Opportunity ID: 363637
General Information
| Funding Opportunity Number | O-BJA-2026-172698 |
| Funding Opportunity Title | BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes |
| Agency | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Document Type | synopsis |
| Version | 2 |
| Opportunity Category | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Funding Instrument Type | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity | Law, Justice and Legal Services |
| Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Expected Number of Awards | Not specified |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement | No |
| Posted Date | Aug 17, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Last Updated Date | Sep 10, 2026 04:08:33 PM EDT |
| Original Closing Date | Sep 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Original Closing Date Notes | Not specified |
| Current Closing Date | Sep 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Current Closing Date Notes | Not specified |
| Estimated Synopsis Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Application Due Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Award Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Project Start Date | Not specified |
| Archive Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Total Program Funding | Not specified |
| Award Ceiling | 1,000,000 |
| Award Floor | 0 |
Assistance Listings
- 16.812 — Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Special district governments; Independent school districts; Small businesses; County governments; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Private institutions of higher education; City or township governments; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; State governments; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); For profit organizations other than small businesses |
Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.; Faith-based Organizations: Religious organizations, faith-based nonprofits, and organizations with religious charters, names, or missions.
Description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act (SCA) Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments and community-based organizations to provide education and employment programs for adults and youth leaving prison and jail. The goal of the program is to improve academic and vocational/trade programs available to adults and youth in prisons and jails and expand workforce development and career pathways that result in improved job readiness, employment attainment, and retention, thereby improving employment prospects and reducing recidivism. Applicants may consider proposing projects that develop marketable skills, leverage technology, and build capacity to align with their local job market and engage in the digital economy.
Additional Information
| Contact | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Contact Information | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov | |
| Email Description | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Phone | 202-514-9354 |
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172698
Version History
Version history
| Opp hist id / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Opp hist id / Revision | 0 |
| Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Opportunity number | O-BJA-2026-172698 |
| Opportunity title | BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes |
| Owning agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity category / Category | D |
| Opportunity category / Description | Discretionary |
| Synopsis / Id / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Synopsis / Id / Revision | 0 |
| Synopsis / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Synopsis / Revision | 0 |
| Synopsis / Version | 1 |
| Synopsis / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency address desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Code | BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Seed | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Agency contact phone | 202-514-9354 |
| Synopsis / Agency contact name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Synopsis / Agency contact desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Synopsis desc | This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act (SCA) Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments and community-based organizations to provide education and employment programs for adults and youth leaving prison and jail. The goal of the program is to improve academic and vocational/trade programs available to adults and youth in prisons and jails and expand workforce development and career pathways that result in improved job readiness, employment attainment, and retention, thereby improving employment prospects and reducing recidivism. Applicants may consider proposing projects that develop marketable skills, leverage technology, and build capacity to align with their local job market and engage in the digital economy. |
| Synopsis / Response date | Sep 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Funding desc link url | https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172698 |
| Synopsis / Funding desc link desc | https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172698 |
| Synopsis / Posting date | Aug 17, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Cost sharing | No |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling | 1000000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling formatted | 1,000,000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor | 0 |
| Synopsis / Award floor formatted | 0 |
| Synopsis / Applicant eligibility desc | Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.; Faith-based Organizations: Religious organizations, faith-based nonprofits, and organizations with religious charters, names, or missions. |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp | Aug 17, 2026 05:36:39 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Action type | U |
| Synopsis / Action date | Sep 10, 2026 04:08:33 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Created date | Aug 17, 2026 05:36:39 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Last updated date | Aug 17, 2026 05:36:39 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Id | 02 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Description | City or township governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 2 / Id | 07 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 2 / Description | Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 3 / Id | 11 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 3 / Description | Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 4 / Id | 22 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 4 / Description | For profit organizations other than small businesses |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 5 / Id | 01 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 5 / Description | County governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 6 / Id | 25 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 6 / Description | Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 7 / Id | 05 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 7 / Description | Independent school districts |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 8 / Id | 06 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 8 / Description | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 9 / Id | 23 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 9 / Description | Small businesses |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 10 / Id | 00 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 10 / Description | State governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 11 / Id | 20 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 11 / Description | Private institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 12 / Id | 04 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 12 / Description | Special district governments |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Id | G |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Description | Grant |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Id | LJL |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Description | Law, Justice and Legal Services |
| Synopsis / Response date str | 2026-09-24-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Posting date str | 2026-08-17-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp str | 2026-08-17-17-36-39 |
| Cfdas 1 / Id | 435111 |
| Cfdas 1 / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Cfdas 1 / Revision | 0 |
| Cfdas 1 / Cfda number | 16.812 |
| Cfdas 1 / Program title | Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative |
| Synopsis modified fields | Not specified |
| Forecast modified fields | Not specified |
Synopsis changes
revision
version
createTimeStamp
applicantTypes
| Id | 363637 |
| Revision | 1 |
| Opportunity number | O-BJA-2026-172698 |
| Opportunity title | BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes |
| Owning agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity category / Category | D |
| Opportunity category / Description | Discretionary |
| Synopsis / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Synopsis / Version | 2 |
| Synopsis / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Synopsis / Agency phone | 202-514-9354 |
