Grants

BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP): eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)

Updated October 2026 5 min read

Key Facts

Agency
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Award Range
up to $59,000,000
Deadline
Closed 2026-07-14
Time Remaining
This cycle closed on 2026-07-14. Check grants.gov for the next cycle.
CFDA Number
16.606
Bottom line: The BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) provides up to $59,000,000 in funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This NOFO seeks applications for payments under the statutorily required State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to eligible “states” and “units of local government” that incurred certain types of costs due to “incarceration” of “undocumented criminal aliens” during the July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, reporting period. OJP is committed to advancing work that furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.

The BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application once the next cycle opens.

Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), applicants must meet the following criteria:

County governments; State governments; City or township governments.

Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.

Running a for-profit business? None of the three applicant types grants.gov lists for this program is a business type (the full list is in the FAQ below). Save the application hours: see the grants and funding programs businesses can apply for →

Public Safety & Justice programs that do list businesses as eligible: FY26 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program; FY26 Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (PASS).

Not a business? Compare other Public Safety & Justice programs by who can apply.

How to apply: step by step

  1. Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
  2. Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
  3. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from the Grants.gov listing. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
  4. Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
  5. Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit once the next cycle opens. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
  6. Confirm receipt. Keep the tracking number or confirmation email, and check back in 1-2 business days that your application passed the validation checks.

For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.

Grant details

Detail Information
Grant Name BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)
Funding Agency Bureau of Justice Assistance
CFDA Number 16.606
Award Minimum Not published
Award Maximum $59,000,000
Deadline Closed 2026-07-14
Category Public Safety & Justice
Matching Required No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program
Application Link Apply on Grants.gov

Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.

If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.

Get the free grant eligibility screener worksheet (PDF)

Check your fit for Public Safety & Justice grants like this one before you apply: eligibility, match and registration in one worksheet.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)?

County governments; State governments; City or township governments. Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.

Can a for-profit business apply for the BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)?

No. grants.gov lists these applicant types for this program, and for-profit businesses are not among them: County governments; City or township governments; State governments.

What is the deadline for BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)?

The current deadline is closed on 2026-07-14; the next cycle has not been posted. Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check the Grants.gov listing for the next funding opportunity.

Does BJA FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) require matching funds?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program. Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.