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Policy Watchtower/Funding available

SJI FY2027 grant guideline: tribal courts barred from State Justice Institute awards

Justice DepartmentFunding availableOct 21, 2026

Check: The State Justice Institute's FY2027 guideline states it cannot award grants to tribal courts, so a tribal court grants office should not plan an application to it.

Read in the Federal Register

What it does

The guideline says the State Justice Institute (SJI) funds State and local courts, national nonprofits, and other listed entities to improve justice in State courts, and it bars awards to Federal, tribal, and international courts. Native-serving organizations that are not courts should read the eligibility section before deciding whether to apply. Applications are considered on a quarterly timetable, with due dates of November 1, February 1, May 1, and August 1.

Why it matters for tribal funding

Tribes eligible. Tribes or Native organizations are among those who can apply or are covered, alongside others.

Who it covers: Tribal governments, Native nonprofits, Tribal colleges and universities.

What to do next

  1. Do not budget SJI funds for tribal court operations or projects; the guideline bars awards to tribal courts.
  2. If a Native-serving nonprofit or college considers applying, check it against the eligible entity types in section I of the guideline.
  3. Contact Executive Director Jonathan Mattiello at 703-660-4979 with eligibility questions.

Sources

Every signal is built from public records. The highlighted words appear in the source exactly as shown.

  • Federal Register: tribal termsNoticeOct 21, 2026

    Grant Guideline; Notice

    • Quoted from the source: “SJI is prohibited from awarding grants to Federal, tribal, and international courts.”
    • Quoted from the source: “Applications may be submitted at any time but will be considered for award based only on the timetable below.”
    Read in the Federal RegisterU.S. government record, public domain.

Terms with a dotted underline open a plain-language definition. This is guidance, not legal advice: the official text always controls. A free public service from GrantsPath, a Native-owned business.