The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering $2,000,000 in federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds to support law enforcement agencies in Virginia. This funding is intended to help local sheriff's departments that are not the lead law enforcement agencies within their locality purchase equipment to improve daily law enforcement services and enhance officer and public safety. The grant aims to increase capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness within eligible agencies.

The Byrne/JAG grant provides funding exclusively for equipment purchases that directly support law enforcement operations. The grant period is six months, from April 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted through the DCJS Online Grants Management System (OGMS) no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 10, 2025. Late applications will not be considered, and applicants are advised to register in OGMS as soon as possible to avoid technical delays.

Eligible sheriff’s departments may request between $10,000 and $75,000 in funding, including required matching funds. A 25% cash match from local sources is required, meaning federal funds will cover a maximum of 75% of project costs. Grant recipients must maintain records documenting the source and allocation of matching funds. Funds cannot be used to replace state or local funds already allocated for law enforcement needs.

The grant covers purchases such as law enforcement equipment, supplies, computer software, and communications technology. However, it does not fund weapons, ammunition, vehicles, training, indirect costs, construction, lobbying, personal entertainment, or multi-year purchase agreements extending beyond the grant period. All equipment must be purchased and used within the designated six-month timeframe.

Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process, with scoring based on technical compliance, project narrative, goals and objectives, and budget justification. The Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB) will make final funding decisions in March 2025, and awards will be issued by DCJS thereafter. Grantees must submit quarterly financial and status reports to DCJS and comply with federal reporting requirements.

For further assistance, applicants can contact Nicole Phelps at (804) 786-1577 (nicole.phelps@dcjs.virginia.gov) or Natasha Winfree at (804) 659-7593 (natasha.winfree@dcjs.virginia.gov). Technical support for OGMS is available via ogmssupport@dcjs.virginia.gov.