Smart Policing Initiative | BJA 2016 9208

Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) Grant (BJA 2016 9208) - FAQs

What is the Smart Policing Initiative (SPI)?

The Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to help law enforcement agencies strengthen analysis-driven, evidence-based policing so strategies are guided by data, research, and evaluation rather than tradition or intuition alone.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to support practical policing improvements rooted in careful analysis. Agencies are encouraged to develop and implement responses to crime that are effective, economical, and innovative, tailored to the crime problems and conditions in their own jurisdictions.

What does "analysis-driven, evidence-based policing" mean in this program?

In the context of SPI, it means using data and research to identify crime problems (such as patterns or drivers of crime), selecting interventions supported by evidence, and tracking results to determine what works and what should be adjusted.

What kinds of activities can SPI funding support?

Based on the program description, supported work can include identifying crime patterns, choosing evidence-supported interventions, implementing strategies to reduce crime, and measuring and evaluating results to improve public safety outcomes.

Is this grant intended to fund routine police operations?

No. The opportunity emphasizes moving beyond routine operations and focusing on smarter approaches: diagnosing crime problems using data, deploying resources strategically, testing or implementing evidence-based interventions, and measuring performance to deliver lasting improvements.

What does it mean that the program emphasizes "economical" approaches?

It means proposals should demonstrate cost effectiveness and efficient use of resources. The program is not only looking for ambitious ideas, but also for approaches that make practical sense and can deliver results without unnecessary expense.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to government entities that operate law enforcement functions. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Are non-government organizations eligible to apply?

Only the eligible applicant types listed for this opportunity are government entities that operate law enforcement functions. Other organization types are not listed as eligible in the provided opportunity information.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

This opportunity supports work in the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 16.738.

What is the opportunity number or listing identifier?

This particular funding opportunity is listed as BJA 2016 9208, and its program description refers to FY 2015 SPI.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity is $700,000.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

The program anticipates making about 8 awards, which suggests a competitive process.

Why is this considered a competitive grant opportunity?

The opportunity anticipates a limited number of awards (about 8) and sets expectations that proposals clearly define the crime problem, explain the evidence-based strategy being proposed, and show the agency's ability to implement and evaluate the approach.

What should an application be prepared to explain?

Based on the opportunity description, proposals likely need to: clearly define the specific crime problem being addressed, describe the evidence-based approach and why it fits local conditions, and demonstrate capacity to implement the strategy and track results to determine effectiveness.

What is the application deadline for this opportunity?

The original closing date for applications was April 12, 2016.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity record indicates a creation date of February 17, 2016.

What is the overall goal of SPI for participating agencies?

The overall goal is lasting improvement in how agencies diagnose crime problems, deploy resources, and measure performance, with measurable improvements in public safety outcomes within their communities.

How is this program different from traditional policing approaches?

SPI emphasizes using data, research, and evaluation to guide decisions. Instead of relying primarily on tradition or intuition, agencies are encouraged to identify what is driving crime, implement strategies with evidence behind them, and measure results to learn what works.

Does the program require tailoring strategies to local conditions?

Yes. The opportunity encourages agencies to design responses to crime that are tailored to the specific crime problems and conditions in their own jurisdictions.