Massachusetts John R. Justice Grant Program

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is the Governor’s designated agency responsible for the administration of the John R. Justice Grant Program for FY2024. The FY2024 application represents a collaboration of EOPSS, the Massachusetts District Attorneys’ Association (MDAA), the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the Federal Public Defenders Office (FPDO), and the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS).

Massachusetts will continue to utilize John R. Justice Grant Program funds to retain talented prosecutors and defenders statewide. As outlined in the John R. Justice Grant Program Narrative, the Commonwealth will continue to aim to provide equal funding to eligible prosecutors and defenders with the least ability to repay eligible student loans. Funds will also be allocated with an eye toward geographic diversity.

OGR will accomplish its goals by adhering to a screening and ranking process of eligible applicants. Outreach to prospective applicants will be conducted and a review panel consisting of OGR staff and other interested agency representatives will review the ranking of applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit an application, provide supporting documentation on loans, and submit a recent Student Loan Report. Awards will be based on applicants with the least ability to repay loans as well as geographic diversity. An effort will be made to allocate half of the subawards for prosecutors from the Commonwealth’s eleven District Attorney’s Offices and the AGO and allocate the other half of the subawards for defenders from CPCS and FPDO.