The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is accepting applications for the 2025 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Title II) Grant Program. This funding opportunity supports state and local initiatives aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and improving the juvenile justice system. The Title II Formula Grant Program provides financial assistance for education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts that address youth involved in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. Eligible applicants must align their proposals with Indiana’s Three-Year Plan for juvenile justice reform and demonstrate measurable impact on youth populations.

The program focuses on eleven priority areas, including alcohol and substance abuse prevention, mentoring and counseling, mental health services, rural area programs, gender-specific services, diversion programs, gang prevention, delinquency prevention, after-school programs, positive youth development, and the deinstitutionalization of status offenders. Applicants must select one priority area per grant application but may submit multiple applications if addressing more than one area. Programs funded under this grant must serve youth under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system in Indiana, which includes individuals up to age 17.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, state agencies, and local government units. All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue, the Department of Workforce Development, and the Secretary of State. A 10% match is required, which can be met through cash or in-kind contributions. The match must be reasonable, verifiable, and directly related to the funded project.

Grant funds can be used to support direct services for youth, including intervention programs, treatment services, educational initiatives, and system improvements. However, funds cannot be used for direct cash assistance to participants, real estate purchases, construction projects, fundraising efforts, religious activities, lobbying, food and entertainment costs, or administrative expenses exceeding 10% of the total grant budget. Programs must be evidence-based, following best practices identified by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and other research institutions.

Applications must be submitted through the IntelliGrants system by February 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted. The funding period runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Funded projects must be operational within 60 days of the start date, and all financial and programmatic reports must be submitted on time. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in grant termination. Award decisions will be based on the strength of the application, alignment with funding priorities, financial sustainability, and compliance with state and federal requirements.

ICJI will conduct a competitive review process, evaluating applications based on technical compliance, project effectiveness, and budget justification. Selected grantees will be subject to monitoring, including desk reviews and site visits, to ensure compliance with grant terms. A pre-application webinar will be held on January 24, 2025, to provide an overview of the program and application process. For technical assistance, applicants may contact the ICJI Helpdesk at CJIHelpDesk@cji.in.gov.