The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is accepting applications for the 2025–2026 Juvenile Diversion Planning Grant Program. This initiative is established under Indiana Code § 31-40-5-6 and aims to support local planning efforts that reduce juvenile justice system involvement by funding diversion program development. The grant's key focus areas include preventing further legal involvement for youth, offering adjudication alternatives that match community protection needs and youth risk levels, promoting restorative justice practices, and reducing recidivism through evidence-based interventions.

Eligible applicants include public entities, state and local governments, nonprofits, and nongovernmental organizations serving youth who are involved in or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. Applicants must be prequalified and demonstrate good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue, Department of Workforce Development, and Secretary of State. Nongovernmental applicants are required to collaborate with referring entities and include letters of support. Each funded grant must be overseen by a local or regional Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) or another collaborative body of juvenile justice stakeholders.

Each eligible county may receive up to $20,000 for a one-year planning grant to assess and prepare for implementing diversion programs. Applicants may serve multiple counties but must provide individualized plans for each and specify the percentage of services per county. Collaboration with JRAC and other stakeholders is required and must include needs assessments, system data review, identification of potential community partners, best-practice evaluation, and consideration of regional efficiencies.

Applications must be submitted online through IntelliGrants no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 17, 2025. A webinar will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET to provide an overview of the program and answer applicant questions. Attendance is optional, and no registration is required. The grant award period is from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and projects must begin within 60 days of the start date. All final fiscal and program reports are due within 30 days of project end.

Allowable costs include personnel, benefits, supplies, travel for program observation, technical assistance, and expenses related to planning and preparing an evidence-based or restorative justice program. Administrative costs are permitted up to 10% of the budget but must be documented within program time allocations. Unallowable costs include direct financial assistance to clients, real estate or vehicle purchases, construction, indirect cost rates, and lobbying activities.

Required application components include a problem statement, list of partners, timeline, basic budget, and projected outcomes. Supporting attachments such as the collaboration plan, timeline, audit records, job descriptions (if applicable), and other relevant documentation must be submitted. Monthly or quarterly reporting is required, and grantees must provide documentation for all expenditures.

Applications are evaluated based on completeness, alignment with program objectives, legal compliance, budget allowability, applicant eligibility, and risk assessment. Contact CJIHelpDesk@cji.in.gov for technical assistance with IntelliGrants. For additional program information, applicants may reference materials and user guides available on the ICJI website.