Notice2026-03618
Notice of Availability of Calendar Year 2026 Competitive Grant Funds for the Technology Initiative Grant Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 24, 2026
Issuing agencies
Legal Services Corporation
Abstract
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice describing the conditions for submitting pre-applications and applications for 2026 Technology Initiative Grants (TIGs).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8901-8903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03618]
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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Notice of Availability of Calendar Year 2026 Competitive Grant
Funds for the Technology Initiative Grant Program
AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice
describing the conditions for submitting pre-applications and
applications for 2026 Technology Initiative Grants (TIGs).
DATES: Pre-Applications for the General TIG and Sustainability,
Enhancement, and Adoption Grants must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Applications:
1. Technology Improvement Project applications must be received by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 22, 2026.
2. General TIG; Sustainability, Enhancement, and Adoption Grants;
and TIG Planning Grant applications must be received by 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: All pre-applications and applications must be submitted
electronically via LSC's unified grants management system, GrantEase,
at <a href="http://lscgrants.lsc.gov">http://lscgrants.lsc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Mathison, TIG Special Grants
Coordinator, Office of Program Performance, Legal Services Corporation,
1825 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006; (202) 295-1535 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99edfcfaf1feebf8f7edead9f5eafab7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89fdeceae1eefbe8e7fdfac9e5faeaa7eee6ff">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
Since 2000, Congress has provided an annual appropriation to LSC to
award special funding for client self-help and information technology
projects. LSC's TIG program funds technology tools to increase the
quantity and quality of legal services available to eligible persons.
TIG-funded projects develop, test, and replicate innovative
technologies that help LSC grantees and state justice communities to
improve low-income persons' access to high-quality legal assistance
through integrated and well-managed technology systems. The TIG program
also supports the effective use of technology at LSC-funded
organizations through targeted assessment grants focused on
improvements to technology systems and information security.
II. Funding Opportunity Information
A. Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for Technology Initiative Grants, applicants must be
current grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or
Basic Field-Native American grants. In addition, applicants must
receive basic field funding of at least a one-year term, be up to date
on reporting on any existing TIG-funded projects, and not have had a
previous TIG terminated in the past three years for reporting or other
performance issues.
B. Technology Initiative Grant Purpose and Key Goals
Since LSC's TIG program was established in 2000, LSC has made over
955 grants totaling over $95 million. The TIG program encourages
organizations to use technology in innovative ways to:
1. Effectively and efficiently provide high-quality legal
assistance to low-income persons and to promote access to the judicial
system through legal information, advice, and representation.
2. Improve service delivery, quality of legal work, and management
and administration of grantees.
3. Develop, test, and replicate innovative strategies that can
enable grantees and state justice communities to improve clients'
access to high-quality legal assistance.
C. Funding Categories
1. General Technology Initiative Grants
Projects in this category (1) implement new or innovative
approaches for using technology in legal services delivery; (2) enhance
the effectiveness and efficiency of existing technologies so that they
may be better used to increase the quality and
[[Page 8902]]
quantity of services to clients; or (3) replicate, adapt, or provide
added value to the work of prior technology projects. This includes
implementing or improving proven methodologies and technologies from
previous TIG projects as well as replicating effective technologies
developed by non-LSC-funded legal aid organizations and other sectors.
Applicants seeking continuation funding for existing or recently
completed TIG projects should consider applying under the
Sustainability, Enhancement, and Adoption (SEA) Grants category
discussed below.
General TIG projects require pre-applications. The pre-application
deadline is April 10, 2026 and the full application deadline is June
30, 2026.
2. Technology Improvement Projects (TIPS) and Intake TIPS
LSC recognizes that grantees need sufficient technology
infrastructure in place before they can take on a more innovative TIG
project. The TIP grant category is for applicants who need to improve
their basic technology infrastructure. The maximum funding amount per
grant for this category is $35,000.
In 2026, TIP grants are available for Technology Assessments,
Business Process Analysis (BPA) projects, and other discrete technology
improvement efforts, such as usability/UX research or assessments,
system performance audits, digital accessibility evaluations,
technology skills assessments, and other efforts that will improve the
technology infrastructure of the organization.
New in 2026: Intake Technology Improvement Projects
The Intake Technology Improvement Projects subcategory is a newly
established TIP funding track, designed with a two-phase structure:
<bullet> Phase 1: Business Process Assessment, funded as a TIP
grant for up to $35,000; and
<bullet> Phase 2: Implementation and Improvement, with total
funding for both phases capped at $100,000.
Phase 2 funding is contingent on LSC approval of an acceptable
implementation plan and budget and may be awarded only for high-
priority, technology-related components of the intake improvement
project.
The 2026 TIP Application and related guidance will include targeted
questions to identify the specific area of focus for each TIP as well
as the requirements for the Intake BPA/Enhancement sub-category of TIP
grants.
The Technology Improvement Project (TIP) category does not require
a pre-application. LSC will open the application system and provide
guidance for this project category by April 1, 2026. The application
deadline for Technology Improvement Projects is May 22, 2026.
3. Sustainability, Enhancement, and Adoption Grants
Sustainability, Enhancement, and Adoption (SEA) Grants allow
successful TIG grantees to build upon a specific project and its
technologies, ensure that their TIG-funded work is effectively
integrated into the service delivery system, and complete the project
activities necessary to ensure the initiative's long-term success.
