Grants

​​​​​​​As the State administering agency for federal justice grant funds, the Wisconsin Department of Justice develops statewide strategies, determines funding priorities, and advises the Governor and legislature on justice policy issues. 


Grant Opportunities

View Grant Opportunities

Egrants System

View the Egrants System

Grant Programs

View​​ Grant Programs
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Grant Administration

 View​ Grant Administration

Subgrantee Civil Rights

​View Subgrantee Rights

Grant Forms

​View​ Grant Forms
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G​rant Terminology

Federal formula grant programs allocate blocks of money to Wisconsin DOJ, which designs subgrant programs in accordance with statewide plans and advisory committee input. Formula grants are an efficient and effective way for the federal government to implement broad policy directives while giving states the flexibility to design their own sub grant programs—within the funding sources’ eligible uses—that fit each state’s unique structure, needs, and priorities.

Often states may be able to leverage federal formula dollars—sometimes in combination with other federal sources or state funds—to implement statewide initiatives that fall within the parameters of the federal grant, fund demonstration projects that may serve as models and replicated if successful, and address specific needs of grantees (victim service agencies, law enforcement, public safety agencies, prosecutors, other state criminal justice agencies).

Federal discretionary grant programs have a defined topical focus, usually have a specific purpose for which funds must be spent, and are administered by federal agencies. Wisconsin DOJ applies for discretionary grants on behalf of the state, manages those funds, and complies with federal reporting requirements on behalf of the grant recipient (often the full award is passed to another state agency or entity, on occasion discretionary awards result in competitive opportunities for local applicants)

Grant programs where the funding source is state money rather than federal.

Federal statute, administrative rules, and/or grant guidance may require statewide plans that identify and prioritize state needs, and/or detail how federal money will be spent, and how funding decisions will be made. The state’s plans (often developed with advisory groups) are generally submitted to the federal agency overseeing the program. Funding decisions are generally required to be within the parameters of the state’s existing plan. Statewide plans are required for federal formula grant programs.

Federal grant conditions can require a variety of reporting requirements including annual (or more frequent) performance reports, and quarterly fiscal reports. Wisconsin DOJ completes required reporting to the appropriate federal agency on behalf of the state. The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Public Law 10362, requires that recipients of federal grant awards collect, analyze, and report data that measure the results of strategies implemented with federal funds.
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