FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for community-based organizations and tribal governments supporting reentry services. Applicants must work with people returning from adult correctional facilities assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism. Services include mentoring and transitional support provided before and/or after release.
Organizations must be able to provide evidence-based reentry programming. Partners may include law enforcement, corrections, treatment providers, and employers. Programs should address employment, housing, family reunification, and substance abuse recovery.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and tribal entities. Prior BJA funding experience is beneficial but not required.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program. This opportunity will support community-based organizations and tribal governments to provide mentoring and transitional services for people returning to communities from adult correctional facilities and who are assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism. Services may be provided pre-and/or post-release.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Community Health Center
- Faith-based Organization
- Nonprofits
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Need
- Work Plan with Timeline
- Evaluation Plan and Outcome Measures
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Commitment from Partners
- Risk Assessment Tool Documentation
- Proof of 501(c)(3) Status or Tribal Designation
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.812 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$7,300,000
-
$6,543,386
-
$6,150,000
-
$5,474,583
-
$5,200,000
-
$4,976,276
-
$4,000,000
-
$4,000,000
-
$4,000,000
-
$3,600,000
Top States by Funding
- KY 9 awards $29.3M
- CA 8 awards $19.3M
- VA 5 awards $15.7M
- LA 6 awards $8.0M
- NY 6 awards $6.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.812). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $51,326,073 | |
| 2025 | $35,408,289 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Community-based organizations, tribal governments, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations can apply. You must demonstrate capacity to serve people reentering communities from correctional facilities.
What activities are funded?
Mentoring, transitional services, employment support, housing assistance, family reunification, and substance abuse recovery services are eligible. Services may start before release and continue post-release.
What is the funding range?
Awards go up to approximately $1,000,000 per award. Exact amounts vary based on program design and need.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from your organization.
When do I apply?
The deadline is October 30, 2026. Check the BJA website for exact application opening date and any rolling submission periods.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on serving moderate-to-high risk individuals. Clearly explain your risk assessment methodology and why your target population fits this profile.
- Build partnerships with corrections agencies, law enforcement, and employers. Strong collaborations strengthen competitiveness significantly.
- Use data from your service area. Include recidivism rates, local reentry challenges, and unmet service gaps to justify your approach.
- Show evidence-based practices. Reference peer-reviewed research supporting your mentoring and transitional service models.
- Demonstrate sustainability planning. Explain how you'll continue services beyond the grant period using state funds, fees, or other sources.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague risk assessment criteria. Failing to clearly define how you identify moderate-to-high risk individuals reduces competitiveness.
Weak partnership documentation. Weak or underdeveloped relationships with corrections, employers, and service providers weakens the application.
Insufficient recidivism metrics. Not including baseline recidivism data or measurable outcomes for your target population undermines your proposal credibility.
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