Justice Department Announces $107 Million Grant to Boost Public Safety in Tribal Nations
(Washington = Alex Walczak) The U.S. Justice Department has opened a $107 million grant program aimed at enhancing public safety and victim support across American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Nations for fiscal year 2026.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the Fiscal Year 2026 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a comprehensive funding opportunity designed to help Tribal governments and consortia develop coordinated public safety strategies. Managed jointly by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), the program simplifies the application process by allowing tribes to apply for multiple funding streams through a single application.
The grants support a wide range of initiatives including law enforcement hiring and training, equipment acquisition, justice system improvements, substance abuse treatment, and juvenile delinquency prevention. They also provide critical services for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse within Tribal communities.
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. emphasized the department’s commitment to Tribal public safety, stating, “These grants enable tribes to develop comprehensive plans that address gaps, improve coordination, and tackle the root causes of crime and social disorder. We are proud to invest in the success and advancement of Tribal justice systems.”
In fiscal year 2025, the DOJ awarded 108 CTAS grants totaling over $99 million to Tribal Nations and consortia nationwide. This year’s application deadlines are October 15, 2026, for Grants.gov submissions and October 22, 2026, for JustGrants submissions. To assist applicants, the DOJ will host a series of webinars, with schedules and registration details available on the department’s official website.
The OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, and technical assistance to improve crime prevention, justice administration, and victim support. Meanwhile, the COPS Office advances community policing efforts and supports law enforcement agencies across the country, including Tribal law enforcement.
This funding initiative underscores the DOJ’s ongoing dedication to strengthening public safety and victim services in Tribal Nations, fostering safer and healthier communities through strategic support and collaboration.
