OJJDP FY 2023 National Mentoring Programs | O OJJDP 2023 171618

Opportunity Information: Apply for O OJJDP 2023 171618

The OJJDP FY 2023 National Mentoring Programs grant opportunity is a discretionary federal funding solicitation from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), focused on supporting national mentoring organizations that serve children and youth who are at risk, or at high risk, of juvenile delinquency, victimization, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. The overall intent is to enhance and expand mentoring services at a national scale, while aligning program design and implementation with broader Department of Justice priorities related to civil rights, racial equity, access to justice, community safety, support for crime victims, and strengthening trust between communities and the justice system.

A central theme of the solicitation is OJJDPs push to transform the juvenile justice system in ways that "treat children as children," prioritize keeping youth at home with their families and in their communities whenever possible, and create stronger opportunities for young people who are system-involved. Applications that work directly with youth are expected to clearly show how proposed mentoring efforts fit within these priorities. In practice, this means mentoring is not positioned as a stand-alone service, but as part of a broader strategy to improve youth outcomes, reduce system contact, and strengthen protective factors around young people, especially for those facing heightened exposure to risk factors such as community violence, victimization, instability, or prior system involvement.

Another major requirement is the expectation that youth and families are not just recipients of services, but active partners in shaping how programs operate. OJJDP emphasizes that young people and family members with lived experience bring essential insight into what works, what barriers exist, and how systems and services can be made more effective and equitable. Applicants must describe, in both the project plan and the budget, how they will integrate and sustain meaningful youth and family partnerships rather than treating engagement as a temporary or symbolic activity. The solicitation recognizes multiple levels at which this partnership can happen: at the individual level (for example, youth and families helping guide case planning and service decisions before, during, and after system contact), at the agency level (for example, participation in program development, implementation decisions, evaluation activities, advisory bodies, staffing input, or budget development), and at the system level (for example, involvement in strategic planning, reform initiatives, advocacy strategies, and other collaborative system improvement efforts).

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.726 and categorized under law, justice, and legal services. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is identified as O-OJJDP-2023-171618. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $30,000,000, with an estimated five awards expected, indicating an intent to make a small number of sizable investments in organizations with national reach or national mentoring infrastructure. The solicitation was created on February 27, 2023, with an original application closing date of April 17, 2023. Eligibility is noted as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being provided in the full solicitation materials, which typically means applicants must consult the official notice to confirm which organizational types and structures qualify.

Taken together, the grant opportunity is best understood as a large-scale investment in national mentoring capacity that is expected to do more than expand access to mentors. OJJDP is signaling that funded programs should reflect a youth- and family-centered approach, demonstrate commitment to equity and justice, and show how mentoring will be delivered in ways that are responsive to community needs and the lived experiences of youth and families most affected by juvenile justice involvement and related risks.

• The Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OJJDP FY 2023 National Mentoring Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.726.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 27, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for O OJJDP 2023 171618

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