FAQ

Agencies should only request funding for the specific amount needed to obtain the requested item(s). Requests cannot exceed $150,000 per agency. Agencies may submit one or more applications. However, the combined requested amount cannot exceed the $150,000 cap. For example, a group of interdiction teams from one law enforcement agency can only request $150,000 combined for the entire agency. Costs should be reasonable.

An applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered for this program:
  • Must be a small, rural, or tribal law enforcement agency located within the Northern and Middles region of the U.S. to include: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming
  • Serve a population size of 100,000 or less
  • Have permission from the agency’s governing authority to receive the award
  • Be able to comply with post-award reporting requirements
  • If applicable, be able to provide law enforcement staff members with the necessary training on the use and implementation of purchased equipment or systems

Yes. If an agency has not applied for the full $150,000 in its first application, it could submit an additional application if the total amount requested does not exceed the $150,000 cap.

Yes. Multiple sections/divisions under one law enforcement agency are permitted to apply, but the total amount requested cannot exceed the $150,000 cap. If multiple requests are received from one agency, BJA may contact the agency’s administrator to inquire whether there is a priority order for the requested funding.

Multiple departments or agencies can apply for resources to support a task force or an interdiction team, but the total amount requested cannot exceed $150,000. For example, while an agency is permitted to apply for resources of up to $150,000 to support its individual agency purposes, two separate agencies cannot each receive $150,000 and combine the funds ($300,000) to support a task force. The maximum the two agencies could receive to support the task force would be $150,000 total.

Funding will be made available to law enforcement agencies within the Northern and Middle states through a reimbursed subaward process. Agencies may request up to $150,000 in funding for equipment and items that support the program purposes outlined above, including, but not limited to the items listed below:
  • K-9-unit support, (e.g., K-9s, K-9 and handler training, K-9 maintenance, and K-9 unit vehicle modifications)
  • Computers/laptops and peripherals (communications cards are not covered)
  • In-car video camera systems
  • Automated license plate readers
  • moving radars
  • 3D scanner systems
  • narcotic/explosive detection equipment
  • videoscope inspection systems
  • evidence collection/processing kits
  • driver’s license scanners
  • records management systems
  • computer-aided dispatch systems
  • citation, crash, and mapping systems
  • other items, as requested
Agencies should only request funding for the specific amount needed to obtain the requested item(s). Requests cannot exceed $150,000 per agency. Agencies may submit one or more applications. However, the combined requested amount cannot exceed the $150,000 cap. For example, a group of interdiction teams from one law enforcement agency can only request $150,000 combined for the entire agency.

Note: This program is not designed for COVID-19 expenses, but should an agency provide an extreme circumstance need, the request will be reviewed.

Yes, funding can be used to sustain a currently operating program if the funding supports one or more of the program purposes. The funding cannot supplant items or services already budgeted by the agency.

Items normally provided by a law enforcement agency during its mission are not included in this program, as well as some specialty purpose items. These include:
  • Vehicles (including all-terrain vehicles)
  • Weapons
  • Uniforms
  • Riot gear
  • Vests
  • Radios, as well as radio communications towers
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”)
  • Any other standard-issue items
Also, with funding available through BJA’s body-worn camera microgrant program, body-worn cameras (BWCs) are not funded under this program.

Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Law enforcement agencies that serve a population of 100,000 or less and are located within Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming are eligible to apply. A small or rural law enforcement agency may be located in either:
  • An area or community, respectively, where no part is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area or
  • An area or community, respectively, that is within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area, or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area, but is located within a rural census tract.
A tribal law enforcement entity must be one that is part of a federally recognized Indian tribe and is located within Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Applications are available in three formats (an online form, a downloadable PDF, or in print) and can be submitted in several ways.
  1. Online Form: Refer to this Application page.

  2. Download a Fillable PDF: Applicants may download a PDF version of the application or may request the PDF form by email at NORMID@NW3C.org. As a completion option, the PDF is designed as a fillable form that, when using an Adobe- or Acrobat-based application, can be completed using a computer and saved for later submission to NORMID@NW3C.org. The form may also be filled in by hand. Refer to Printed Applications below for submission information. Note: If any difficulties are experienced when completing and saving the form, agencies may print the form, complete it by hand, and either scan and email it to the address provided, or submit the application by fax or postal mail using the options in Printed Applications below.

  3. Printed Applications: Printed applications may be submitted by email, fax, or postal mail using the following options:
    Email:
    Email a saved (or scanned) PDF of the completed form to NORMID@NW3C.org.

    Fax:
    Fax the completed application using a cover sheet, sent to the attention of:
    NW3C: Northern and Middle States Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Program
    Fax Number: 304-368-2891

    Postal Mail:
    Mail the completed application to the following address.
    National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
    Attention: Northern and Middle States Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Program
    5000 NASA Blvd., Suite 2100
    Fairmont, WV 26554

Yes. Assistance is available through the online Contact Us form, by email at NORMID@NW3C.org, or by phone at
(304) 368-2883 (specify the Northern and Middle States Rural Law Enforcement Training and Technical Assistance Program).

No, not all items purchased under this award will necessarily require training prior to use. Those agencies receiving awards for specialized equipment that would normally require officer or personnel training on the appropriate and legal use of those items, especially privacy implications, will be required to provide confirmation of receipt of training. In addition, those agencies receiving awards to fund subscriptions, or access to an intelligence information system or service, will be required to provide certificates of completion of 28 CFR Part 23 training.

A representative from National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), will reach out to the agency’s designated point-of-contact to complete a post-implementation survey. This information will be used by NW3C to submit a quarterly report to the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Survey questions may include, but are not limited to:
  • What was the problem identified to be addressed through the funding?
  • Was the project or implementation completed by the target date?
  • How was/were the item(s) used/implemented?
  • How was information and/or intelligence sharing improved?
  • What other benefits, if any, were gained through this award?
  • How many officers were given/used the item(s) or benefited from the award?
  • What best practices can be recommended based on the agency’s use/implementation experience?
  • What lessons learned (and challenges faced) can you share from the use/implementation?