The Open Solicitation Program is part of BJA's overall effort to support innovative programs that strengthen the criminal justice system. The fiscal year 1998 program emphasized three principles: (1) Local agencies and public-private partnerships, not the Federal Government, should identify problems that need solving; (2) The application process should be short and uncomplicated; and (3) As many agencies as possible should be encouraged to apply. Fiscal year 1998 applicants were required to submit short concept papers that identified problems and recommended solutions in one of the following areas: community justice, law enforcement partnerships to address hate crimes, criminal justice challenges for rural or rural tribal communities, criminal justice responses to senior citizens, the role of alcohol and crime, indigent defense, cultural barriers to justice, nontraditional uses of prosecution resources to enhance public safety, public health and criminal justice collaboration, and local priorities. BJA received more than 1,300 applications, of which 1,202 met the submission requirements. Data on applications submitted to BJA are summarized, and brief descriptions of 32 projects are included. 6 exhibits