Grant Alert: BJS FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) Supplemental Funding under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Posted on April 11, 2024 by Morgan Sava
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced the continuation of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) in fiscal year (FY) 2024.
BJS FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) Supplemental Funding under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Available Funds: $40 million
Award Ceiling: No maximum amount
Anticipated Number of Awards: 40
Deadline: May 6, 2024 (Grants.gov) and May 13, 2024 (JustGrants deadline)
Grant Overview
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is dedicated to advancing civil rights, equity, and access to justice while supporting crime victims and strengthening community safety. Through this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) aims to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by enhancing the accuracy, utility, and accessibility of criminal history records. Grant applicants must:
- Have a clear plan to improve the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal history and related records.
- Demonstrate how their project supports national record systems and their use for criminal history record background checks.
- Align their proposals with the objectives outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (P.L. 117–159).
- Ensure compliance with the requirements outlined in the solicitation released on March 4, 2024, for the FY 2024 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP).
Who Can Apply
- State governments - Agencies designated by the governor of their respective state to
administer NCHIP (34 U.S.C. § 40301) - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Other: Courts - The state central administrative office or similar entity designated by
statute or regulation to administer federal grant funds on behalf of the jurisdiction’s court
system
Funding Priorities
- Improve data accessibility and quality, including linking arrest records to case outcomes.
- Enhance accuracy and usability for law enforcement, courts, and public safety.
- Automate and electronically transmit records, including juvenile records.
- Identify ineligible individuals for various positions and firearm purchases.
- Automate processes for sealing and expunging criminal history information.
Areas of focus include:
- Improving access and reporting of adult and juvenile dispositions and mental
health submissions to NICS - Updating and automating case outcomes from courts and prosecutors in
state or tribal records and the FBI’s Criminal History File - Improving access to information (including juvenile record information (under 18
U.S.C. 922(g) or (n)), unless prohibited under state or tribal law) concerning
persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm for mental health
reasons and transmitting relevant records to NICS - Supporting efforts to seal and expunge criminal history information in
accordance with state or tribal laws and policies - Supporting participation in the III and the National Fingerprint File (NFF), including
adoption and implementation of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact - Paying reasonable costs associated with the adoption and implementation of
the Compact, including costs associated with state review and enactment of
the Compact, and the development and implementation of procedures
(including purchase of equipment and development of software) necessary to
facilitate operations pursuant to Compact protocols, including those relating
to participation in the FBI’s NFF
The Application Process
- Registration: Before applying, applicants must register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
- Submission Process: Applications must be submitted electronically through a two-step process starting at the Grants.gov website and finishing at the Justice Grants System website (justicegrants.usdoj.gov).
- Step 1: Register for the opportunity at Grants.gov and submit the required Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF-424) and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) by the gov-established deadline.
- Step 2: Submit the full application, including attachments, at justicegrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants-established deadline.
How Mission Critical Partners Can Help
- Help you understand which project categories align with your needs.
- Help you prepare your application for submission.
- Provide cost estimates to help you determine your organization's priorities.
- Develop your project-narrative sections, including names of firms you plan to partner with, estimates, and timelines.
- Help you develop an application that fully aligns with the grant requirements.
Criminal History Record Services Available from Mission Critical Partners (MCP)
- Scope of work for projects relative to:
- CCH disposition backfill.
- Procurements – e.g., CCH, message switch, automated biometric identification systems (ABIS), live scan, applicant background outsourcing, sex-offender registry (SOR).
- Developmental – e.g., requirements, business case, business-process analysis, current environment assessment.
- Systems integration – developing interfaces between disparate data systems within the justice ecosystem.
- Court dispositions automation – moving away from paper dispositions
- We have:
- Pertinent expertise
- Proven grant language
- Accurate cost estimates
- Resource availability
- Related experience with clients in more than 40 states
Grant Assistance Resources
MCP has years of experience helping our clients answer questions and offering insights on how to craft a successful application.
Topics: Grant Management
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