New Jail Planning Initiative

The New Jail Planning Initiative is a funding opportunity issued by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice. NIC specializes in shaping correctional practices across the United States through training, policy support, and technical assistance. This initiative continues NIC's commitment to improving the jail and justice system through targeted revisions of planning materials and the implementation of pilot programs designed to validate and finalize those revisions. This opportunity is not a new solicitation but a continuation of Cooperative Agreement award 23JD13GLP1. It involves revising jail and justice system materials, conducting pilot testing of the revised materials, and completing final edits to prepare the content for broader implementation. These resources are intended to support jurisdictions in developing effective strategies for jail planning that are legally sound, resource-conscious, and aligned with best practices in criminal justice reform. Funding for this initiative is being offered as a Cooperative Agreement, meaning the National Institute of Corrections will maintain substantial involvement in the project’s implementation. This includes overseeing content development, coordinating pilot testing, and providing technical support to ensure program fidelity and impact. The total program funding for this continuation award is $350,000, and only one award is expected to be issued. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements associated with this opportunity, simplifying participation for eligible entities. However, eligibility is highly restricted: this announcement does not constitute an open competition. Rather, it serves solely as notification of NIC’s intention to continue an existing cooperative agreement. Thus, no new applicants will be considered. The submission window opened on March 12, 2026, and closes on March 27, 2026. As the opportunity is a noncompetitive continuation, the recipient is already known, and the primary purpose of the announcement is compliance with federal transparency regulations. The assistance listing number for this initiative is 16.601, which corresponds to the Corrections Training and Staff Development program. Questions or concerns about access to the announcement or agreement can be directed to Cameron D. Coblentz, the Grant Management Specialist overseeing this opportunity. Mr. Coblentz can be reached at 202-514-0053. Given the nature of the opportunity as a continuation, there are no evaluation criteria or submission procedures for external applicants. The program is structured for execution only by the previously awarded recipient and will proceed under the guidance of NIC.