Plain-language brief
What this opportunity funds
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing and the Administration’s priority of Making America Safe Again by supporting the nation’s state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The FY26 Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) program funding seeks to provide best practices of law enforcement agencies and the many ways they are protecting Americans, enhance officer safety and wellness, build agencies’ capacity for self-improvement and effectiveness, and promote community policing practices nationwide. This funding opportunity has two program subcategories of which applicants may apply for funding: Category 1: Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC). Since 2017, CRI-TAC has provided a wide array of TA services using a “by the field, for the field” approach. The CRI-TAC process is agency-driven and offers customizable, short-term technical assistance on more than 60 topics. Category 2: Collaborative Reform Initiative Critical Response. The Critical Response program is designed to provide targeted TA to law enforcement agencies experiencing high-profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Critical Response is highly customizable and provides flexible assistance to law enforcement agencies in a variety of ways, including after-action reviews; peer-to-peer exchanges; targeted in-depth review, analysis, recommendations, and assessments; and facilitated discussions with subject matter experts. Critical Response projects may vary in duration depending upon scope. For more information about these programs, visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/collaborativereform.
Eligibility at a glance
- Eligible applicants
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification), For profit organizations other than small businesses, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Eligible locations
- Eligible applicants across the United States
- Eligible activities
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Matching requirement
- Not specified
- Registration
- SAM.gov, Grants.gov
Application process
- Read the complete official notice and confirm every eligibility rule.
- Complete required registrations early; federal registrations can take time.
- Build the budget, work plan, evidence, and attachments requested by the sponsor.
- Submit through the official portal and retain the confirmation.
Change history
No material changes have been recorded since this opportunity entered the hub.