BJA FY 21 Economic, High-Technology, White Collar, and Internet Crime Prevention National Training and Technical Assistance Program | O BJA 2021 94006

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BJA FY 21 Economic, High-Technology, White Collar, and Internet Crime Prevention National TTA Program?

It is a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding opportunity intended to strengthen how criminal justice systems nationwide prevent, investigate, and respond to complex, financially motivated, technology-enabled, and online crimes. The program is designed to deliver national training and technical assistance (TTA) and to help the field keep pace with emerging crime trends.

What types of crimes does this program focus on?

The program focuses on economic crime, high-technology offenses, white collar crime, and internet-facilitated criminal activity. Examples referenced include cyber-enabled fraud, cryptocurrency-related investigations, business email compromise, identity theft, online scams, and other technology-driven or financially motivated schemes.

What is the main goal of the grant?

The main goal is capacity-building across jurisdictions by improving skills, tools, and operational readiness so agencies can better prevent these offenses, investigate them effectively, and respond in ways that protect the public, support victims, and maintain community trust.

What does "National Training and Technical Assistance (TTA)" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, TTA refers to a coordinated national effort to provide training, practical guidance, and hands-on support that helps practitioners address fast-changing criminal methods, digital evidence challenges, and sophisticated financial tactics used by offenders.

Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2021-94006.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA listing associated with this opportunity is 16.752.

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That generally indicates substantial involvement and close coordination between BJA and the award recipient during implementation, rather than a purely independent, stand-alone project.

How many awards were anticipated?

The solicitation anticipated a single award.

What is the maximum (ceiling) amount of funding available?

The award ceiling was up to $11,000,000.

When was the opportunity originally posted and when did it close?

The original posting date was May 3, 2021, and the original closing date was June 3, 2021.

Who is the intended audience for the training and technical assistance?

The target audiences are described as "diverse" and typically include law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, analysts, regulatory or oversight partners, and other justice system personnel who need current knowledge and practical support to address these crimes.

Is the program intended to serve agencies in every jurisdiction?

The solicitation frames the program as a national effort to raise capabilities across state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies, recognizing that jurisdictions vary widely in resources and experience.

What kinds of challenges is the program meant to help agencies address?

The program is intended to help agencies address challenges such as evolving offender tactics, digital evidence issues, sophisticated financial methods, and the need for improved investigative strategies and interagency coordination when responding to technology-enabled and financially motivated crimes.

Does the program include a role in tracking or identifying emerging crime trends?

Yes. The opportunity describes the program as functioning as a national hub that tracks new and emerging trends in areas like economic fraud, high-tech offenses, white collar schemes, and internet-facilitated crime, and helps the field adapt to those developments.

How does the solicitation frame DOJ priorities within the TTA work?

The solicitation indicates the work should align with DOJ priorities such as advancing civil rights, expanding access to justice, supporting crime victims, and building trust between law enforcement and communities. This signals an emphasis on lawful, equitable, and victim-centered practices alongside operational effectiveness.

What outcomes is the program expected to support for participating agencies?

Based on the description, expected outcomes include improved prevention and response approaches, more effective investigations, better interagency coordination, and more consistent practices across jurisdictions for addressing economic and internet crime threats.

What does "eligibility is noted as 'Others'" mean?

The listing notes eligibility as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation. This suggests the applicant pool may include certain organizations beyond standard government entities, such as national nonprofits, training providers, research organizations, technical organizations, or other qualified partners capable of delivering a national-level TTA program.

Is this opportunity meant to fund multiple local projects or one coordinated national program?

The description emphasizes a coordinated national training and technical assistance effort rather than simply funding a set of separate, stand-alone activities. It is intended to fund one primary national provider to deliver high-impact TTA.

What is meant by improving "operational readiness" through this program?

In the context provided, operational readiness refers to improving the skills, tools, and practical ability of agencies to handle complex investigations and responses related to cyber-enabled fraud and other technology-driven or financially motivated crimes, particularly in jurisdictions with differing levels of resources and experience.

Does the program explicitly include victim-centered considerations?

Yes. The description states that the program is meant to protect the public while supporting victims and maintaining community trust, and it references DOJ priorities that include supporting crime victims.

Why is community trust mentioned in a program focused on white collar and internet crime?

The solicitation ties the program to broader DOJ priorities, including building trust between law enforcement and communities, indicating that responses and investigative practices are expected to be effective while also being lawful, equitable, and aligned with civil rights and access-to-justice goals.