Grant Alert: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced the continuation of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) in fiscal year (FY) 2024.

Available Funds: $70 million
Award Ceiling: No maximum amount
Anticipated Number of Awards: 40
Deadline: May 13, 2024 (Grants.gov) and May 20, 2024 (JustGrants deadline)

Grant Overview

The Department of Justice (DOJ), via BJS, funds projects that enhance criminal-history data for the purpose of combatting violent crime, especially gun violence. The goal is to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and utility of data used for background checks, in alignment with DOJ's mission to uphold the law, protect civil rights, foster community safety, and enhance trust as it relates to law enforcement. Grant applicants must:

• Outline strategies for enhancing criminal-history records.
• Demonstrate alignment with DOJ and BJS objectives.
• Provide a plan to address violent crime, especially gun violence through records enhancement.
• Submit a comprehensive application that aligns with program guidelines and requirements.

Who Can Apply

State governments, through agencies appointed by their respective governors to administer NCHIP, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible to apply for the grant.

Funding Priorities

Grant funds may be used for the following categories to enhance the accuracy, accessibility, and utility of criminal-history data:

• To improve reporting of case outcomes (i.e., dispositions).
• To improve reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) regarding persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms for reasons related to mental health.

Areas of focus include:

• Updating and automating case outcome/disposition records from courts and prosecutors.
• Improving access to information concerning persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm for mental-health reasons.
• Supporting participation in the Interstate Identification Index (III) and National Fingerprint File (NFF) programs.
• Supporting efforts to seal and expunge criminal-history information.
• Developing and implementing data visualizations and dashboards.

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.