BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program | Apply Online

FAQs: BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program (O-BJA-2025-172569)

1) What is this funding opportunity called?

The opportunity is titled BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program.

2) Who is offering this grant?

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering this discretionary federal funding opportunity.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJA-2025-172569.

4) What type of award will be made (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.

5) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means the recipient should expect more hands-on federal involvement than under a standard grant. Based on the information provided, this can include ongoing coordination, shared planning, or other substantial programmatic engagement by BJA during the project period.

6) What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?

This opportunity sits within the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

7) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 16.812.

8) What is the overall purpose of this program?

The purpose is to provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to Second Chance Act grantees, with an emphasis on those funded under the Smart Reentry program.

9) Who is the primary audience for the training and technical assistance?

The primary audience is Second Chance Act grantees, particularly those funded under Smart Reentry.

10) What outcomes is this program trying to improve?

The program is intended to help reduce recidivism and improve public safety by strengthening reentry strategies and supporting evidence-informed approaches and operational capacity improvements.

11) What does the TTA provider actually do for grantees?

Based on the description provided, the funded organization will help Second Chance Act sites:

• Evaluate how well their community reentry strategies are working
• Identify needs, weaknesses, and gaps limiting results
• Strengthen strategies by implementing or expanding interventions that respond to those needs
• Address operational barriers that interfere with engagement and stability after release

12) Is the assistance meant to be general training, or more targeted problem-solving?

The program emphasizes targeted, problem-solving support, focused on assessing current models, identifying specific weaknesses, and making practical improvements that strengthen outcomes.

13) What kinds of reentry strategy gaps might the TTA address?

The scope is framed broadly around improving reentry outcomes. Examples mentioned or implied in the description include:

• Program design and implementation improvements
• Refining service coordination across corrections and community partners
• Strengthening case planning
• Improving continuity of care
• Addressing operational barriers that undermine engagement and long-term stability after release

14) Does this program include support related to technology?

Yes. The NOFO highlights technology adoption and expansion as a key area of support, indicating that BJA is looking for a TTA provider that can help reentry programs modernize or better leverage technology to enhance implementation and service delivery.

15) What are examples of technology-related assistance that could fit within this program?

The description provides examples of technology-related assistance in reentry contexts, such as:

• Selecting or improving case management systems
• Developing data-sharing protocols across agencies
• Improving digital tools for workforce or behavioral health referrals
• Strengthening privacy and security practices that support lawful and effective information exchange
• Enhancing participant tracking, referrals, and overall reentry strategy execution

16) Is statistical or data analysis support part of the required work?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls out statistical analysis support to help grantees inform and meet their objectives, pointing to a need for strong analytic capacity as part of the TTA effort.

17) What might the statistical analysis support include?

Based on the description, statistical and analytic support may include:

• Helping programs define measurable goals
• Choosing appropriate performance measures
• Improving data collection processes and data quality
• Analyzing outcomes to guide decision-making
• Building practical dashboards
• Advising on evaluation readiness
• Conducting descriptive or inferential analyses to understand what is working, for whom, and under what conditions
• Translating findings into actionable program improvements tied to recidivism reduction and public safety

18) Is the analysis component intended to be academic research, or performance improvement?

The intent described is analysis that directly supports implementation and performance improvement, not analysis for its own sake. The focus is on actionable insights that help grantees strengthen programs and demonstrate progress toward reduced recidivism and improved public safety.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

20) Why does the eligibility include both nonprofit, university, and for-profit organizations?

The eligibility reflects that national or multi-site TTA and analytic support can come from multiple types of organizations, including universities, research and policy organizations, technical vendors, and specialized consulting or implementation partners, as long as they can meet federal requirements and deliver high-quality assistance to reentry programs.

21) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $605,000.

22) How many awards will be made?

The expected number of awards is not specified in the information provided.

23) When was the NOFO created?

The NOFO was created on March 18, 2026.

24) What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is April 10, 2026.

25) What is the main focus within the Second Chance Act universe?

The program places emphasis on supporting Second Chance Act grantees, especially those funded under Smart Reentry, by helping them assess, strengthen, and better implement community reentry strategies.

26) What is the core approach BJA appears to be seeking in a TTA provider?

The description points to a provider that can deliver structured, expert, hands-on assistance across multiple sites, with strengths in:

• Reentry program assessment and improvement planning
• Operational capacity building and implementation support
• Technology adoption/expansion to support service delivery and information sharing
• Statistical analysis and practical performance measurement to guide decisions

27) What kinds of reentry improvements is this solicitation designed to promote?

Overall, the solicitation is designed to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of Second Chance Act reentry investments by helping grantees:

• Assess their strategies and identify technical/operational gaps
• Adopt or expand technology that improves execution
• Use statistical analysis to steer improvements
• Demonstrate progress toward reduced recidivism and stronger community safety