OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 5

The OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 5 invites state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies to apply for funding to assign or hire qualified prosecutors as Special Attorneys or Special Assistant United States Attorneys to focus on investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by criminal aliens within the United States. These cross-designated prosecutors will remain employed by their home agencies but will operate under the direction of federal entities including the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Criminal Division, or a U.S. Attorney’s Office, handling cases involving fraud and other offenses tied to alien criminal activity. The program also authorizes assignments involving drug trafficking and human trafficking crimes, enhancing the ability of jurisdictions to collaborate with federal authorities on these critical enforcement priorities. Participation requires coordination with federal offices on a case-by-case basis to accommodate logistical needs and local circumstances. Authorized under Public Law 119-21 and codified at 34 U.S.C. § 61101, the program aims to bolster investigative and prosecutorial capacity, improve intergovernmental cooperation, and expand the availability of dedicated personnel to pursue complex criminal cases involving aliens and trafficking networks. The Bureau of Justice Assistance, under the Department of Justice, administers this funding opportunity with a response deadline of July 24, 2026, and applications must be submitted through the Grants.gov portal. Applicants are encouraged to engage with the program’s point of contact for guidance and support, as successful applicants will play a key role in strengthening the national response to transnational and high-priority federal crimes while maintaining alignment with local prosecutorial operations.