Opportunity Information: Apply for O COPS 2026 172553
The FY26 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). Its main goal is to strengthen the emotional and mental health supports available to law enforcement personnel and their families by helping agencies either build wellness programming from the ground up or expand services they already have. The program is framed under the COPS Office mission to advance community policing, which the NOFO notes is used interchangeably with "common sense policing" in the program materials.
This NOFO funds practical, on-the-ground wellness efforts that directly benefit officers and their households. The types of activities emphasized include counseling and clinical supports, peer mentoring and peer support teams, suicide prevention initiatives, stress reduction resources, training for staff and leadership, and services tailored to police families. The overall intent is to increase both the delivery of and access to these supports, especially in agencies that may not have had the staffing or resources to build law-enforcement-specific wellness programming.
Funding is organized into three categories. Category 1, FY26 Start-up LEMHWA Implementation Projects, is designed for law enforcement agencies that do not have established law-enforcement-specific mental health and wellness programs. The idea is to provide start-up funding to create new services and structured programming, with an explicit emphasis on improving access for small, understaffed, and rural departments. Even agencies that have only limited or rudimentary wellness services are encouraged to apply if they want to develop a more comprehensive, department-wide approach. Having a chaplaincy program or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) does not automatically disqualify an applicant from Category 1, but agencies that have received LEMHWA funding previously cannot receive awards under this start-up category.
Category 2, FY26 Enhanced LEMHWA Implementation Projects, supports agencies that already have wellness programming in place and want to enhance or expand it. This category is for building on what exists rather than starting from zero. Current or past LEMHWA awardees are allowed to apply here, but the request cannot simply continue an existing or prior LEMHWA-funded project as-is; the proposal needs to show how the new work will meaningfully expand, strengthen, or improve the agency's current mental health and wellness efforts.
Category 3, FY26 LEMHWA Community of Practice Initiative, is different from the first two in that it is not a direct agency implementation grant for a single department's internal program. Instead, it funds the creation and facilitation of a "community of practice" meant to support current and future LEMHWA grantees through peer support and technical assistance. The purpose is to build an interactive forum where grantees can learn from each other, share promising practices, and get support that helps translate ideas into workable wellness programs across agencies.
Eligibility depends on the category. For Categories 1 and 2, eligibility is limited to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement jurisdiction in their service area. Agencies that only respond to certain crime types (for example, statewide investigative agencies without primary jurisdiction) or that only handle crimes within correctional institutions are not eligible. Category 1 further limits eligibility by excluding any applicant that has previously received LEMHWA funding. Category 2 allows existing LEMHWA awardees to apply as long as they are not seeking funds to simply continue a current or past LEMHWA project and are instead proposing enhancements or expansions. For Category 3, eligibility shifts to organizations that can run and support the broader initiative, including for-profit organizations, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, community groups, and faith-based organizations.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number O-COPS-2026-172553 and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically means the federal agency may have more involvement in project direction or oversight than a standard grant. The assistance listing is CFDA 16.070 (Law, Justice and Legal Services). The NOFO shows an award ceiling of $250,000, anticipates approximately 37 awards, and lists an original application closing date of July 30, 2026.Apply for O COPS 2026 172553
- The Community Oriented Policing Services in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.070.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-30. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 37 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.
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FY26 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program FAQs
What is the FY26 LEMHWA Program?
The FY26 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). Its purpose is to strengthen emotional and mental health supports for law enforcement personnel and their families by helping agencies build new wellness programming or expand existing services.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
What is the program trying to accomplish?
The program aims to increase both the delivery of and access to practical, on-the-ground mental health and wellness supports that directly benefit law enforcement officers and their households, particularly for agencies that may not have had enough staffing or resources to develop law-enforcement-specific wellness programming.
How does the NOFO describe the program's connection to community policing?
The NOFO frames the program under the COPS Office mission to advance community policing, and it notes that "community policing" is used interchangeably with "common sense policing" in the program materials.
What types of activities and services does the program emphasize?
The NOFO emphasizes practical wellness efforts such as counseling and clinical supports, peer mentoring and peer support teams, suicide prevention initiatives, stress reduction resources, training for staff and leadership, and services tailored to police families.
Does the program focus only on officers, or also on families?
The program is intended to benefit officers and their households, and it specifically includes services tailored to police families.
How is the funding organized?
Funding is organized into three categories: Category 1 (Start-up LEMHWA Implementation Projects), Category 2 (Enhanced LEMHWA Implementation Projects), and Category 3 (LEMHWA Community of Practice Initiative).
What is Category 1 (Start-up LEMHWA Implementation Projects)?
Category 1 is designed for law enforcement agencies that do not have established law-enforcement-specific mental health and wellness programs. It provides start-up funding to create new services and structured programming, with an explicit emphasis on improving access for small, understaffed, and rural departments.
If an agency has limited or rudimentary wellness services, can it still apply under Category 1?
