OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 7 | O BJA 2026 172684

FAQs: OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program (Round 7)

What is the OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 7?

It is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The program supports prosecuting agencies in expanding their capacity to investigate and prosecute certain crimes by assigning or hiring prosecutors who can be cross-designated to work in partnership with federal authorities.

What type of federal funding instrument is this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered through a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally means award recipients should expect closer federal involvement and coordination than with a standard grant.

Who is the funding agency for this program?

The funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

What is the main goal of the program?

The program is designed to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capacity and expand intergovernmental coordination by increasing the pool of prosecutors who can operate across local, state, Tribal, territorial, and federal systems through coordinated prosecution.

What does "cross-designation" mean in this program?

Cross-designation means participating prosecutors remain employees of their home prosecuting agency but are appointed to perform certain prosecutorial functions in partnership with federal authorities. Under this program, they may be appointed either as Special Attorneys (under the direction of the National Fraud Enforcement Division or the Criminal Division) or as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) embedded within a U.S. Attorney's Office.

Do cross-designated prosecutors stop being employees of their local or state agency?

No. The NOFO description indicates prosecutors remain employees of their home prosecuting agency even while serving in cross-designated roles.

What federal components may cross-designated prosecutors work with or under?

Based on the NOFO description, cross-designated prosecutors may be appointed as Special Attorneys under the direction of the National Fraud Enforcement Division or the Criminal Division, or they may serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) embedded within a U.S. Attorney's Office.

Can prosecutors serve part-time, or must they be full-time?

The NOFO description states that prosecutors may serve either full-time or part-time depending on operational needs and the cases assigned.

What kinds of crimes are the primary focus of this program?

The primary focus is investigating and prosecuting fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States, referred to in the NOFO as "criminal aliens."

Are drug trafficking or human trafficking cases included?

Yes. In addition to the primary focus, cross-designated prosecutors may also be assigned matters involving drug trafficking or human trafficking committed within the United States.

How will case selection and supervision work under this program?

The NOFO description emphasizes operational coordination and indicates that the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney's Offices will work with selected prosecutor offices on a case-by-case basis. This suggests that roles, case selection, supervision, and other practical details may be tailored to each jurisdiction and assignment.

Will program logistics be standardized across all jurisdictions?

Not necessarily. The NOFO description signals that logistics and local circumstances will be addressed case-by-case, and that practical details (such as workspace, access to systems, and coordination with federal investigators) may be tailored to each jurisdiction and assignment.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other units of local government.

What counts as an "other unit of local government" for this NOFO?

For this NOFO, the term is explicitly defined to include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions of a state.

Is this opportunity a discretionary award?

Yes. The NOFO description identifies it as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.076.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under law, justice, and legal services.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172684.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting/creation date is August 12, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is August 25, 2026.

Is the award ceiling listed in the information provided?

No. The information provided does not specify an award ceiling.

Does the information provided state how many awards will be made?

No. The information provided does not specify the expected number of awards.

Does the information provided explain allowable costs, staffing models, or match requirements?

No. The summary provided indicates these details are not specified here and suggests applicants refer to the full NOFO for funding ranges, allowable costs, staffing models, and any cost-sharing or match requirements if applicable.

What is the legal authority for the program?

The program is authorized under Public Law 119-21, Title X, Subtitle A, Part II, Section 100055, codified at 34 U.S.C. 61101.

What outcomes is the program intended to support?

Based on the NOFO description, intended outcomes include stronger investigative and prosecutorial capacity, expanded intergovernmental coordination, improved ability to bring cases involving fraud and other crimes committed by aliens in the United States, and support for coordinated prosecution across different levels of government.