OJJDP FY2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs: Apply for Up to $4 Million
By winivas Organisations delivering youth mentoring services across several states can currently apply for the OJJDP FY2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs competition.
OJJDP has approximately $27.2 million available and expects to make around 15 awards.
Individual grants range from approximately $1 million to $4 million.
What Is the Program For?
The programme supports mentoring for young people considered at risk or high risk for:
- Delinquency;
- Victimisation;
- Juvenile justice involvement.
Mentoring can take different forms, including:
- One-to-one mentoring;
- Group mentoring;
- Peer mentoring;
- Combination models.
The key is that services operate across multiple jurisdictions or states and use a structured approach.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments;
- Local governments;
- Federally recognised Tribal governments;
- Independent school districts;
- Public and private higher-education institutions;
- Nonprofits;
- Special district governments.
The opportunity is better suited to organisations with existing multi-jurisdictional capacity than a small organisation seeking to launch one mentoring site.
Funding
Total programme funding: $27.2 million
Expected awards: 15
Award floor: $1 million
Award ceiling: $4 million
Matching requirement: None
What Makes a Strong Application?
The proposal should explain:
- Which youth will be served;
- Why they face elevated risk;
- Mentoring model;
- Mentor recruitment;
- Mentor screening;
- Training;
- Matching process;
- Retention;
- Safety;
- Outcome measurement.
Applicants should also demonstrate the organisational infrastructure needed to deliver consistent mentoring across multiple locations.
Deadlines
Grants.gov deadline: October 29, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
JustGrants deadline: November 5, 2026 at 8:59pm ET.
Official Application Link
Opportunity Number: O-OJJDP-2026-172745
View the official OJJDP opportunity
Applicants should begin with Grants.gov before moving into the full JustGrants submission.
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