Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program (STCJ)

For program questions:
202.307.6026
OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

JustGrants:
866.655.4482
OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov

System for award management (SAM):
866.606.8220
SAM.gov help desk

This program provides grant support and technical assistance to Tribes for planning, developing, and implementing changes in tribal criminal justice systems necessary to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) for covered crimes, which include assault of tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; sex trafficking; stalking; and violation of a protection order.

The goal of the program is to ensure that victims find safety and justice and that non-Indians who commit covered crimes within their jurisdiction are held accountable.

Funds can be used for one or more of the following:

• To strengthen tribal criminal justice systems to assist Indian Tribes in exercising STCJ, including law enforcement; prosecution; trial and appellate courts; supervision systems; detention and corrections; treatment, rehabilitation, and reentry services; culturally appropriate services and assistance for victims and their families; criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure, appellate procedure, and evidence
• To provide indigent criminal defendants with licensed defense counsel, at no cost to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe prosecutes covered crimes
• To ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe exercises STCJ, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements
• To provide victims of covered crimes rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim described in section 3771(a) of Title 18

Priority consideration will be given to:

• Measures to combat human trafficking and transnational crime, particularly crimes linked to illegal immigration and cartel operations, that support safety and justice for trafficking victims who have also suffered domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and/or stalking
• Projects dedicated to direct victim services and/or criminal justice responses—including investigation, arrest, prosecution, and enforcement of protective orders—particularly in small towns and rural, remote, and Tribal communities

Federally recognized tribal governments that have jurisdiction over Indian country are eligible to apply, including those occupying a village in Alaska. Applications from consortia of Tribes are encouraged.

Award ceiling: $1,500,000
Award floor: $1,000,000
Project period: 2-5 years
Estimated number of awards: 7
Estimated total program funding: $9,000,000

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.

Applications are submitted through a two-step process with the SF-424 due in grants.gov by the August 11, 2026 deadline and the full application, including attachments, in the Just Grants System (JustGrants) by the August 13, 2026 deadline.