Deadline: 27-Oct-2025
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has launched a new funding opportunity to strengthen mentoring services for at-risk and high-risk youth across the United States.
With a total allocation of $44 million, this initiative aims to reduce delinquency, victimization, and juvenile justice system involvement among vulnerable youth by fostering supportive, structured mentoring relationships.
The program will support the implementation of mentoring services that may be delivered in one-on-one, group, or peer formats, or through a combination of these approaches. Services must be directed at youth aged 17 or younger at the time of enrollment, while mentors are required to be adults aged 18 or older. In peer mentoring models, an older minor may serve as a mentor under the supervision of an adult. The funding is intended to encourage the establishment of new mentoring matches, though it may also be used to sustain existing ones through program completion.
OJJDP defines at-risk and high-risk youth as those already involved, or likely to become involved, in the juvenile justice system due to various factors such as family instability, school challenges, community violence, parental incarceration, or exposure to gangs and drug markets. The program strongly encourages applicants to reach youth who have historically lacked access to mentoring services due to shortages of trained mentors or limited program availability. Applications that incorporate strategies to address bullying and cyberbullying will also be viewed favorably.
Priority consideration will be given to proposals that contribute to advancing OJP’s broader public safety goals. These include supporting law enforcement operations, combating violent crime, protecting American children, providing services to citizens, and aiding victims of trafficking and sexual assault. Applicants are expected to clearly articulate how their mentoring models align with one or more of these goals.
The funding opportunity anticipates up to three awards, with a ceiling of $30 million per project. Performance periods will begin on October 1, 2025, and can last between 12 and 36 months. Eligible applicants are limited to national organizations with active affiliates or subawardees in at least 45 states, ensuring the program’s reach is broad and impactful.
By investing in evidence-based mentoring, this initiative seeks to provide youth with the guidance, support, and positive role models needed to build resilience, avoid risky behaviors, and thrive in their communities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