| Synopsis / Agency address desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Code | BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Seed | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Seed | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency name | Department of Justice |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis / Agency contact phone | 202-514-9354 |
| Synopsis / Agency contact name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Synopsis / Agency contact desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email desc | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Synopsis / Synopsis desc | This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act (SCA) Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments and community-based organizations to provide education and employment programs for adults and youth leaving prison and jail. The goal of the program is to improve academic and vocational/trade programs available to adults and youth in prisons and jails and expand workforce development and career pathways that result in improved job readiness, employment attainment, and retention, thereby improving employment prospects and reducing recidivism. Applicants may consider proposing projects that develop marketable skills, leverage technology, and build capacity to align with their local job market and engage in the digital economy. |
| Synopsis / Response date | Sep 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Funding desc link url | https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172698 |
| Synopsis / Funding desc link desc | https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172698 |
| Synopsis / Posting date | Aug 17, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Cost sharing | No |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling | 1000000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling formatted | 1,000,000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor | 0 |
| Synopsis / Award floor formatted | 0 |
| Synopsis / Applicant eligibility desc | Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.; Faith-based Organizations: Religious organizations, faith-based nonprofits, and organizations with religious charters, names, or missions. |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp | Sep 10, 2026 04:08:33 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Mod comments | Updated 501c3 eligibility. |
| Synopsis / Created date | Aug 17, 2026 05:36:39 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Last updated date | Sep 10, 2026 04:08:33 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Id | 06 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Description | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 2 / Id | 04 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 2 / Description | Special district governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 3 / Id | 05 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 3 / Description | Independent school districts |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 4 / Id | 23 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 4 / Description | Small businesses |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 5 / Id | 01 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 5 / Description | County governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 6 / Id | 12 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 6 / Description | Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 7 / Id | 20 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 7 / Description | Private institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 8 / Id | 02 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 8 / Description | City or township governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 9 / Id | 07 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 9 / Description | Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 10 / Id | 11 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 10 / Description | Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 11 / Id | 13 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 11 / Description | Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 12 / Id | 00 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 12 / Description | State governments |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 13 / Id | 25 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 13 / Description | Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 14 / Id | 22 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 14 / Description | For profit organizations other than small businesses |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Id | G |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Description | Grant |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Id | LJL |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Description | Law, Justice and Legal Services |
| Synopsis / Response date str | 2026-09-24-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Posting date str | 2026-08-17-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp str | 2026-09-10-16-08-33 |
| Agency details / Code | BJA |
| Agency details / Seed | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Agency details / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Agency details / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Top agency details / Code | USDOJ |
| Top agency details / Seed | USDOJ |
| Top agency details / Agency name | Department of Justice |
| Top agency details / Agency code | USDOJ |
| Top agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Synopsis attachment folders | Not specified |
| Synopsis document urls | Not specified |
| Syn att change comments | Not specified |
| Cfdas 1 / Id | 435111 |
| Cfdas 1 / Opportunity id | 363637 |
| Cfdas 1 / Cfda number | 16.812 |
| Cfdas 1 / Program title | Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Id | 293998 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Topportunity id | 363637 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Family id | 15 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Dialect | XFDL2.2 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity number | O-BJA-2026-172698 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity title | BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Cfda number | 16.812 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date | 2026-08-17 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date | 2026-09-24 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Owning agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Code | BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Seed | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Seed | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency name | Department of Justice |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Program title | Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Contact info | OJP Response Center |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Competition id | C-BJA-2026-00015-PROD |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Competition title | Category 1: Improving Reentry Education Outcomes |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Electronic required | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Expected application count | 150 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Open to applicant type | 1 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Is multi project | N |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Extension | |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Mimetype | application/pdf |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Last update | Sep 10, 2026 04:08:37 PM EDT |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Workspace compatible flag | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Package id | PKG00293998 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date str | 2026-08-17-00-00-00 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date str | 2026-09-24-00-00-00 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Id | 293999 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Topportunity id | 363637 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Family id | 15 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Dialect | XFDL2.2 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Opportunity number | O-BJA-2026-172698 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Opportunity title | BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Cfda number | 16.812 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Opening date | 2026-08-17 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Closing date | 2026-09-24 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Owning agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Agency details / Code | BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Agency details / Seed | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Agency details / Agency name | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Agency details / Agency code | USDOJ-OJP-BJA |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Top agency details / Code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Top agency details / Seed | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Top agency details / Agency name | Department of Justice |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Top agency details / Agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Top agency details / Top agency code | USDOJ |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Program title | