Grants to USA Courts, IHEs, Nonprofits, Individuals, Agencies, and For-Profits for Activities to Enhance the Court System

Project Grants

Agency

Federal

GrantWatch ID#

175921

Funding Source

State Justice Institute (SJI)

Geographic Focus

All USA

Important Dates

Deadline: 08/01/23

Grant Description

Grants to USA courts, related court organizations, IHEs, nonprofit organizations, individuals, government agencies, and corporations for projects that enhance training and education related to courts and the justice system. The purpose of the program is to improve justice administration in courts at all levels. Funding may be requested for innovative research, education, demonstration, evaluation, training, and technical assistance projects.

SJI was established by the State Justice Institute Authorization Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10701 et seq.) to improve the administration of justice in the state courts of the United States. The SJI Board of Directors has established Priority Investment Areas for grant funding. For FY2023 Priority Investment Areas, see https://www.sji.gov/priority-investment-areas/ .

Project Grants are the centerpiece of SJI’s efforts to improve the administration of justice in state courts nationwide. Project Grants are intended to support innovative education and training, demonstration, and technical assistance projects that can improve the administration of justice in state courts locally or nationwide.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

SJI is authorized by Congress to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to the following entities and types of organizations:

- State and local courts and their agencies (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(A)).

- National nonprofit organizations controlled by, operating in conjunction with, and serving the judicial branches of state governments (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(B)).

- National nonprofit organizations for the education and training of judges and support personnel of the judicial branch of state governments (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(1)(C)). An applicant is considered a national education and training applicant under section 10705(b)(1)(C) if:
1. The principal purpose or activity of the applicant is to provide education and training to state and local judges and court personnel; and
2. The applicant demonstrates a record of substantial experience in the field of judicial education and training.

- Other eligible grant recipients (42 U.S.C. 10705 (b)(2)(A)–(D)).

a. Provided that the objectives of the project can be served better, the Institute is also authorized to make awards to: a. Nonprofit organizations with expertise in judicial administration b. Institutions of higher education c. Individuals, partnerships, firms, corporations (for-profit organizations must waive their fees) d. Private agencies with expertise in judicial administration
b. SJI may also make awards to state or local agencies and institutions other than courts for services that cannot be adequately provided through nongovernmental arrangements (42 U.S.C. 10705(b)(3)).

Ineligible

SJI is prohibited from awarding grants to federal, tribal, and international courts.

Examples of expenses not covered by Project Grants include the salaries, benefits, or travel of full-or part-time court employees. Funding may not be used for the ordinary, routine operations of court systems.

Prohibited uses of SJI funds can be found at https://www.sji.gov/wp-content/uploads/SJI-Grant-Application-Guide.pdf#page=18.

Pre-Application Information

The SJI Board makes awards on a federal fiscal year quarterly basis. Applications may be submitted at any time but will only be considered for award based on the timetable below:

FY Quarter 1 / Application Due Date: Nov 1
FY Quarter 2 / Application Due Date: Feb 1
FY Quarter 3 / Application Due Date: May 1
FY Quarter 4 / Application Due Date: Aug 1

All grant applications must be submitted via the online Grant Management System (GMS).

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline noted above. SJI urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date, in order to allow time for the applicant to receive an application acceptance message and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may arise, such as missing or incomplete forms.

All applicants are required to contribute a cash match greater than or equal to the SJI award amount. This means that grant awards by SJI must be matched at least dollar for dollar by grant applicants. For example, if SJI provides $300,000 in funds then the applicant cash match must be at least $300,000. Applicants may contribute the required cash match directly or in cooperation with third parties.

Estimated Size of Grant

- Project Grants for state court and national non-profit organization applicants may not exceed $300,000.
- Applications from local court applicants may not exceed $200,000.

Term of Contract

- Project Grants for state court and national non-profit organization applicants may not exceed 36 months in duration.
- Applications from local court applicants may not exceed 24 months.

Contact Information

Apply Online: https://gms.sji.gov/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F

Questions related to the SJI Grant Program or the SJI GMS must be directed to contact@sji.gov.

State Justice Institute
12700 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 340
Fairfax, VA 22033
Tel: 703.660.4979

Grants to USA Courts, IHEs, Nonprofits, Individuals, Agencies, and For-Profits for Activities to Enhance the Court System

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