BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply- Continuation of the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) National Law Enforcement Survivor Support and National Firefighter and First Responder Survivor Support Programs | O BJA 2023 171836

Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2023 171836

This Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding opportunity, issued by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is a FY 2023 invited continuation solicitation to support the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) survivor support work carried out through two national programs: the National Law Enforcement Survivor Support Program and the National Firefighter and First Responder Survivor Support Program. The core purpose is to make sure the families of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty, as well as officers and families dealing with catastrophic line-of-duty injuries, have practical, informed, and compassionate assistance in navigating the federal benefits process and accessing ongoing survivor services.

The program is grounded in OJP's broader priorities that emphasize civil rights and racial equity, improved access to justice, support for victims and people impacted by the justice system, stronger community safety, protection from evolving threats, and trust-building between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Within that context, this solicitation focuses on the unique needs that arise immediately after a line-of-duty death or catastrophic injury and often persist for years afterward. It funds national-level capacity to help survivors understand and apply for federal PSOB benefits, including hands-on help with preparing and submitting claims, gathering required documentation, and troubleshooting common issues that can delay or complicate benefit determinations.

Beyond application support, the opportunity funds survivor-centered services designed to reduce isolation and help families cope with trauma and loss. This includes survivor peer support, counseling services, and the development and distribution of resources that survivors can use to understand available benefits, plan next steps, and connect with others who have lived through similar experiences. The solicitation also supports efforts to recognize fallen officers and their families at memorial events, reflecting an intention to honor service and sacrifice while maintaining an ongoing network of support.

From an administrative standpoint, the award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement in guiding or coordinating certain aspects of the work as compared with a standard grant. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.571 and is categorized under Law, Justice, and Legal Services. It was created on August 1, 2023, with an original closing date of August 10, 2023, signaling a limited application window consistent with an invited continuation action. BJA anticipated making two awards, with an award ceiling of $1,800,000. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with further clarification expected in the solicitation's additional eligibility information, consistent with continuation funding that is often limited to specific invited entities already operating these national survivor support efforts.

The legal authority for this funding is tied directly to the PSOB statutes at 34 U.S.C. 10281(a), which addresses death benefits, and 34 U.S.C. 10283, which authorizes national programs for families of public safety officers who have sustained fatal or catastrophic injury in the line of duty. In practical terms, the solicitation supports a nationwide infrastructure that helps survivors access PSOB benefits and related supports while also ensuring that the sacrifices of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders are formally recognized and that their families are not left to navigate the aftermath alone.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply- Continuation of the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) National Law Enforcement Survivor Support and National Firefighter and First Responder Survivor Support Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.571.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 01, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 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 $1,800,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for O BJA 2023 171836

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