Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2025 172507
Apply for O BJA 2025 172507
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes" 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 2026-03-26.
- 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 $900,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2025-172507; CFDA 16.812). The purpose of this solicitation is to fund practical, reentry-focused education and employment initiatives that serve people transitioning out of jails and prisons. The core idea is straightforward: strengthen what people can learn while incarcerated and tighten the link between those skills and real job opportunities after release, so participants are better prepared to work, more likely to get hired, and more likely to stay employed, which in turn is intended to reduce recidivism.
The program is designed to support efforts that improve both academic education and vocational or trade programming inside correctional settings, while also expanding workforce development services and career pathways that continue through reentry. Funded projects are expected to focus on outcomes that matter in the labor market, including improved job readiness, employment attainment, and employment retention. In practice, that can include building or upgrading education pipelines that help participants earn credentials, complete high school equivalency preparation, strengthen foundational skills, or access industry-aligned training, while also connecting participants to employment supports that continue after release.
BJA signals interest in proposals that build marketable skills and reflect the realities of today’s economy. Applicants are encouraged to consider approaches that leverage technology, expand digital access and digital literacy where appropriate, and help participants engage in the digital economy. Another emphasis is local alignment: projects should build capacity in a way that matches the local job market and employer demand, rather than offering training that is disconnected from available career opportunities. In other words, strong proposals will typically show how education and training choices are informed by local labor market information, how employer engagement will be built or strengthened, and how participants will be supported along a pathway that leads to real jobs with staying power.
Eligibility is broad and includes state governments; county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities that are not institutions of higher education); and, notably, certain for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities). The opportunity description also highlights units of local government as a relevant applicant type, reinforcing that local jurisdictions and local partners are a key audience for this funding.
Awards under this solicitation have an award ceiling of $900,000. The posting indicates an original application closing date of May 4, 2026, and the opportunity was created on March 26, 2026. While the notice points to expected awards, the number of awards is not specified in the provided source data. Overall, this funding is aimed at supporting reentry strategies that treat education and employment as central public safety tools, prioritizing programs that improve access to quality learning and workforce preparation inside facilities and that carry those gains into the community through structured career pathways and sustained employment supports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The grant opportunity is titled BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes.
Which agency is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJA-2025-172507.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 16.812.
What is the purpose of this solicitation?
The purpose is to fund practical, reentry-focused education and employment initiatives for people transitioning out of jails and prisons. The aim is to strengthen what participants can learn while incarcerated and tighten the connection between those skills and real job opportunities after release, supporting better employment outcomes and intended reductions in recidivism.
Who is the intended population served by funded projects?
Funded projects are intended to serve people transitioning out of jails and prisons.
What kinds of programs or activities does BJA want to support?
BJA is focused on initiatives that improve academic education and vocational or trade programming inside correctional settings, and that also expand workforce development services and career pathways that continue through reentry (after release into the community).
What outcomes are projects expected to focus on?
Projects are expected to focus on outcomes that matter in the labor market, including:
- Improved job readiness
- Employment attainment (getting hired)
- Employment retention (staying employed)
Does this opportunity support education programs inside correctional facilities?
Yes. The solicitation is designed to support efforts that improve academic education and vocational or trade programming inside correctional settings.
Does this opportunity support workforce services after release?
Yes. The program emphasizes workforce development services and career pathways that continue through reentry, meaning supports that extend into the community after release.
What are examples of education and training activities mentioned in the opportunity description?
Examples described include building or upgrading education pipelines that help participants:
- Earn credentials
- Complete high school equivalency preparation
- Strengthen foundational skills
- Access industry-aligned training
These can be paired with employment supports that continue after release.
What does BJA mean by "industry-aligned" or "marketable" skills in this context?
Based on the description provided, BJA is signaling interest in skills and training that match the realities of today’s economy and that connect directly to real job opportunities after release. Strong proposals generally show how training choices are informed by local labor market information and employer demand.
Is technology or digital skill-building emphasized?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to consider approaches that leverage technology, expand digital access and digital literacy where appropriate, and help participants engage in the digital economy.
How important is alignment with the local job market?
Local alignment is a stated emphasis. Projects should build capacity that matches local job market needs and employer demand, rather than offering training that is disconnected from available career opportunities.
What does BJA seem to look for in employer engagement?
The description indicates that strong proposals will typically explain how employer engagement will be built or strengthened, and how participants will be supported along a pathway that leads to real jobs with staying power.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes the following types of applicants:
- State governments
- County, city, township, and special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities that are not institutions of higher education)
- Certain for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities)
Are units of local government specifically called out?
Yes. The opportunity description highlights units of local government as a relevant applicant type, signaling that local jurisdictions and local partners are a key audience for this funding.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list notably includes certain for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profit entities.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling under this solicitation is $900,000.
How many awards will be made?
The number of awards is not specified in the provided information.
When was this opportunity created (posted)?
The opportunity was created on March 26, 2026.
What is the application closing date?
The posting indicates an original application closing date of May 4, 2026.
What is the central strategy behind this program?
The core idea is to strengthen education and skill-building during incarceration and connect those gains to employment opportunities after release, with the practical goal of improving job readiness, hiring, and job retention, and the broader intent of reducing recidivism.
Does the solicitation emphasize both academic and vocational programming?
Yes. The description explicitly references improving both academic education and vocational or trade programming, alongside workforce development and career pathways through reentry.
Is this funding intended to treat education and employment as public safety tools?
Yes. The opportunity is framed around supporting reentry strategies that treat education and employment as central public safety tools, prioritizing quality learning and workforce preparation inside facilities and sustained employment supports in the community.
Browse more business programs for Employment Offices
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Humanities
Next opportunity: Workforce Integration in Conflict Areas
Previous opportunity: BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for O BJA 2025 172507
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O BJA 2025 172507) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BJA FY25 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for O BJA 2025 172508 Funding Number: O BJA 2025 172508 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| BJA FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative Training and Technical Assistance Apply for O BJA 2025 172489 Funding Number: O BJA 2025 172489 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $3,200,000 |
| Curriculum Development: Western Civilization Apply for 20260625 ECD Funding Number: 20260625 ECD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Landmarks of American History and Culture and Summer Institutes Apply for 20260625 EDK EDU Funding Number: 20260625 EDK EDU Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $230,000 |
| Scholarly Editions and Translations Apply for 20260916 RQ Funding Number: 20260916 RQ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Collaborative Research Apply for 20260916 RZ Funding Number: 20260916 RZ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Landmarks of History and Culture and Summer Institutes Apply for 20261209 EDK EDU Funding Number: 20261209 EDK EDU Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $460,000 |
| National Digital Newspaper Program Apply for 20270113 PJ Funding Number: 20270113 PJ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $325,000 |
| Public Humanities Projects Apply for 20261209 GE GI BP BR GGX Funding Number: 20261209 GE GI BP BR GGX Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "O BJA 2025 172507", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.