OJJDP FY24 Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Child Protection Professionals | O OJJDP 2024 172154

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "OJJDP FY24 Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Child Protection Professionals".

2) Which federal office is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-OJJDP-2024-172154.

4) What is the main purpose of this solicitation?

The purpose is to strengthen the child protection workforce by developing and promoting post-secondary education and professional continuing education opportunities for practitioners who routinely encounter child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and related child safety concerns.

5) What types of education and training does OJJDP want to support?

The solicitation emphasizes practical, career-relevant education that improves how different professions recognize, respond to, investigate, document, and prosecute child victimization, while also supporting victims appropriately.

6) Who is this program intended to benefit?

The intended audience is the broader child protection ecosystem, especially professionals who may encounter child victimization in their work.

7) Which professions are specifically highlighted as child protection professionals?

OJJDP specifically highlights law enforcement officers, social workers, mental health professionals, medical health professionals, and prosecutors.

8) Does the opportunity encourage cross-training or interdisciplinary approaches?

Yes. The description indicates the education and training may include interdisciplinary or cross-training approaches that help agencies coordinate better and apply consistent, evidence-informed practices when child safety is at stake.

9) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.

10) What does a cooperative agreement imply about OJJDP's role?

Based on the solicitation description, a cooperative agreement typically means OJJDP expects to have substantial involvement during the project period, rather than only issuing funds and stepping back.

11) What activity category is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity sits in the "Law, Justice and Legal Services" activity category.

12) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA 16.758.

13) How many awards does OJJDP expect to make?

OJJDP anticipates making about two awards under this solicitation.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $400,000 per award.

15) What does the expected number of awards and award ceiling suggest about competitiveness?

With about two awards anticipated nationally and a defined ceiling of $400,000 per award, this appears to be a competitive solicitation with limited funded projects.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• City or township governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education under those nonprofit categories)
• For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)

17) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

18) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible.

19) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible, with the noted exception that institutions of higher education are not treated under those nonprofit categories in the eligibility listing.

20) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.

21) Does the eligibility list suggest partnerships are allowed?

The broad eligibility structure suggests OJJDP is open to partnerships among universities, training providers, justice agencies, and community or tribal organizations, as long as the applicant can credibly deliver education and continuing professional development for the child protection workforce.

22) What kinds of workforce outcomes is this funding trying to improve?

The solicitation aims to improve real-world child protection practice by strengthening how professionals identify child victimization, respond appropriately, and carry out key functions such as investigation, documentation, and prosecution, while ensuring victims are supported.

23) When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on May 29, 2024.

24) What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was July 1, 2024.

25) How can this grant be summarized in plain terms?

It is a federal investment in building stronger, more consistent training pipelines and continuing education options for professionals responsible for protecting children, with funding intended to help create, expand, or promote education that improves child protection practice across disciplines.