Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2025 172494
Apply for O BJA 2025 172494
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration 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 2026-02-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-19. (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: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program (Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2025-172494) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), intended to help governments strengthen and coordinate reentry efforts for adults returning to the community after incarceration or while transitioning off supervision. The central purpose is to support comprehensive, collaborative reentry strategies that improve an individual s chances of successfully reintegrating and, at the same time, to help jurisdictions establish or expand at least one specific program or service intervention designed to reduce recidivism. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at communities that want to move beyond fragmented, one-off services and instead build a more connected reentry approach that aligns corrections, supervision, service providers, and community partners around shared goals and measurable outcomes.
The program emphasizes interventions that respond to the real-world needs people face when leaving prison or jail, or when reentering while under probation or parole supervision. The NOFO points applicants to the Second Chance Act, specifically section 101(b) (34 USC 10631), which outlines the types of reentry activities that can be supported under adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects. While the NOFO summary does not list every allowable activity line-by-line, the reference signals that BJA expects applicants to choose evidence-informed reentry supports that address common barriers to stability and lawful behavior. These needs often include employment readiness and placement, education, housing stability, behavioral health and substance use treatment, connections to physical health care, family reunification supports, mentoring and peer navigation, cognitive behavioral or other risk-reduction programming, case management, and other structured services that directly lower the factors associated with reoffending. The phrase establish or expand an intervention indicates this funding is not only for planning or coordination; it is meant to translate into concrete service delivery or program capacity that can be implemented and scaled in the community.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally includes multiple levels of government and Tribal entities. Eligible applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The listing also includes an "Others" category and notes other units of local government, but applicants are expected to rely on the Eligible Applicants section of the NOFO for the exact criteria and any conditions. Overall, the eligible applicant pool is designed to reflect the reality that reentry systems are often led locally, with counties and cities frequently coordinating jail reentry, community supervision partnerships, and service networks, while states and Tribal governments may operate prisons, supervision agencies, and statewide reentry strategies.
From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award, and the opportunity anticipates making awards (the exact number is not provided in the source text). The funding instrument is a grant. The program is cataloged under CFDA 16.812, which is associated with BJA assistance, and it is labeled under a humanities activity category in the provided data, though the substance of the program is clearly criminal justice and reentry focused. The opportunity was created on 2026-02-19, and the original application closing date is 2026-03-19, giving applicants a defined submission window.
At a higher level, the Smart Reentry Demonstration framing suggests BJA is looking for jurisdictions that can show they have, or can build, a coordinated reentry strategy that brings together key partners such as corrections agencies, jail administrators, probation and parole, community-based service providers, housing and workforce agencies, behavioral health systems, courts, and other stakeholders. Competitive proposals for programs like this typically describe how people will be identified and engaged before release, how risk and needs will be assessed, how referrals and warm handoffs will occur, how services will be delivered post-release, and how progress will be tracked. Because the stated goal is to increase the likelihood of successful reentry and reduce recidivism, applicants should expect that performance measurement, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement will matter, even if the specific metrics and reporting requirements are spelled out elsewhere in the NOFO.
In summary, this BJA opportunity provides up to $1 million to eligible state, local, and Tribal applicants to strengthen adult reentry systems through a comprehensive, collaborative strategy and to implement or expand targeted interventions that address reentry needs consistent with the Second Chance Act. The funding is designed for jurisdictions ready to improve coordination and service delivery for people returning from incarceration or supervision, with the explicit intent of reducing recidivism and improving long-term community outcomes.
FAQs: BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program (O-BJA-2025-172494)
What is the BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) designed to help jurisdictions strengthen and coordinate reentry efforts for adults returning to the community after incarceration or while transitioning off supervision.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to support comprehensive, collaborative reentry strategies that improve an individual's chances of successfully reintegrating and, at the same time, help jurisdictions establish or expand at least one specific program or service intervention intended to reduce recidivism.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJA-2025-172494.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards will be made?
The opportunity anticipates making awards, but the exact number of awards is not provided in the information shown.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The listing also notes an "Others" category and other units of local government, but applicants should confirm exact criteria in the NOFO's Eligible Applicants section.