SEA Grants are available to current TIG recipients and to
recipients of recently completed TIG projects. Applicants seeking to
enhance a non-TIG initiative or replicate another organization's
project should apply under the General category. LSC encourages all
prospective applicants to meet with their regional TIG program manager
to discuss potential SEA grant applications. Applicants should be able
to clearly demonstrate that their current or prior TIG project was
successful and that they have a reasonable plan for building on that
success.
SEA Grants require a pre-application. The pre-application deadline
is April 10, 2026, and the full application deadline is June 30, 2026.
4. TIG Planning Grants
New in 2026, the TIG Planning Grant category provides LSC grantees
with dedicated time and resources to thoughtfully define and scope
particularly innovative, complex, or transformative technology projects
before applying for a traditional General TIG. This grant category will
follow a two-phase structure.
Phase 1 of a Planning Grant should focus on clearly defining the
project and completing core planning activities, including conducting a
project needs assessment; gathering functional and technical
requirements; issuing Requests for Information (RFIs) to research
potential vendors and obtain realistic cost estimates; developing a
project roadmap; and preparating a detailed implementation plan and
budget, along with any other necessary planning tasks. The Phase 1
grant term may be either six or 12 months, and LSC will fund this phase
at a up to $75,000.
Following completion of Phase 1, grantees may request additional
TIG funding to support Phase 2, the Implementation phase. LSC will open
a special TIG application opportunity for grantees that have
successfully completed Phase 1 of a Planning Grant. Approval of a Phase
1 Grant does not guarantee funding for Phase 2.
The initial phase of the Planning Grant category does not require a
pre-application. LSC will open the application system and issue
guidance for this category by May 11, 2026. The application deadline
for TIG Planning Grant proposals is June 30, 2026.
D. Available Funds for 2026 Grants
The amount of funds available for TIG awards for FY 2026 is
$4,750,000. LSC will make TIG award decisions by early Fall 2026.
E. Grant Terms
TIG awards have grant terms between 6 and 36 months, depending on
the grant category.
<bullet> General Technology Initiative Grants: 12, 18, 24, or 36
month grant terms.
<bullet> Technology Improvement Projects: 12 or 18 month grant
terms.
<bullet> Sustainability, Enhancement, and Adoption Grants: 24 month
grant term.
<bullet> TIG Planning Grants: 6 or 12 month grant term.
The grant terms for TIG General, Sustainability, Enhancement, and
Adoption (SEA), and TIG Planning Grants will begin on January 1, 2027.
Technology Improvement Projects (TIP) will begin on October 1, 2026.
Alternate start dates may be available.
III. Grant Application Process
A. Technology Initiative Grant Application Process
The TIG application process is administered in LSC's unified grants
management system, GrantEase (<a href="http://lscgrants.lsc.gov">http://lscgrants.lsc.gov</a>). Applicants in
the General TIG and SEA categories must first submit a pre-application
to LSC in GrantEase by April 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, to be
considered for a grant. After review by LSC staff, LSC's president
decides which applicants will be asked to submit a full application.
Applicants will be notified by mid-May 2026 if they are approved to
move forward with a full application. Full applications are due to LSC
in the GrantEase system by June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Once
received, full applications will undergo a rigorous review by LSC
staff. LSC's president makes the final decisions on funding for the TIG
program.
Applicants in the Technology Improvement Project (TIP) and TIG
Planning Grant categories are not required to submit pre-applications.
LSC will launch the online application system for TIP by April 1, 2026,
with submissions due by May 22, 2026, at
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11:59 p.m. ET. The Planning Grant application system will open by May
11, 2026, and applications will be due by June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
ET. Applications in both categories will undergo a similar rigorous
staff review process, with final funding decisions made by LSC's
President.
B. Late or Incomplete Applications
LSC may consider a request to submit a pre-application after the
deadline, but only if the applicant has submitted an email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acd8c9cfc4cbdecdc2d8dfecc0dfcf82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="384c5d5b505f4a59564c4b78544b5b165f574e">[email protected]</span></a> explaining the circumstances that caused the delay
prior to the pre-application deadline. Communication with LSC staff,
including assigned program liaisons, is not a substitute for sending a
formal request and explanation to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b4f5e58535c495a554f487b574858155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b7f6e68636c796a657f784b677868256c647d">[email protected]</span></a>.
At its discretion, LSC may consider incomplete applications. LSC
will determine whether it will consider late or incomplete applications
on a case-by-case basis.
C. Multiple Pre-Applications
Applicants may submit multiple pre-applications. If applying for
multiple grants that require pre-applications, applicants should submit
separate pre-applications for each funding request.
Applicants may only submit one application per year in the
Technology Improvement Project (TIP) grant category.
D. Additional Information and Guidelines
Additional guidance and instructions on the pre-application and
application processes for Technology Initiative Grants will be
available and regularly updated at <a href="https://www.lsc.gov/grants/technology-initiative-grant-program">https://www.lsc.gov/grants/technology-initiative-grant-program</a>.
(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e).)
Dated: February 19, 2026.
Stefanie Davis,
Deputy General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2026-03618 Filed 2-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P
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