BJS FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program | O BJS 2024 172008

FAQs: BJS FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)

What is the BJS FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)?

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) FY24 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity that supports efforts to strengthen the quality and usability of criminal history and related records. The program is focused on making records more accurate, more complete, and easier to share across state lines so they can better support public safety activities and background check processes.

What is the main goal of NCHIP FY24?

The central goal is to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving criminal justice records. In practice, that means improving the underlying record data so it can be used reliably in national systems and for both name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks.

Who is eligible to apply for NCHIP FY24?

Based on the announcement, eligible applicants include states and federally recognized tribal governments.

What types of records or systems does this program aim to improve?

NCHIP FY24 is aimed at improving the data that feeds major national record systems and supports criminal history background checks. The emphasis is on criminal history and related records that need to be accurate, complete, searchable, and shareable across jurisdictions.

How does NCHIP FY24 relate to background checks?

The program supports improvements to records that underpin both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. These checks are commonly used for firearms purchases and for other public safety and employment screening purposes.

What is meant by improving the "end-to-end lifecycle" of criminal history information?

The opportunity describes improving the full process from initial data entry and disposition reporting through final availability in interstate and national systems. In other words, it focuses on reducing gaps or breakdowns anywhere in the record pipeline so the final record is complete and usable when it matters.

What public safety outcomes is BJS trying to support through this program?

The intended public safety payoff is that better records reduce gaps, errors, and delays that can undermine background checks and other criminal justice decision-making, while also supporting more consistent access to information across jurisdictions.

What does it mean that the opportunity is a "discretionary" federal grant?

The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning it is a competitive funding opportunity rather than a guaranteed allocation. Awards are anticipated to be made to a limited number of selected applicants.

What does it mean that NCHIP FY24 is offered as a cooperative agreement?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, BJS typically remains more involved than under a standard grant model. Applicants should expect ongoing coordination, reporting, and alignment with federal priorities for records improvement.

What funding activity category is this opportunity listed under?

The funding activity category is listed as information and statistics, reflecting BJS's mission and the program's emphasis on data systems, data quality, and the infrastructure that makes records reliable and searchable.

When was the solicitation released?

The solicitation was released on March 4, 2024.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was May 13, 2024.

How many awards does BJS anticipate making under NCHIP FY24?

The program anticipates making about 40 awards.

What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?

The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is listed as $70,000,000.

What is the CFDA number for NCHIP FY24?

The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 16.554.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJS-2024-172008.

How does this program connect to the Bipartisan Safer Streets Act?

The announcement notes a broader policy context of supplemental funding under the Bipartisan Safer Streets Act. This signals a specific focus on reducing gun violence by ensuring that disqualifying records are correctly captured and available for background check processes.

What does the announcement mean by "disqualifying records" in the background check context?

The announcement points to the importance of ensuring disqualifying records are correctly captured and available for background checks. It gives examples such as certain felony convictions or other prohibiting factors (depending on applicable law), emphasizing completeness and accuracy so background check processes can function as intended.

Is there a related funding opportunity expected later in FY 2024?

Yes. The announcement notes that a related solicitation, the FY 2024 NICS Act Record Improvement Program, is expected to be released later in FY 2024.

How should applicants think about the relationship between NCHIP and the expected FY 2024 NICS Act Record Improvement Program?

The announcement suggests BJS is separating but coordinating multiple funding streams aimed at improving the broader records ecosystem that supports the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and other national systems.

Why does the program emphasize sharing records across state lines?

The program description highlights making records easier to share across state lines as part of improving usability and reliability. The purpose is to support more consistent access to information across jurisdictions and reduce gaps that can occur when records are incomplete or not available across systems.