Opportunity Information
As part of its mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all, the Maryland Judiciary awards Special Projects Grants to support programs that enhance the courts’ ability to resolve domestic and juvenile matters. Special Projects Grants are administered by the Department of Juvenile and Family Services (JFS) and support a broad range of program types, including but not limited to Domestic Violence, Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Adult Guardianship, and other Domestic Law programs. Please note: JFS does not fund Community Conferencing or similar Alternative Dispute Resolution restorative justice programs. Those programs are funded through the Judiciary's Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office's Restorative Justice Grants. If you are unsure of whether a project is eligible, please contact us.
Awarding Agency: Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile and Family Services
Agency Contact: Pen Whewell
Agency Contact Phone: 410-260-1262
Agency Contact Email: DJFSGrants@mdcourts.gov
Posted Date: 1/13/2025
Funding Opportunity Number: FO-2026-JFS-003
Funding Information
Funding Source Description: Availability of funds is contingent on the Maryland General Assembly providing funds in the Maryland Judiciary's budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Applicants who are awarded funding will be notified by May 31, 2025.
Award Information
Award Start Date: 7/1/2025
Award End Date: 6/30/2026
Award Type: Competitive
Matching Requirement: No
Submission Information
Submission Close Date 3/14/2025 11:59 PM (EST)
Other Submission Requirements:
Support Letters (minimum of 2 required):
Two Letters of Support are required.
EXCEPTION: Due to some very recent and evolving policies impacting judges, support letters from courts are no longer required for the FY26 Special Projects Grant application. This change only applies to programs working directly with the court. For programs who were relying on courts for their two letters, the entire support letter requirement will be waived. If you have already received a support letter from a judge, you can still attach it below as long as the judge has not requested its return. Otherwise, on the “Letters of Support” page of the application, simply indicate “no” and type “court letters waived” in the explanation box. (Updated 02/28/25)
Question Submission Information
For general questions about this grant category, please review the Special Conditions for FY26 Special Project Grants.
For specific questions, Email: DJFSGrants@mdcourts.gov.
Technical Assistance Session
Technical Assistance Session: Yes
Session Date and Time: 2/18/2025 1:00 PM
Registration Link: CLICK HERE to register
Eligibility Information
Eligible Entities: Maryland courts, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education.
Additional Information
Additional Information about Judiciary Grants: Judiciary Grants
All grant applications and awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to the Maryland Judiciary’s General Grant Conditions, and the Special Conditions for FY26 Special Project Grants. Both documents must be reviewed in full prior to submitting an application.
FY26 Juvenile and Family Services Special Projects Grants
Opportunity Information
As part of its mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all, the Maryland Judiciary awards Special Projects Grants to support programs that enhance the courts’ ability to resolve domestic and juvenile matters. Special Projects Grants are administered by the Department of Juvenile and Family Services (JFS) and support a broad range of program types, including but not limited to Domestic Violence, Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Adult Guardianship, and other Domestic Law programs. Please note: JFS does not fund Community Conferencing or similar Alternative Dispute Resolution restorative justice programs. Those programs are funded through the Judiciary's Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office's Restorative Justice Grants. If you are unsure of whether a project is eligible, please contact us.
Awarding Agency: Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile and Family Services
Agency Contact: Pen Whewell
Agency Contact Phone: 410-260-1262
Agency Contact Email: DJFSGrants@mdcourts.gov
Posted Date: 1/13/2025
Funding Opportunity Number: FO-2026-JFS-003
Funding Information
Funding Source Description: Availability of funds is contingent on the Maryland General Assembly providing funds in the Maryland Judiciary's budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Applicants who are awarded funding will be notified by May 31, 2025.
Award Information
Award Start Date: 7/1/2025
Award End Date: 6/30/2026
Award Type: Competitive
Matching Requirement: No
Submission Information
Submission Close Date 3/14/2025 11:59 PM (EST)
Other Submission Requirements:
Support Letters (minimum of 2 required):
Two Letters of Support are required.
EXCEPTION: Due to some very recent and evolving policies impacting judges, support letters from courts are no longer required for the FY26 Special Projects Grant application. This change only applies to programs working directly with the court. For programs who were relying on courts for their two letters, the entire support letter requirement will be waived. If you have already received a support letter from a judge, you can still attach it below as long as the judge has not requested its return. Otherwise, on the “Letters of Support” page of the application, simply indicate “no” and type “court letters waived” in the explanation box. (Updated 02/28/25)
Question Submission Information
For general questions about this grant category, please review the Special Conditions for FY26 Special Project Grants.
For specific questions, Email: DJFSGrants@mdcourts.gov.
Technical Assistance Session
Technical Assistance Session: Yes
Session Date and Time: 2/18/2025 1:00 PM
Registration Link: CLICK HERE to register
Eligibility Information
Eligible Entities: Maryland courts, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education.
Additional Information
Additional Information about Judiciary Grants: Judiciary Grants
All grant applications and awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to the Maryland Judiciary’s General Grant Conditions, and the Special Conditions for FY26 Special Project Grants. Both documents must be reviewed in full prior to submitting an application.