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Funding programsFederal

Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP)

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Pays for armor
Law enforcementCorrections

What it pays for

Reimburses up to 50 percent of the cost of ballistic or stab-resistant body armor vests for law enforcement officers. Vests must have been tested through the NIJ Compliance Testing Program and comply with the most current NIJ standards (appear on the NIJ Compliant Products List as of the order date), be uniquely fitted to the officer, and be made in the United States. The jurisdiction must have a written mandatory wear policy for uniformed officers in effect at application. BVP does not fund replacement trauma plates for existing vests.

Open until Oct 30, 2026 · dates from the program page only

The rules

Who can apply
States, units of local government and federally recognized Indian tribes that employ law enforcement officers. By statute, jurisdictions with fewer than 100,000 residents are funded first.
Match or cost share
Up to 50 percent federal share; the applicant pays the rest. A financial or natural disaster hardship waiver can raise reimbursement up to 100 percent for vests with a unit cost of $1,200 or less, excluding taxes, shipping and handling. JAG funds may not be used as the BVP match.
When
The FY 2026 BVP application period is open until October 30, 2026 (OJP program page, modified October 1, 2026). Awards are paid as reimbursements through the BVP System.
Assistance listing
ALN 16.607

Sources

Related programs

Pays for armorFederal

Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Purpose Area 1, COPS Tribal Resources Grant Program

Open until Oct 15, 2026
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Law enforcement

Allowable equipment includes uniforms and standard issue supplies, ballistic resistant body armor and body worn cameras. Ballistic resistant body armor vests bought with TRGP funds must be tested and found to comply with the latest applicable NIJ ballistic standards and appear on the NIJ Compliant Products List.

Who can apply
Federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia.
When
FY 2026 CTAS is open: Grants.gov deadline October 15, 2026; JustGrants deadline October 22, 2026, 8:59 PM ET.
Official program pageCOPS Office CTAS page; FY 2026 CTAS NOFO · read Oct 3, 2026
Pays for armorFederal

Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative

Open until Oct 30, 2026
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance
Law enforcement

One approach the NOFO lists is personnel, tactics, training and equipment to reduce violent crime, explicitly including records systems, vehicles, vests and firearms. Federal body armor conditions (NIJ compliance, mandatory wear certification) are expected to apply to vest purchases but were not quoted from this NOFO.

Match
No cost sharing (match) required (FY 2026 NOFO).
Who can apply
State, county, city or township and special district governments, and federally recognized tribal governments, serving rural areas; also prosecutors' offices through those governments.
When
FY 2026 (O-BJA-2026-172761) posted September 21, 2026: Grants.gov deadline October 30, 2026; JustGrants deadline November 6, 2026.
Official program pageBJA FY 2026 Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative NOFO · read Oct 3, 2026
Pays for armorFederal

Assisting Neighborhoods and Governments with Enforcement of Laws (ANGEL) Grant Program

Open until Oct 20, 2026
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (administered through BJA)
Law enforcementCorrections

Technology and Equipment is a permissible activity, including officer safety and tactical equipment. The NOFO states that recipients funded for body armor (also UAS, body-worn cameras or NIBIN machines) must submit equipment-specific certifications as an award condition.

Match
No cost sharing (match) required (FY 2026 NOFO).
Who can apply
State, county, city or township, special district and tribal governments with direct criminal justice responsibility that have, or commit to, a 287(g) partnership and participate in Homeland Security Task Force operations or other major DOJ enforcement efforts.
When
FY 2026 (O-BJA-2026-172778) posted September 24, 2026: Grants.gov deadline October 20, 2026; JustGrants deadline October 27, 2026. About $25 million, up to $500,000 per award, about 50 awards.
Official program pageDOJ FY 2026 ANGEL NOFO · read Oct 3, 2026
Pays for armorFederal

Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)

Last window closed Jun 22, 2026
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
FireEMS

Ballistic Protective Equipment (BPE) is an eligible Specialized PPE item at medium priority for fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, joint/regional applicants and state fire training academies. One BPE set is one vest, one helmet, one triage bag and one pair of goggles. NIJ level requirements for BPE were not found in the FY 2025 NOFO text.

Match
Non-federal cash only: 5 percent for jurisdictions of 20,000 residents or fewer; 10 percent for more than 20,000 up to 1 million; 15 percent for more than 1 million. In-kind is not allowed.
Who can apply
Fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations and State Fire Training Academies.
When
FY 2025 application period ran May 19 to June 22, 2026 (5 PM ET); FY 2025 awards announced by September 30, 2026. Next cycle not yet published.
Official program pageFEMA FY 2025 AFG NOFO and fact sheet · read Oct 3, 2026

This is a reference compiled from public program documents, not legal or grant advice. The program’s own solicitation and guidance are the record.