BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program

The Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, provides federal funding to support community-based organizations and tribal governments in delivering transitional and mentoring services to adults exiting incarceration. This funding opportunity aims to address the challenges associated with reentry by supporting efforts that reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals, particularly those identified as being at moderate to high risk of returning to criminal behavior. The program recognizes the complex needs faced by this population and encourages holistic and evidence-based approaches to reentry service delivery. Funded activities under this program may occur pre-release, post-release, or across both periods. Eligible uses of funds include, but are not limited to, the use of validated assessment tools for identifying criminogenic needs and risks; provision of educational, vocational, and literacy services; implementation of a Transitional Jobs strategy; provision of mental health and substance use treatment services; mentoring (individual or group) or peer supports; assistance with family reunification and restoration; service coordination and referrals to safe housing, healthcare, and ongoing behavioral health treatment; and training on reentry and victim-related topics. Transitional Jobs strategies are specifically defined to include subsidized employment for chronically unemployed individuals, coupled with services designed to build skills and overcome employment barriers, with the ultimate goal of permanent employment placement. Applicants must demonstrate active partnerships with relevant corrections agencies, particularly those responsible for the release of individuals who would be served by the program. This includes submitting Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) from correctional partners that outline terms for facility access, data sharing, and service coordination. All applicants are also required to submit a signed Chief Executive Assurance form (Appendix A) agreeing to collect and report data on recidivism indicators for program participants. The program prioritizes applications that propose to implement proven strategies and commit to independent evaluations using rigorous methods such as random assignment when feasible. The application process is twofold: applicants must first submit an SF-424 form via Grants.gov by May 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, followed by submission of the full application in JustGrants by May 11, 2026, at 8:59 PM ET. To begin, applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Required application components include a proposal abstract, a detailed proposal narrative outlining need, goals, implementation plans, and organizational capabilities, a budget using the JustGrants budget detail form, MOUs/MOAs, and supporting attachments such as staff résumés, evaluation plans, and assurance forms. All applicants must adhere to strict guidelines and formatting, including narrative page limits and specific content sections. Total anticipated funding for this program is $12,000,000, with up to 13 awards expected. Each grant may request up to $1,000,000 for a 36-month period beginning June 1, 2026. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Awards will be made as grants, and recipients must comply with comprehensive post-award reporting requirements, including quarterly financial reports and semi-annual performance reports. Performance will be assessed based on deliverables such as final reports and demonstrated progress against stated goals. The BJA may conduct or support independent evaluations of funded projects to further refine best practices in reentry support. The funding opportunity is issued under the statutory authority of the Second Chance Act of 2007 and the First Step Act of 2018. It is one of six reentry-focused NOFOs released by BJA in fiscal year 2025. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose projects support broader Department of Justice goals such as combatting violent crime and supporting American victims, and those that plan independent evaluations. The BJA encourages early preparation, including starting registration processes well in advance of the submission deadlines, and emphasizes that technical difficulties will only be considered for deadline waivers when thoroughly documented and reported promptly.

Include a rigorous evaluation plan and detailed MOUs with corrections agencies to strengthen your proposal.