BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program

The Smart Reentry Demonstration Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the U.S. Department of Justice, supports comprehensive strategies to reduce recidivism and promote successful reentry of adults transitioning from incarceration. Established under the authority of the Second Chance Act and supported further by the First Step Act of 2018, this program reflects the federal government’s commitment to public safety and rehabilitation. The BJA offers funding to state, local, and Tribal governments to develop or expand reentry programs that address systemic gaps in services and enhance continuity of care for individuals reentering society. The primary objective of the program is to assist eligible jurisdictions in implementing data-driven, collaborative, and sustainable reentry initiatives. These may include interventions targeting mental health, housing, substance use, employment, or family reunification, and must be grounded in evidence-based practices. Programs funded through this opportunity are expected to identify a target subpopulation—such as individuals with histories of homelessness, substance use, or mental illness—who are at moderate or high risk of recidivism. Applicants must build programs that reduce barriers to successful reentry, reduce crime, and improve long-term outcomes for justice-involved populations. Eligible entities must develop a comprehensive strategic reentry plan and detail an intervention plan tailored to the subpopulation they aim to serve. Both plans must include stakeholder engagement, analysis of service gaps, coordination strategies across agencies, and clear outcome targets. A mandatory element is the formation of a Reentry Task Force or equivalent body to guide implementation and evaluation. In addition, applicants are required to submit a final report documenting evaluation findings and performance outcomes using rigorous methodologies, including, where possible, randomized or quasi-experimental designs. The BJA prioritizes applications that partner with evaluators, serve areas with high rates of reentry, use validated risk assessment tools, and emphasize graduated sanctions over re-incarceration for technical violations. Projects that align with broader DOJ priorities—such as combatting violent crime, supporting victims of trafficking or sexual assault, and protecting children—will receive special consideration. Additionally, this program includes a 50% cost-sharing match requirement, of which at least 25% must be cash; in-kind contributions are limited to half of the total match amount. A waiver may be requested in cases of documented fiscal hardship. Applications must follow a two-step process: first, submission of the SF-424 form via Grants.gov by March 19, 2026; second, completion of the full application in JustGrants by March 26, 2026. Required components include a detailed proposal narrative, budget detail form, letters of support, resumes of key personnel, and several assurances including a signed form agreeing to track recidivism indicators. Additional documents may include memoranda of understanding, a sustainability plan, and documentation for subrecipients or contractors. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and have a UEI number. The anticipated award date is October 1, 2026, with a period of performance of 36 months. The total estimated funding available is $4,000,000, with up to four awards of no more than $1,000,000 each. Based on the publication schedule and references to the “FY 2025” cohort, this grant is expected to recur annually. BJA may issue continuation funding in future years depending on performance and strategic alignment. Awardees are required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance updates, and a final evaluation report to maintain compliance.

Priority is given to projects with rigorous evaluation methods, those targeting moderate to high-risk populations, and those in high-return communities; match waivers must show fiscal hardship.