Is this opportunity limited to state governments, or can local governments apply?
It is not limited to states. Local governments such as counties, cities, and townships are included among eligible applicants, reflecting that reentry systems are often led and coordinated locally.
Are Tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments are also listed as eligible.
What population is this program intended to serve?
The program is intended to support reentry efforts for adults returning to the community after incarceration, as well as adults transitioning off probation or parole supervision.
What does "smart reentry" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the Smart Reentry Demonstration framing emphasizes moving beyond fragmented, one-off services and building a more connected reentry approach that aligns corrections, supervision, service providers, and community partners around shared goals and measurable outcomes.
What kinds of projects is BJA trying to fund through this program?
BJA is aiming to fund jurisdictions that can strengthen and coordinate reentry systems through a comprehensive, collaborative strategy and that can establish or expand at least one concrete program or service intervention designed to reduce recidivism.
Does the program support planning and coordination only, or does it require service delivery?
The description indicates it is not only for planning or coordination. The phrase "establish or expand an intervention" signals that funding is meant to translate into concrete service delivery or increased program capacity that can be implemented and scaled in the community.
What kinds of interventions or services can be supported?
The NOFO points applicants to the Second Chance Act, specifically section 101(b) (34 USC 10631), which outlines reentry activities that can be supported under reentry demonstration projects. While the summary does not list all allowable activities line-by-line, it indicates BJA expects evidence-informed reentry supports that address common barriers such as employment readiness and placement, education, housing stability, behavioral health and substance use treatment, connections to physical health care, family reunification supports, mentoring and peer navigation, cognitive behavioral or other risk-reduction programming, case management, and other structured services that directly lower factors associated with reoffending.
Is the program tied to the Second Chance Act?
Yes. The NOFO references the Second Chance Act, specifically section 101(b) (34 USC 10631), as the statutory context for supported reentry activities.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The program is cataloged under CFDA 16.812.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-02-19.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is 2026-03-19.
How long is the application window based on the dates provided?
Based on the creation date (2026-02-19) and the original closing date (2026-03-19), applicants have a defined submission window of roughly one month.
What does BJA mean by a "comprehensive, collaborative reentry strategy"?
From the description provided, it means building a coordinated approach that connects corrections, supervision, service providers, and community partners and focuses on shared goals and measurable outcomes, rather than delivering disconnected services in isolation.
What kinds of partners are typically relevant to a competitive reentry strategy?
The description suggests key partners may include corrections agencies, jail administrators, probation and parole, community-based service providers, housing and workforce agencies, behavioral health systems, courts, and other stakeholders involved in reentry and stabilization.
Does the grant focus on outcomes like recidivism reduction?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly states the intent to reduce recidivism and improve successful reintegration outcomes for people returning to the community.
Will performance measurement and outcome tracking matter?
Yes. While the specific metrics and reporting requirements are said to be detailed elsewhere in the NOFO, the description indicates that performance measurement, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement are likely to be important because the program is focused on reducing recidivism and improving reentry success.
Is this opportunity focused on prison reentry, jail reentry, or community supervision?
It is described as supporting adults returning after incarceration (which can include prison or jail) and those reentering while transitioning off probation or parole supervision.
What is BJA trying to change compared to "one-off" reentry services?
The program is aimed at helping communities move beyond fragmented services by building a more connected reentry approach that improves coordination across systems and aligns partners around shared goals and measurable outcomes.
Does the summary provide a complete list of allowable activities?
No. The summary notes that it does not list every allowable activity line-by-line, and instead points applicants to the Second Chance Act section 101(b) (34 USC 10631) and the NOFO for details.
Where should applicants look for the exact eligibility criteria and any conditions?
Applicants are expected to rely on the Eligible Applicants section of the NOFO for exact criteria and any conditions.
What is the overall goal for jurisdictions funded under this program?
The overall goal is to strengthen adult reentry systems by improving coordination and service delivery, implementing or expanding targeted interventions consistent with the Second Chance Act, and ultimately reducing recidivism while improving long-term community outcomes.
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