Justice Institute Releases FY 2026 Grant Application Rules
Published Date: 10/27/2025
Notice
Summary
The State Justice Institute just dropped its FY 2026 grant rules, making it clear who can apply, how to apply, and what’s expected after winning. If you’re part of state or local courts, or a nonprofit helping judges and court staff, this is your chance to grab funding to improve justice. Applications opened October 7, 2025, so get ready to boost your court programs with some federal cash!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Project Grants: Size and Matching
Project grants allow state court and national nonprofit applicants to request up to $300,000 for up to 36 months; local court applicants may request up to $200,000 for up to 24 months. All Project Grant awards require a cash match at least equal to the SJI award (dollar-for-dollar), and funds from other federal departments or agencies may not be used for the cash match.
Who Can Apply for SJI Grants
State and local courts, national nonprofit organizations that serve or train judges and court personnel, institutions of higher education, and certain other nonprofit or private agencies may apply for FY 2026 State Justice Institute grants. SJI is prohibited from awarding grants to federal, tribal, and international courts. Applications opened October 7, 2025.
SJI Priority Investment Areas
SJI will prioritize funding for projects in specific areas including opioid and behavioral health responses; procedural fairness and self-represented litigation; protecting victims and underserved groups (including human trafficking and rural justice); advancing criminal, juvenile, family, and civil justice reforms; and transforming courts with technology, cybersecurity, emergency response, safety, strategic planning, and workforce development. Applicants are strongly encouraged to align proposals with these Priority Investment Areas for FY 2026.
Technical Assistance Grants: Caps and Match
TA grants may not exceed $75,000 or 12 months in duration. TA applicants must provide a total match (cash and in-kind) of at least 50% of the SJI award, of which at least 20% must be cash (for example, a $75,000 award requires a $37,500 match with at least $7,500 cash). TA funds may not be used for salaries or benefits of full- or part-time court employees.
Prohibited Uses of Grant Funds
SJI funds may not supplant state or local funds (including paying salaries of court employees for normal duties), may not be used to construct court facilities, and may not be used solely to purchase equipment. Meals and refreshments and promotional trinkets (e.g., hats, mugs, gift cards) are also not allowable costs. Construction expenses are explicitly prohibited.
Pay Caps and Indirect Cost Limits
SJI requires prior written approval for any consultant rate in excess of $800 per day and will not pay a consultant more than $1,100 per day. Recoverable indirect costs for non-governmental grantees are limited to no more than 75% of a grantee's direct personnel costs (salaries plus fringe benefits).
Curriculum/Training (CAT) Grants Limits
CAT grants for curriculum adaptation or judicial branch training may not exceed $40,000 or 12 months. CAT applicants must provide a match of at least 50% of the SJI award, of which 20% must be cash (for example, a $40,000 award requires a $20,000 match with at least $4,000 cash). CAT funds may not be used for salaries or benefits of full- or part-time court employees.
ESP Tuition Help for Judges
The Education Support Program (ESP) covers tuition up to $1,000 per course for state court judges and court managers to attend out-of-state or online educational programs. The ESP is administered by the National Judicial College and the National Center for State Courts/Institute for Court Management; applicants should register via the NJC or NCSC course pages.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05713 — State Justice Institute (SJI) Board of Directors Meeting, Notice
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2025-20398 — SJI Board of Directors Meeting, Notice
The State Justice Institute’s Board of Directors is meeting on December 15, 2025, to review and decide on grant applications for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. This affects organizations seeking funding to improve justice systems, with potential new grants awarded soon. The meeting is a key step in moving money to support important justice projects.
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