Overview:
The Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program, previously administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is now being administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. The program's primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.

For more detailed information regarding the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum, how to start a G.R.E.A.T. program in your community, and training and certification of G.R.E.A.T. officers, go the G.R.E.A.T. web page.

Grants/Funding:
The application period for FY 2005 G.R.E.A.T. funding applications opened on Monday, January 31, 2005. Only those jurisdictions/agencies that received FY 2004 G.R.E.A.T. grants are eligible to apply for FY 2005 funds at this time. FY 2004 grantees may apply for Continuation grants not to exceed the amount of funds received in FY 2004. Click here to view the complete list of FY 2005 G.R.E.A.T. eligible applicants and award amounts.

Later in FY 2005, subject to the availability of funds, BJA will hold an open competition for G.R.E.A.T. funds, and all law enforcement agencies will be eligible to apply at that time. More details on this future grant competition will be forthcoming.

All FY 2005 eligible applicants will receive an e-mail "Invitation to Apply." All required application and budget forms and instructions will be attached to the "Invitation to Apply" e-mail.

Completed applications, with all required attachments and information, must be submitted no later than 8:00 p.m. e.t., on Friday, March 11, 2005.

G.R.E.A.T. Grants - Programmatic Progress Reporting:
The G.R.E.A.T. grant "Programmatic Progress Report" form is now available. All reports for the initial grant period of January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004 must be submitted no later than March 4, 2005. The G.R.E.A.T. Progress Report incorporates both the standard Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Categorical/Discretionary Assistance Progress Report and a G.R.E.A.T. Program Data Form.

G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training:
The 2005 G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training (G.O.T.) schedule and a downloadable G.O.T. Training application are now available. All G.O.T. training is offered FREE of charge to any law enforcement agency willing to make a commitment to teach the G.R.E.A.T. program in their community's schools.

Current G.R.E.A.T. Grantees:
View the updated Frequently Asked Questions for important information regarding your current year (FY 2004) G.R.E.A.T. grants.