The BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program, under the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), supports organizations and tribal governments in providing reentry services to individuals incarcerated in state or federal prisons and local jails. With a total anticipated funding of $14,000,000, the program seeks to help individuals at moderate to high risk for recidivism transition safely and effectively back into their communities. The maximum award for each project is $700,000, with a performance period of up to 36 months beginning October 1, 2025.
This program focuses on pre-release and post-release services to address challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. Eligible projects include individualized case management, gender-specific and trauma-informed programming, peer support, and connections to mental health, substance misuse treatment, education, employment, and housing services. Efforts should incorporate evidence-based practices and align with risk and needs assessments to maximize the effectiveness of interventions. Additionally, recipients are encouraged to engage in partnerships with correctional agencies to enhance service delivery and facilitate pre-release planning.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and nonprofit organizations. There are no matching fund requirements for this opportunity, and applicants may submit more than one proposal if each project is distinct. Strong collaboration with community stakeholders, correctional facilities, and other reentry services is emphasized as critical to program success. Organizations must demonstrate the ability to provide comprehensive services and manage federal funding responsibly.
Applications must be submitted in a two-step process, with the initial submission in Grants.gov by April 3, 2025, and the final application in JustGrants by April 10, 2025. Required materials include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, letters of support, and a mandatory assurance document signed by the organization’s chief executive. The application process also mandates an active registration in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the program's goals of reducing recidivism, the strength of proposed interventions, organizational capacity, and cost-effectiveness. Additional consideration may be given to projects incorporating independent evaluation methods, particularly those using rigorous methodologies like randomized control trials. Notifications of award decisions are expected by September 30, 2025.
Post-award requirements include the submission of an action plan within six months, ongoing performance and financial reports, and a final programmatic evaluation. BJA will provide technical assistance to grantees to ensure compliance with reporting standards and to support the successful implementation of reentry services. More information and application resources are available through the BJA website and associated technical support centers.
