BJA FY24 Visiting Fellows Program | O BJA 2024 172165

FY24 BJA Visiting Fellows Program (O-BJA-2024-172165) FAQs

What is the BJA FY24 Visiting Fellows Program?

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY24 Visiting Fellows Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity that supports structured fellowships focused on developing and elevating leaders in the criminal justice field. The program is designed to invest in current and emerging professionals who can help advance national criminal justice policy priorities while strengthening ties between federal DOJ staff and practitioners and researchers working in the field.

What is the main purpose or goal of this program?

The overall goal is to support fellowships that give selected Fellows the time, resources, and formal connection to BJA to work on priority criminal justice issues at the national level. A core theme is cross-development: creating opportunities for DOJ staff and field-based professionals (practitioners and researchers) to collaborate and learn from each other.

Who administers this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards under this solicitation are made as cooperative agreements. In general, that means BJA expects to play an active partnership role during the project period, rather than taking a hands-off approach.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the solicitation description, a cooperative agreement indicates BJA expects substantial involvement in the fellowship work during the project period. Practically, this aligns with the program design emphasizing direct engagement and collaboration with BJA staff.

What are the fellowship categories and how long do they last?

The fellowship structure includes two categories with different lengths:

• Category 1: 24-month fellowships
• Category 2: 36-month fellowships

Is there an expectation about how much time a Fellow devotes to the fellowship?

Yes. A central feature of both fellowship categories is a "dedicated immersion" period. During this period, the Fellow is expected to devote a significant portion of their professional time to fellowship activities.

What kinds of activities does the program emphasize for Fellows?

The program emphasizes working on priority issues that matter at the national level and directly engaging with BJA staff. The fellowship is structured to provide time and resources for meaningful work tied to national criminal justice policy priorities and federal-practitioner-researcher collaboration.

Does the program require in-person participation, or can it be remote?

The program is designed as a blend of virtual and in-person professional exchange. Fellows are expected to collaborate virtually and also through onsite work at BJA offices in Washington, D.C.

Where is the onsite component located?

The onsite work is associated with BJA offices in Washington, D.C.

What is the activity area for this funding opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity area.

Which Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers: 16.040, 16.045, 16.585, 16.596, 16.812, and 16.838. These reflect BJA's broad justice assistance portfolio.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation indicates the grant is open to a wide range of eligible applicants, including:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized tribal governments
• Other tribal organizations
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those specific nonprofit categories)
• For-profit organizations, including small businesses

Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes for-profit organizations, including small businesses.

Can nonprofit organizations apply if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted limitation that certain nonprofit categories are specified as not being institutions of higher education.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligibility includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations.

How many awards does BJA expect to make?

BJA anticipates making about 7 awards under this solicitation.

What is the maximum award amount?

The solicitation lists an award ceiling of $500,000.

When was the application due?

The original application closing date was July 24, 2024.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 30, 2024.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2024-172165.

What kind of program is this, in plain terms?

In practical terms, this program funds structured fellowships that connect Fellows to BJA so they can contribute to national-level criminal justice initiatives. It is best understood as a leadership and policy-focused fellowship investment, with an intentional mix of collaboration, immersion, and engagement with BJA staff.

What makes this fellowship different from a typical project grant?

Based on the description provided, the program is centered on fellowships and leadership development rather than a standard service-delivery or research project grant. It also uses a cooperative agreement model, signaling active involvement by BJA, and it includes a dedicated immersion period plus direct engagement with BJA staff (virtually and onsite in Washington, D.C.).