Yes. The NOFO indicates that even agencies with only limited or rudimentary wellness services are encouraged to apply to Category 1 if they want to develop a more comprehensive, department-wide approach.
Does having a chaplaincy program or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) disqualify an agency from Category 1?
No. Having a chaplaincy program or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) does not automatically disqualify an applicant from Category 1.
Can a prior LEMHWA grantee apply for Category 1?
No. Agencies that have received LEMHWA funding previously cannot receive awards under the Category 1 start-up category.
What is Category 2 (Enhanced LEMHWA Implementation Projects)?
Category 2 supports agencies that already have wellness programming in place and want to enhance or expand it. It is focused on building on existing efforts rather than starting from zero.
Can current or past LEMHWA awardees apply under Category 2?
Yes. Current or past LEMHWA awardees are allowed to apply under Category 2, as long as the request is not simply to continue an existing or prior LEMHWA-funded project unchanged.
What does Category 2 require from prior or current LEMHWA awardees?
The proposal must show how the new work will meaningfully expand, strengthen, or improve the agency's current mental health and wellness efforts, rather than continuing a current or past LEMHWA-funded project as-is.
What is Category 3 (LEMHWA Community of Practice Initiative)?
Category 3 funds the creation and facilitation of a community of practice intended to support current and future LEMHWA grantees through peer support and technical assistance. Its purpose is to build an interactive forum where grantees can learn from each other, share promising practices, and get support translating ideas into workable wellness programs across agencies.
Is Category 3 a grant for a single law enforcement agency to run its internal wellness program?
No. The NOFO describes Category 3 as different from Categories 1 and 2 because it is not a direct agency implementation grant for a single department's internal program. It is meant to support a broader initiative serving LEMHWA grantees.
Who is eligible to apply under Categories 1 and 2?
For Categories 1 and 2, eligibility is limited to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement jurisdiction in their service area.
Are agencies without primary law enforcement jurisdiction eligible for Categories 1 and 2?
No. The NOFO states that agencies that only respond to certain crime types (for example, statewide investigative agencies without primary jurisdiction) are not eligible for Categories 1 and 2.
Are correctional-institution-only law enforcement agencies eligible for Categories 1 and 2?
No. Agencies that only handle crimes within correctional institutions are not eligible for Categories 1 and 2.
Who is eligible to apply under Category 3?
For Category 3, eligibility includes organizations that can run and support the community of practice initiative, including for-profit organizations, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, community groups, and faith-based organizations.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-COPS-2026-172553.
What is the funding instrument used for this opportunity?
The NOFO uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically means the federal agency may have more involvement in project direction or oversight than a standard grant.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) is 16.070 (Law, Justice and Legal Services).
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The NOFO lists an award ceiling of $250,000.
How many awards are expected?
The NOFO anticipates approximately 37 awards.
What is the application deadline?
The NOFO lists an original application closing date of July 30, 2026.
Does the program prioritize any specific types of agencies?
For Category 1, the NOFO explicitly emphasizes improving access for small, understaffed, and rural departments.
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| FY26 Preparing for Active Shooter Situations (PASS) Apply for O COPS 2026 172557 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172557 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $10,350,000 |
| FY26 COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program Apply for O COPS 2026 172564 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172564 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| FY26 COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program Apply for O COPS 2026 172565 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172565 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY26 COPS Hiring Program Apply for O COPS 2026 172611 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172611 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $6,250,000 |
| FY26 COPS School Violence Prevention Program Apply for O COPS 2026 172540 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172540 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations through Data-Driven Analysis and Customized Investigative Mentoring Apply for OFOP0003000 Funding Number: OFOP0003000 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| DOJ FY 2026 Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (“BIDEN”) Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172641 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172641 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FAIR HOUSING INITIATIVES PROGRAM PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021C Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021C Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program Apply for O OJJDP 2026 172638 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2026 172638 Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $4,200,000 |
| BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply -Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172640 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172640 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Administrative Enforcement Initiative Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021D Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021D Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Fair Housing Organizations Initiative FY2025 and FY2026 Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021B Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021B Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $8,900,000 |
| OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 4 Apply for O BJA 2026 172647 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172647 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| DOJ FY 2026 Invited to Apply - National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program Apply for O BJA 2026 172648 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172648 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Prison Population Management Through Expanded Probation in Tunisia Apply for OFOP0003144 Funding Number: OFOP0003144 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Disrupting TCOs through Evidence Reform Apply for OFOP0003184 Funding Number: OFOP0003184 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY26 Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants Apply for O COPS 2026 172559 Funding Number: O COPS 2026 172559 Agency: Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BJA FY 2026 Invited to Apply – Pennington County, South Dakota Public Safety Support for the 250th Anniversary Celebration at Mount Rushmore Apply for O BJA 2026 172650 Funding Number: O BJA 2026 172650 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $16,000 |
| BJA FY 25 Invited to Apply – Adult Treatment Court Planning, Training, Technical Assistance, and Resources Center Initiative Apply for O BJA 2025 172649 Funding Number: O BJA 2025 172649 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,600,000 |
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