The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the opening of the grant solicitation period for comprehensive funding to federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments and tribal consortia to support public safety, victim services and crime prevention.

The Department’s Fiscal Year 2018 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, or “CTAS,” posts at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations. The solicitation contains details about available grants and describes how tribes, tribal consortia and Alaskan villages can apply for the funds.

The funding can be used to enhance law enforcement; bolster adult and juvenile justice systems; prevent and control juvenile delinquency; serve native victims of crimes such as child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse; and support other efforts to combat crime.

“We’re proud to offer American Indian and Alaska Native communities opportunities to continue to improve public safety, better serve victims of crime, and strengthen criminal justice systems,” said Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand. “CTAS projects support Native American women, ensure tribal self-determination, and further our shared goals of safe and secure communities for American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.”

Applications for CTAS are submitted online through the Department’s Grants Management System. Applicants must register with the Grants Management System prior to submitting an application. The application deadline is 9:00 p.m. EST, March 20, 2018.

For the FY 2018 CTAS, applicants will submit a single application and select from any or all of the nine competitive grant programs referred to as “purpose areas.” This approach allows the Department’s grant-making components to consider the totality of a tribal nation’s overall public safety needs.

The nine purpose areas are:

• Public Safety and Community Policing
• Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning
• Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse
• Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program
• Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program
• Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities
• Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program
• Juvenile Justice Wellness Courts
• Tribal Youth Program

In an effort to provide guidance on the Fiscal Year 2018 CTAS, the Department is sponsoring a series of webinars to educate applicants on CTAS application requirements. For details, including how to register for these webinars, visit https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations for the webinar schedule.

Additionally, tribes and tribal consortia may also be eligible for non-tribal federal grant programs and are encouraged to explore other funding opportunities, which may be found at DOJ’s Tribal Justice and Safety website at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations or the www.grants.gov website.

CTAS is administered by the Department’s Offices of Justice Programs, Community Oriented Policing Services, and Violence Against Women.

Today’s announcement is part of the DOJ’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.