BJA FY 23 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Training and Technical Assistance | O BJA 2023 171798

FAQs: BJA FY 23 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the BJA FY 23 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) opportunity, a discretionary, cooperative agreement administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

What is the purpose of the BCJI TTA award?

The purpose is to fund a single organization to serve as the national training and technical assistance provider for BCJI sites. The provider is expected to help BCJI-funded neighborhoods and their law enforcement partners strengthen trust, partnerships, and coordination so they can implement data-driven, cross-sector plans that reduce crime and violence in sustainable ways.

What is the main idea behind the BCJI approach?

BCJI is built on the idea that crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods and even smaller hotspot micro-locations. It emphasizes that lasting reductions in violence and crime require more than enforcement alone and should include coordinated problem-solving that addresses root causes and immediate public safety needs.

What kinds of communities or places does BCJI focus on?

BCJI focuses on high-crime, distressed communities, including areas that have experienced long-term disinvestment and related social and economic challenges. The initiative is place-based, with attention to neighborhoods and micro-locations where crime and violence are concentrated.

How does this opportunity connect to OJP priorities?

The opportunity is aligned with OJP priorities emphasizing civil rights and racial equity, improved access to justice, stronger support for victims and people impacted by the justice system, safer communities, and increased trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

How many awards does BJA intend to make under this solicitation?

Based on the solicitation description, BJA is looking to fund a single organization to serve as the national TTA provider for BCJI sites.

What is the award type or instrument?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally means BJA anticipates substantial involvement through collaboration, guidance, and shared responsibilities during project implementation.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $750,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

Which federal agency is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2023-171798.

What is the CFDA number?

The CFDA number is 16.738.

When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on June 20, 2023.

What was the original application closing date?

The original closing date was July 31, 2023.

What does the national TTA provider do for BCJI sites?

The provider supports community leaders from BCJI-funded neighborhoods and their law enforcement partners. The work emphasizes building trust, strengthening partnerships, and improving coordination between community-based prevention strategies and enforcement strategies.

What does "data-driven, cross-sector plans" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this solicitation, it refers to helping local teams use data to identify the most affected places and problems, develop and refine place-based strategies, align agencies and community organizations around shared goals, and track results so tactics can be adjusted based on what is or is not working.

Is the work limited only to enforcement strategies?

No. The solicitation emphasizes that lasting reductions in violence and crime require more than enforcement alone. The intent is to coordinate community-centered prevention approaches with enforcement strategies and to address root causes while also responding to immediate public safety needs.

What is the expected role of trust-building in this project?

Trust-building is central. The national TTA provider is expected to focus strongly on increasing trust and improving relationships between community leaders and law enforcement partners as part of effective collaboration and long-term neighborhood safety efforts.

What does "place-based" mean here?

Place-based refers to strategies that target specific geographic areas where crime is concentrated, including neighborhoods and smaller hotspot micro-locations, rather than using only broad, citywide approaches.

What kind of knowledge-sharing or learning is expected from the TTA provider?

The provider is expected not only to support current BCJI grantees, but also to work with current and former BCJI site leaders and researchers to capture and document lessons learned and research findings from roughly the last decade of the initiative.

Are the learning products intended only for current BCJI grantees?

No. The solicitation indicates that the products and insights should be shared broadly so other communities, including communities that are not current BCJI grantees, can apply tested approaches, practical tools, and evidence-informed strategies informed by BCJI implementation.

What is the intended long-term outcome of the initiative?

The opportunity is aimed at strengthening the capacity of high-crime, distressed communities and their partners to use coordinated, evidence-informed, community-centered approaches to reduce violence and improve long-term neighborhood safety in ways communities can sustain over time.