BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program | O BJA 2026 172721

FAQs: BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program (CFDA 16.585)

What is the BJA FY 2026 Adult Treatment Court Program?

It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), focused on strengthening Adult Treatment Courts (ATCs) that serve high-risk, high-need adults in the criminal justice system who have substance use disorders.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central goal is to prevent overdoses and reduce the use of opioids, stimulants, and other substances by improving how Adult Treatment Courts operate, expand services, and manage participants from entry through completion, while also promoting public safety.

What types of activities does the grant support?

The funding supports both implementation of Adult Treatment Court programs and enhancement of existing Adult Treatment Court operations, with an emphasis on approaches that improve participant outcomes and strengthen day-to-day program effectiveness.

Who is the program intended to serve?

The program is focused on adults who are involved in the criminal justice system and are considered high-risk and high-need, specifically adults with substance use disorders.

What is an Adult Treatment Court (ATC) in this program?

Adult Treatment Courts are described as structured, court-supervised programs that combine multiple components into a coordinated model designed to support treatment engagement and accountability.

What components are typically included in the Adult Treatment Court model?

The ATC model typically includes active judicial supervision, access to substance use disorder treatment, mandatory and random drug testing, individualized case management, and a system of graduated incentives and sanctions tied to participant behavior and progress.

Does the ATC framework include recovery support services?

Yes. The opportunity highlights recovery support services as part of the ATC framework, emphasizing that successful programs combine supervision and accountability with practical supports that help participants stabilize, engage in treatment, and reduce relapse and reoffending risk.

How does this program relate to public safety?

While the program emphasizes treatment and recovery, it is also framed as a public safety strategy by improving supervision, accountability, and coordination in ways that can reduce relapse and reoffending while lowering overdose risk.

What federal agency is offering this grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

Is this a formula grant or a competitive/discretionary grant?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary federal grant opportunity.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 16.585.

What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls within the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172721.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $2,500,000 per award.

When is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is October 30, 2026.

When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of September 21, 2026.

Which types of applicants are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as additional eligible applicants categorized as "Others."

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

For purposes of eligibility and interpretation, "other units of local government" includes towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions of a state.

What does BJA mean by "state agencies" in the eligibility context?

"State agencies" can include state administering agencies (SAAs), administrative offices of the courts, state criminal justice agencies, state substance abuse agencies, and other state-level entities involved in substance use, mental health, or related service areas.

Is this grant only for jurisdictions starting a new Adult Treatment Court?

No. The funding supports both implementation of Adult Treatment Courts and enhancement of existing Adult Treatment Court operations.

What kinds of program improvements does BJA appear to emphasize?

The emphasis is on improving how treatment courts operate, expanding services, strengthening coordination among justice and treatment partners, and delivering a consistent, evidence-informed mix of supervision, treatment engagement, testing, case planning, and recovery supports across the full participant lifecycle (from entry through completion).

What substances does the opportunity specifically mention?

The opportunity specifically mentions reducing the use of opioids and stimulants, and also references other substances more broadly.

What participant outcomes is the program trying to improve?

Based on the description, the program aims to reduce overdose risk, reduce substance use, support treatment engagement and stabilization, and reduce relapse and reoffending, while promoting public safety.

How does participant management factor into the program design?

The opportunity emphasizes improving how Adult Treatment Courts manage participants from entry through completion, suggesting attention to consistent processes, supervision, treatment engagement, testing, case management, and recovery supports throughout participation.

What is the overall purpose of the grant in practical terms?

In practical terms, the grant is designed for jurisdictions seeking to build or improve an Adult Treatment Court that can more effectively identify and serve participants with significant treatment needs and higher risk profiles, coordinate closely among justice and treatment partners, and operate more effectively day to day.