BJA FY25 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Program

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), provides critical support to RSAT grantees operating in correctional settings across the United States. The RSAT initiative is designed to facilitate effective substance use treatment during incarceration, followed by structured aftercare services that aid individuals in successfully reintegrating into their communities. This funding opportunity seeks a single TTA provider to assist RSAT grantees at the state and local levels in implementing evidence-based substance use treatment interventions and aftercare strategies within correctional environments. The chosen TTA provider will offer specialized support to RSAT grantees, addressing challenges in delivering comprehensive residential substance use treatment. Core functions of the provider will include strengthening clinical assessment procedures, implementing reliable substance use testing protocols, enhancing medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and building community-based aftercare networks. Additionally, the TTA provider will be responsible for maintaining and updating the RSAT TTA website, ensuring that it reflects current evidence-based practices and evolving field needs. This centralized information hub will serve as a key resource for both state-level RSAT grantees and their subrecipients. Applicants must design their TTA proposals around clearly defined goals and objectives. These include providing assistance in implementing standardized testing methods, offering MAT-focused training for correctional environments, supporting the formation of coordinated aftercare systems, and formalizing partnerships with probation/parole services, job training entities, and peer support networks. Another important aspect of the program involves supporting correctional staff in connecting program participants with behavioral health services upon release. To track effectiveness, awardees will be expected to submit performance reports detailing actions taken, grantee engagement, and broader implementation trends observed across correctional settings. Funding for this opportunity totals $700,000, with a single anticipated award of up to that amount. The period of performance will begin on June 1, 2026, and last for 12 months. The program does not require a cost share or matching funds. This award will be structured as a cooperative agreement, enabling BJA to maintain substantial involvement in the implementation and oversight of the awarded project. Entities eligible to apply include nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit entities excluding small businesses, and public or private institutions of higher education. To apply, organizations must complete a two-step submission process. First, they must submit the SF-424 form in Grants.gov by May 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Then, they must submit the full application via JustGrants by May 11, 2026, at 8:59 PM ET. Required application components include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, resumes of key personnel, and work product examples that demonstrate relevant past performance. The proposal narrative should address the identified need, proposed project design, and organizational capabilities. Additional required documents include financial questionnaires, lobbying disclosures (if applicable), and assurances. Applications will be reviewed for responsiveness to minimum requirements and undergo a peer review process. Evaluation criteria include the clarity and alignment of the project design with RSAT objectives, the strength of the applicant’s technical capabilities, and cost effectiveness. Final award decisions rest with the Assistant Attorney General, taking into account not just peer scores but also geographic distribution and DOJ priorities. Performance measures and reporting requirements will apply to all funded projects. The successful TTA provider will play a vital role in helping correctional systems nationwide implement evidence-based treatment and aftercare practices, ultimately contributing to improved public safety and reduced recidivism.

Ensure strong narrative alignment with RSAT goals and address performance measures for scoring advantage.