Opportunity Information: Apply for O COPS 2026 172562
The FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). Its central goal is to expand law enforcement accreditation as a way to strengthen community policing practices and support the broader public safety priority of "Making America Safe Again." The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means recipients should expect an ongoing working relationship with the COPS Office during the project period rather than a hands-off grant.
This funding is aimed specifically at building up the infrastructure that helps law enforcement agencies achieve and maintain accreditation. In practical terms, the COPS Office is looking to either establish new accreditation bodies or bolster existing state or territorial accreditation bodies. The funded work can include hands-on technical assistance for agencies pursuing accreditation, helping cover or offset the direct costs associated with accreditation, and improving the overall experience for agencies by enhancing customer service and strengthening outreach and marketing. The opportunity also highlights the development of user-friendly policy templates, which can reduce the burden on agencies by providing clear, standardized, and accessible guidance for meeting accreditation standards.
Eligibility is broad and includes public sector, nonprofit, private, and community-based entities. Applicants may include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other eligible community-based organizations such as faith-based organizations and community groups. A key restriction applies to past awardees: organizations that received accreditation-related funding in FY2024 or FY2025 will not be considered for FY2026 funding under this program.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 16.710, with the funding activity category of Law, Justice and Legal Services. The award ceiling is $350,000 per award, and the COPS Office anticipates making about 9 awards. The funding opportunity number is O-COPS-2026-172562. The notice was created on July 21, 2026, and the original application closing date is August 27, 2026.Apply for O COPS 2026 172562
- The Community Oriented Policing Services in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.710.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-27. (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 $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program FAQs
What is the FY26 CPD Accreditation Program?
The FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The central goal is to expand law enforcement accreditation in order to strengthen community policing practices and support the broader public safety priority described as "Making America Safe Again."
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity.
What type of award is this program using?
The program is structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does "cooperative agreement" mean for recipients?
A cooperative agreement generally means recipients should expect an ongoing working relationship with the COPS Office during the project period, rather than a hands-off arrangement.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The main purpose is to build the infrastructure that helps law enforcement agencies achieve and maintain accreditation by establishing new accreditation bodies or strengthening existing state or territorial accreditation bodies.
What kinds of projects are encouraged under this program?
Projects are focused on strengthening accreditation infrastructure and support, including establishing new accreditation bodies or bolstering existing state or territorial accreditation bodies, and improving how agencies access and experience accreditation support.
Can the funding be used to provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies pursuing accreditation?
Yes. The opportunity specifically includes hands-on technical assistance for agencies pursuing accreditation as an eligible funded activity.
Can the funding be used to help cover the direct costs of accreditation?
Yes. The funded work can include helping cover or offset the direct costs associated with accreditation.
Is improving customer service and outreach an allowable focus?
Yes. The opportunity highlights improving the overall experience for agencies by enhancing customer service and strengthening outreach and marketing.
Does the program support creating policy templates for accreditation?
Yes. The opportunity highlights developing user-friendly policy templates to reduce burden on agencies by providing clear, standardized, and accessible guidance for meeting accreditation standards.
Is this funding intended for individual law enforcement agencies or for accreditation bodies and supporting organizations?
The funding is aimed specifically at building infrastructure that supports accreditation, including establishing or strengthening accreditation bodies and providing support functions (technical assistance, cost offsets, outreach, and templates) that help law enforcement agencies achieve and maintain accreditation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public sector, nonprofit, private, and community-based entities. Examples include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other eligible community-based organizations such as faith-based organizations and community groups.
Are Tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are included among eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included among eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
Are community-based and faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Other eligible community-based organizations are included, such as faith-based organizations and community groups.
Is there a restriction on prior awardees?
Yes. Organizations that received accreditation-related funding in FY2024 or FY2025 will not be considered for FY2026 funding under this program.
If an organization received accreditation-related funding in FY2024 or FY2025, can it apply anyway?
No. The opportunity states those organizations will not be considered for FY2026 funding under this program.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 16.710.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $350,000 per award.
How many awards does the COPS Office expect to make?
The COPS Office anticipates making about 9 awards.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is O-COPS-2026-172562.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on July 21, 2026.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is August 27, 2026.
What is the overall emphasis of the program?
The program emphasizes expanding law enforcement accreditation as a way to strengthen community policing practices and support the public safety priority described as "Making America Safe Again."
Does the program focus on establishing new accreditation bodies?
Yes. The COPS Office is looking to either establish new accreditation bodies or bolster existing state or territorial accreditation bodies.
Does the program focus on strengthening existing accreditation bodies?
Yes. Strengthening (bolstering) existing state or territorial accreditation bodies is an explicit focus.
Is the support limited to state-level accreditation bodies?
The opportunity specifically mentions state or territorial accreditation bodies as targets for establishment or strengthening.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services
Next opportunity: Research, Education, and Outreach on Botanical Natural Products
Previous opportunity: Annual Program Statement (APS) – Public Diplomacy Grants Program: Advancing America First Priorities
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for O COPS 2026 172562
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O COPS 2026 172562) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY26 Safer Outcomes Program Apply for O COPS 2026 172549 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172549 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| BJA FY 2026 Enhancing Security Measures for Houses of Worship Apply for O BJA 2026 172658 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172658 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Legal Competency and Training Program in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Apply for DFOP0019436 Funding Number: DFOP0019436 Agency: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,466,250 |
| BJA FY 2026 Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172661 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172661 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "O COPS 2026 172562", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.