This document summarizes application and funding process information on BVP, a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative which provides a critical resource to State and local law enforcement. The purpose of BVP is to reimburse States, counties, federally recognized tribes, cities, and local jurisdictions up to 50 percent of the cost of body armor vests purchased for law enforcement officers. Created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with a total of $288 million in Federal funds for the purchase of over 1 million vests (1,146,909 vests as of December 2013). Based on data collected and recorded by BJA staff, in FY 2012, protective vests were directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 33 law enforcement and corrections officers, in 20 different States, an increase 13.7 percent over FY 2011. At least 14 of those life-saving vests had been purchased, in part, with BVP funds.