Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2025 172499
Apply for O BJA 2025 172499
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.812.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), designed to strengthen community-based reentry support for adults leaving incarceration. The program focuses on people returning to their communities after time in prison or jail who have been assessed as having a moderate to high risk of recidivism. The central purpose is to fund practical, on-the-ground mentoring and transitional services that help participants stabilize, reconnect with pro-social supports, and reduce the likelihood of returning to the justice system. Funded services can begin before release, continue after release, or span both periods, allowing applicants to build reentry models that start engagement early and provide continuity at the point when individuals face the highest risk of setbacks.
Eligible applicants are limited to community-based entities and tribal governments, specifically including federally recognized Native American tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both nonprofit categories, institutions of higher education are excluded). This structure signals that BJA is prioritizing organizations that are embedded in the community and can provide direct services, culturally responsive support, and sustained mentorship rather than primarily academic or campus-based programming. The funding instrument is a grant, and the assistance listing is tied to CFDA/Assistance Listing 16.812, which generally aligns with BJA programming aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes and public safety through evidence-informed interventions.
The award ceiling for this opportunity is $1,000,000 per award, indicating that applicants may propose robust service models with meaningful staffing, partnerships, and participant capacity. While the notice lists “ExpectedAwards” without a specific number, the ceiling suggests BJA anticipates funding a set of competitive projects large enough to deliver comprehensive transitional support. The opportunity was created on March 25, 2026, and the original application closing date is May 4, 2026, which sets the timeline for interested organizations to assemble partnerships, finalize program design, and prepare required application components.
In practical terms, a competitive proposal under this NOFO would typically describe how the applicant will identify and enroll eligible returning citizens (adults assessed at moderate to high risk), what mentoring model will be used, how transitional services will be delivered pre-release and/or post-release, and how the program will coordinate with corrections, supervision agencies, service providers, and community stakeholders. Because the goal is successful reentry and reduced recidivism, applications generally benefit from clear service pathways, strong referral and case coordination processes, and a plan to measure outcomes tied to reentry stability (such as engagement in mentoring, connection to services, and other indicators linked to reduced justice involvement). The official opportunity title is “BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program,” and the funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172499.
FAQs: BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program (O-BJA-2025-172499)
What is the BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), intended to strengthen community-based reentry support for adults leaving incarceration. The funding is aimed at practical, on-the-ground mentoring and transitional services that help participants stabilize, reconnect with pro-social supports, and reduce the likelihood of returning to the justice system.
What is the main goal of this grant?
The central purpose is to fund community-based mentoring and transitional services that support successful reentry and help reduce recidivism for adults returning from prison or jail, especially those assessed as having a moderate to high risk of recidivism.
Who is the program designed to serve?
The program focuses on adults returning to their communities after time in prison or jail who have been assessed as having a moderate to high risk of recidivism.
Does the program allow services to start before release?
Yes. Funded services can begin before release, continue after release, or span both pre-release and post-release periods. This flexibility allows applicants to engage participants early and provide continuity at the time when individuals may face the highest risk of setbacks.
What types of activities or services does BJA want to fund under this opportunity?
The opportunity emphasizes practical mentoring and transitional services delivered in the community. The intent is to support stabilization, connection to pro-social supports, and reduced likelihood of returning to the justice system. The notice indicates services may be delivered pre-release, post-release, or both, depending on the applicant's reentry model.
What does "community-based" mean in the context of this grant?
Based on the eligibility restrictions and the focus described, "community-based" indicates that BJA is prioritizing entities embedded in the community that can provide direct services, culturally responsive support, and sustained mentorship, rather than primarily academic or campus-based programming.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to community-based entities and tribal governments, including:
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (institutions of higher education are excluded)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (institutions of higher education are excluded)
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply as nonprofits?
No. The notice specifies that in both nonprofit categories (with or without 501(c)(3) status), institutions of higher education are excluded.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards will be made?
The notice lists "ExpectedAwards" without a specific number, so the exact number of awards is not stated in the information provided.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA/Assistance Listing) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to Assistance Listing 16.812.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a grant.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 25, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is May 4, 2026.
What is the official title of the opportunity?
The official opportunity title is "BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2025-172499.
What kinds of program design details would a competitive application typically describe?
Based on the description provided, a strong proposal would typically explain:
- How the applicant will identify and enroll eligible returning citizens (adults assessed as moderate to high risk of recidivism)
- What mentoring model will be used and how mentoring will be delivered
- How transitional services will be delivered pre-release and/or post-release
- How the program will coordinate with corrections, supervision agencies, service providers, and community stakeholders
Does this grant emphasize coordination with justice and community partners?
Yes. The opportunity notes that competitive proposals typically describe coordination with corrections, supervision agencies, service providers, and community stakeholders, reflecting the need for strong referral pathways and case coordination during reentry.
What outcomes or results does the program aim to influence?
The overall goal is successful reentry and reduced recidivism. The description suggests that applications benefit from plans to measure outcomes tied to reentry stability, including engagement in mentoring, connection to services, and other indicators linked to reduced justice involvement.
Can an applicant propose a model that covers both pre-release and post-release support?
Yes. The notice explicitly allows services to begin before release, continue after release, or span both periods, enabling continuity of support across the reentry transition.
Why does the moderate-to-high risk focus matter for program planning?
The program is specifically focused on adults assessed as moderate to high risk of recidivism. Based on the description, applicants would typically need to explain how they will identify and enroll participants meeting that risk focus and tailor mentoring and transitional services to support stability and reduced justice involvement.
What does the award ceiling suggest about the scope of projects BJA expects?
With a ceiling of $1,000,000 per award, the opportunity suggests applicants may propose robust service models with meaningful staffing, partnerships, and participant capacity to deliver comprehensive transitional support.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Humanities
Next opportunity: BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes
Previous opportunity: BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Family-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O BJA 2025 172499) also looked into and applied for these:
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|---|
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