Judicial Outreach Liaison and Fellows Program | 693JJ921R0000028

Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ921R0000028

The Judicial Outreach Liaison and Fellows Program is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to strengthen how impaired driving cases are handled in courts. The central aim is to improve the adjudication of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving cases by building judicial knowledge, expanding practical courtroom tools, and encouraging consistent, evidence-based practices across federal, state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. Rather than focusing on law enforcement or roadside operations, this opportunity is aimed squarely at the courtroom side of traffic safety: decision-making by judges, magistrates, and hearing officers, and the systems that support them.

A major component of the work is developing and promoting evidence-based techniques, resources, and programs that help judicial officials more effectively manage impaired driving cases. This includes providing practical guidance on best practices in adjudication and sentencing, helping courts understand what approaches are shown to reduce repeat offenses and improve compliance, and ensuring that educational offerings reflect current research and proven interventions. The program also emphasizes creating traffic-safety oriented judicial education, including training related to alcohol and drug impairment and a specific focus on fair and equitable adjudication, signaling that consistency and equity in outcomes are expected elements of the education and resources produced.

The cooperative agreement continues two established national efforts. First is the Judicial Fellowship program, which sponsors up to two judges to develop, refine, and spread judicial programs and resources that can be used by state and local courts, including tribal traffic courts. Fellows are expected to serve as credible peer leaders who can translate traffic safety research and policy into courtroom practice, and who can help build materials, curricula, and court-ready resources that other judges can realistically adopt. Second is the Judicial Outreach Liaison (JOL) program, which connects with regional, state, and local judicial officers to build understanding and collaboration and to promote effective, evidence-based courtroom and sentencing practices. The JOL effort specifically highlights strategies commonly associated with impaired driving countermeasures, such as DWI Courts and ignition interlock programs, which are often key tools in reducing recidivism and improving monitoring of high-risk offenders.

Another required element is evaluating effectiveness, both for individual activities and for the project as a whole. Success is not just measured by producing materials, but by demonstrating growth and engagement: expanding the Judicial Outreach Program at the state and regional levels; increasing the number of outreach events such as webinars, educational courses, and technical assistance; collecting positive participant evaluations; and building durable working relationships with other judicial stakeholders. The opportunity explicitly calls out partnership-building with state Administrative Offices of the Courts, national and state judicial education organizations, and NHTSA regional staff, reflecting an expectation that the recipient will operate as a connector and convener, not simply a training vendor.

The program builds on prior NHTSA-funded efforts that supported outreach to state judiciaries and expanded judicial education on traffic safety. Past projects described in the notice included organizing traffic safety panels at annual and mid-year meetings, developing and delivering traffic safety programming at both national and state levels, and establishing the JOL and Judicial Fellowship structures themselves. In other words, the grant is designed to sustain and grow an existing national platform for judicial engagement on impaired driving, while continuing to improve the quality, reach, and real-world adoption of court practices that are backed by evidence.

Administratively, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ921R0000028) was issued by NHTSA under CFDA 20.614 as a cooperative agreement, meaning the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during execution. The award ceiling listed is $2,750,000 with one expected award. The original posting indicates it was created June 15, 2021 with an original closing date of July 15, 2021, and eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

• The Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Judicial Outreach Liaison and Fellows Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.614.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 15, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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