OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 4 | O BJA 2026 172647

FAQs: OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 4 (BJA)

What is the OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 4?

It is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The program supports placing experienced prosecutors into federally connected roles to strengthen prosecutorial capacity and coordination across jurisdictions.

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

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means DOJ expects to remain actively involved with recipients during the project period, rather than only providing funding and monitoring from a distance.

What is the overall purpose of this program?

The purpose is to boost prosecutorial capacity and intergovernmental coordination among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners by supporting the placement of experienced prosecutors into roles that connect directly to federal enforcement efforts.

What kinds of prosecutor roles can be supported under this program?

Prosecutors supported under this program can serve as cross-designated prosecutors in federally connected roles, including:

• Special Attorneys operating under the direction of the DOJ National Fraud Enforcement Division or the DOJ Criminal Division; and/or
• Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) within a U.S. Attorney's Office.

Do supported prosecutors have to work full-time?

No. Prosecuting agencies can assign or hire qualified prosecutors to work either full-time or part-time, depending on case needs.

Do prosecutors become federal employees under this program?

No. A key feature described in the opportunity is that these attorneys remain employees of their home prosecuting agency while taking on federal assignments for the duration of their appointment.

What crimes or case types are the focus of the funded work?

The work is centered on investigating and prosecuting fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States (referred to in the notice of funding opportunity as "criminal aliens").

Does the program allow work on drug trafficking or human trafficking cases?

Yes. In addition to fraud and related offenses, the program allows cross-designated prosecutors to be tasked with cases involving drug trafficking or human trafficking committed within the United States.

Which DOJ components are involved in directing or coordinating the work?

The opportunity describes involvement by the DOJ National Fraud Enforcement Division, the DOJ Criminal Division, and participating U.S. Attorney's Offices, which will coordinate with selected prosecutors' offices on case-by-case operational logistics and assignment details.

How will coordination and logistics be handled after an award?

DOJ components and participating U.S. Attorney's Offices will coordinate directly with selected prosecutors' offices on a case-by-case basis to address operational logistics, assignment details, and local conditions that affect implementation.

Why does the program emphasize cross-designation and federally connected roles?

The described intent is to expand the availability of prosecutors who can operate across jurisdictional boundaries, work directly alongside federal authorities, and support consistent and effective enforcement of applicable criminal laws.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with other eligible entities as indicated by the notice of funding opportunity.

What does "other units of local government" mean for eligibility?

The notice clarifies that "other units of local government" can include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions of a state. This matters for jurisdictions that are not neatly categorized as a city or county.

Is this opportunity limited to one level of government (state vs. local vs. Tribal)?

No. The opportunity explicitly lists multiple applicant types, including state, county, city/township, and federally recognized tribal governments, and it also references other eligible entities as specified in the notice.

What is the authorizing statute for this program?

This grant program is authorized by Public Law 119-21, Title X, Subtitle A, Part II, Section 100055, codified at 34 U.S.C. 61101.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.076.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172647.

What is the application deadline?

The application closing date is July 8, 2026.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $3,000,000.

What does the program aim to improve in practice?

In practical terms, it is designed to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capacity, expand coordination across levels of government, and improve the ability to pursue complex cases involving fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States, as well as drug and human trafficking matters.

Does the opportunity describe whether prosecutors are assigned or newly hired?

Yes. It states that prosecuting agencies can assign or hire qualified prosecutors to serve in these cross-designated roles.

Does the notice specify where SAUSAs would be placed?

Yes. It notes that prosecutors may be appointed as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) within a U.S. Attorney's Office.

Does the notice indicate that DOJ will be involved after award?

Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement and because DOJ components will coordinate case-by-case, the notice indicates ongoing federal involvement throughout the life of the project.