BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Pay for Success Initiative

The Second Chance Act Pay for Success Initiative, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, provides funding for state, local, and tribal governments to implement or enhance performance-based and outcomes-based contracting for reentry services. Rooted in the legislative frameworks of the Second Chance Act of 2007 and the First Step Act of 2018, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce recidivism and promote long-term reentry success for individuals leaving incarceration. The initiative aims to shift government funding models away from traditional direct-payment systems to those that link compensation to the achievement of defined outcomes—fostering accountability, innovation, and efficiency in public service delivery. The funding opportunity is divided into two categories. Category 1 supports individualized reentry services for individuals assessed as moderate to high risk of reoffending, based on validated risk tools. This category emphasizes procurement and contract management that clearly defines metrics, outcome measures, benchmarks, payment models, and accountability mechanisms like penalties and incentives. Category 2 focuses specifically on reentry housing, structured similarly to Category 1 in its contracting and performance evaluation but centering on housing stability and supportive services as core outcomes. Both categories are grounded in evidence-based practices and require robust data collection, monitoring, and validation frameworks. Applicants must propose a minimum planning period of 12 months, followed by a 36-month implementation phase and a 6-month post-implementation period, with an overall performance period of 54 months. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments, public housing authorities, and Indian housing authorities. All applications must demonstrate a commitment from at least one correction or community supervision agency to support the project through staff time, services, or other resources, formalized through a memorandum of understanding or letter of intent. This condition ensures that projects are rooted in cross-agency collaboration essential to effective reentry. The submission process consists of two stages. Step 1 requires applicants to submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov by April 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Step 2 requires submission of the full application through JustGrants by May 4, 2026, at 8:59 PM ET. The application must include a proposal abstract, a detailed narrative organized into four required sections (description of the issue, goals and objectives, project design and implementation, and capabilities and competencies), and various attachments. Required attachments include a budget detail form, resumes or CVs for key personnel, mandatory assurances (Appendices A and B), MOUs or letters of intent from supporting partners, and documentation of any proposed subrecipients. Applications will be evaluated based on their responsiveness to program goals, clarity and feasibility of project design, demonstration of capacity and experience, and the adequacy of the proposed budget. Peer reviewers will assess five weighted criteria: Description of the Issue (15%), Project Goals and Objectives (20%), Project Design and Implementation (30%), Capabilities and Competencies (25%), and Budget (10%). Awards are expected to begin October 1, 2025. Recipients must submit quarterly financial and semi-annual performance reports and are also required to provide a final report detailing achieved outcomes and associated payments. The total funding allocated under this opportunity is $6.25 million. Up to one award is anticipated under Category 1, capped at $1.25 million, and up to five awards under Category 2, capped at $1 million each. While applicants may propose budgets below the ceilings, the requested amount must be sufficient and justifiable relative to the proposed scope of work. There is no matching or cost-sharing requirement. Awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and compliance with federal statutes, including civil rights and nondiscrimination requirements. Contact for program-related questions is the OJP Response Center, available via email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-851-3420.

Ensure data-sharing agreements and staffing are in place early; define benchmarks and outcome metrics clearly in contracts; avoid vague service models.