Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2026 172657
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering a FY 2026 invited-to-apply funding opportunity called the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Support Program. The purpose is very specific: provide federal support to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) so it can help its members and their families navigate the PSOB benefits process after a line-of-duty death or a catastrophic injury affecting firefighters and emergency medical workers. The focus is on practical, hands-on assistance that improves access to federal benefits at one of the hardest moments a family or injured responder can face.
This award is designed to fund IAFF efforts that guide applicants through the full lifecycle of a PSOB claim. That includes helping families of fallen firefighters and emergency medical workers with preparing and filing PSOB applications for federal death benefits, and helping catastrophically injured firefighters and emergency medical workers pursue PSOB disability benefits when injuries occur in the line of duty. The funded support is also meant to extend beyond initial filing and continue through the PSOB process, which can involve gathering records, responding to requests for additional information, monitoring claim progress, and providing help with claim review and appeals when a claim is denied or needs further advocacy. In short, the grant supports a wraparound approach so applicants are not left to handle complex federal paperwork and procedural steps on their own.
Structurally, this opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means BJA expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out, rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant with minimal federal engagement. The program sits in the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 16.571, which corresponds to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. Only one award is expected, reinforcing that this is a targeted, invited competition rather than a broad, open solicitation.
Eligibility is effectively limited to the invited organization. While the listing notes "Others" under eligible applicants, the notice explicitly states that the solicitation is for an application from the International Association of Fire Fighters. That means other organizations should not expect to be competitive or eligible in practice, because the NOFO is built around supporting IAFF's membership and its established role in assisting firefighters and emergency medical personnel with PSOB-related matters.
The key funding details are straightforward. The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172657. The anticipated award ceiling is $756,700, and BJA expects to make one award. The original closing date for submission is July 22, 2026. The opportunity was created on July 20, 2026, indicating a short turnaround window consistent with an invited-to-apply notice.
Overall, the grant is aimed at improving outcomes and reducing burdens for survivors and catastrophically injured public safety professionals by funding specialized assistance with PSOB claims, including support with documentation, submissions, follow-up, and appeals when necessary. The intended impact is to help eligible families and injured responders access federal benefits more efficiently and with better guidance, leveraging IAFF's capacity to provide informed, member-focused support throughout what can be a challenging administrative process.Apply for O BJA 2026 172657
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply – Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Support Program" 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 2026-07-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-22. (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 $756,700.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Support Program (FY 2026) - FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity called?
The opportunity is called the FY 2026 Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Support Program.
2) Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering this funding opportunity.
3) What is the main purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to provide federal support to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) so it can help its members and their families navigate the PSOB benefits process following a line-of-duty death or a catastrophic injury affecting firefighters and emergency medical workers.
4) Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The solicitation is for an application from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The opportunity is described as invited-to-apply and targeted to IAFF.
5) Is this an open competition that other organizations can apply for?
No. Although the eligibility listing includes "Others," the notice explicitly states the solicitation is for an application from IAFF, so other organizations should not expect to be eligible or competitive in practice.
6) What type of award is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning BJA typically expects substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out.
7) How many awards does BJA expect to make?
BJA expects to make one award.
8) What is the maximum (ceiling) funding amount?
The anticipated award ceiling is $756,700.
9) What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172657.
10) When is the application due?
The original closing date for submission is July 22, 2026.
11) When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 20, 2026.
12) What program area or funding category does this fall under?
The program sits in the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.
13) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 16.571, which corresponds to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program.
14) Who is supposed to be helped by the work funded under this award?
The funded work is meant to help IAFF members and their families, specifically families of fallen firefighters and emergency medical workers and catastrophically injured firefighters and emergency medical workers pursuing PSOB benefits related to line-of-duty incidents.
15) What kinds of benefits are the focus of the assistance?
The focus includes federal PSOB death benefits (for families of fallen firefighters and emergency medical workers) and PSOB disability benefits (for catastrophically injured firefighters and emergency medical workers) when the incident occurs in the line of duty.
16) What does "hands-on assistance" mean in the context of this program?
It refers to practical, wraparound help with the PSOB claims process, including preparing and filing applications, gathering records, responding to requests for additional information, monitoring claim progress, and assisting with claim review and appeals when needed.
17) Does the support end after the initial application is filed?
No. The description states the assistance is intended to continue through the PSOB process, including follow-up steps and appeals support if a claim is denied or requires additional advocacy.
18) What parts of the PSOB claim lifecycle are specifically mentioned as supported activities?
The opportunity description references help with preparing and filing applications, collecting documentation and records, responding to requests for additional information, tracking and monitoring claim progress, and helping with claim review and appeals.
19) Why is this grant described as "invited-to-apply"?
Because it is a targeted solicitation built around supporting IAFF and its role in helping its members and their families with PSOB-related matters, rather than a broad open solicitation.
20) What is the overall intended impact of the program?
The intended impact is to reduce burdens and improve outcomes for survivors and catastrophically injured public safety professionals by providing specialized guidance through complex federal PSOB paperwork and procedural steps, helping eligible applicants access benefits more efficiently and with better support.
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Previous opportunity: FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program
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