DOJ FY2026 Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program

Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, becoming Public Law 119-21 on July 4, 2025. It provides $3 billion in funding for grants and cooperative agreements to the criminal justice community. Over the past year, the Consortium of Forensic Science Organization (CFSO) has worked with Congress and the Department of Justice to ensure that forensic science practitioners and their needs would be eligible to apply for this grant. The first Notice of Opportunity for Funding (NOFO) was released on June 15, 2026. We strongly encourage you to apply for this grant. We have provided some details pertaining to forensic science eligibility below with links to the solicitation above.

PURPOSE OF FUNDING

• Collection and analysis of law enforcement investigative information within the United States to counter gang or other criminal activity.
• Investigating and prosecuting: (1) crimes committed by aliens within the United States; and (2) drug and human trafficking crimes committed within the United States.
• Vehicle maintenance, logistics, transportation, and other support provided to law enforcement agencies by a state agency to enhance the ability to locate and apprehend aliens who have committed crimes under federal, state, or local law, in addition to being unlawfully present in the United States​

ELIGIBLE FUNDING CATEGORIES

1. Hiring of Non-Law Enforcement Personnel — Funding can be used for the hiring, retention, and training of critical personnel across the full continuum of criminal justice operations for the purposes cited above. Examples of personnel could include but need not be limited to the following: forensic, investigative, analytical; prosecution and legal support; corrections, detention, and custodial; and transportation, security, and operations logistics. Funding may not be used for co-responders, interpreters, or translators.
2. Purchase of Technology and Equipment — Funding can be used to purchase and support multi-year implementation, ongoing subscriptions, training, and maintenance of equipment and advanced technology to address critical resource gaps and enhance capacity to support criminal justice operations related to the purposes cited above. Note: If you apply for and receive funding for Unmanned Arial Systems (UAS), bodyworn cameras, body armor, and/or National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) machines, you will be required to submit equipment-specific certifications and other documentation as a condition of your award.

TIMING

NOFO WILL BE RELEASED IN MULTIPLE ROUNDS with Awards made on a rolling basis.

Round 1 Release Date: June 15, 2026
• Grants.gov Deadline: 11:59 pm ET on July 15, 2026
• JustGrants Deadline: 8:59 pm ET on July 17, 2026

Round 2 Release Date: July 20, 2026
• Grants.gov Deadline: 11:59 pm ET on August 19, 2026
• JustGrants Deadline: 8:59 pm ET on August 21, 2026

Round 3 Release Date: August 24, 2026
• Grants.gov Deadline: 11:59 pm ET on September 23, 2026
• JustGrants Deadline: 8:59 pm ET on September 24, 2026
 

ELIGIBILITY

Government entities: State, County, City/Township, Special District Governments, Native American Tribal Governments.

*Please check the NOFO for policy limitations on eligibility such as the prohibitions on certain actions by State and local government entities, agencies, and officials regarding information on citizenship and immigration status.

Download pdf here: https://www.ojp.gov/funding/docs/bja-2026-172641.pdf