomes are influenced by multiple systems (law enforcement, courts, corrections, supervision, treatment providers, and community supports). By improving coordination and the quality and usability of data, the initiative sought to contribute to DOJ's broader public safety mission, specifically reducing crime and recidivism through better-informed policy and practice.

The funding mechanism for this opportunity was a cooperative agreement, which typically signals a closer working relationship between the federal agency and the award recipient than a standard grant. Rather than simply providing funds and receiving reports, BJA commonly uses cooperative agreements when it expects substantial programmatic involvement, such as guiding deliverables, shaping national resources, or coordinating dissemination efforts. The solicitation anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1), indicating the intent to select one lead organization to drive the initiative at a national level, potentially by developing model standards, convening stakeholders, and producing guidance that states and local jurisdictions could adopt or adapt.

The maximum award amount (Award Ceiling) was $5,000,000, reflecting the scope implied by a one-award national initiative. While the summary does not list an award floor, the ceiling suggests the program was designed to support significant multi-part work, such as developing frameworks, technical products, and cross-jurisdiction learning resources that could influence policy and practice beyond a single state or locality. The activity categories attached to the opportunity included information and statistics, science and technology, and other research and development, which aligns with the focus on data standards, analytic methods, and practical implementation supports.

Eligibility was broad and included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and certain Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), along with other applicants as described in the full eligibility text. That wide eligibility set suggests BJA was open to a range of potential leads, including research organizations, universities with strong criminal justice analytics capacity, nonprofit intermediaries experienced in government performance management, and private-sector entities with relevant technical expertise in data systems and governance. The common thread for a competitive applicant would likely have been the ability to operate at a multi-state or national scale and translate technical data work into practical, implementable guidance for policymakers and practitioners.

Key dates for the opportunity were a posting/creation date of May 16, 2019, and an original application closing date of July 16, 2019. Overall, the grant was positioned as a capacity-building and standards-setting effort intended to raise expectations for how criminal justice data is managed and used. By helping states improve how they define goals, measure progress, and make course corrections based on results, BJA framed the initiative as a way to make criminal justice policy and resource allocation more effective, more consistent, and more grounded in evidence.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the consumer protection, education, employment, labor and training, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 19 Data-led Governing: Raising the Bar for States' Criminal Justice Policy and Practice" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.827.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 16, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2019. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BJA 2019 15243

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: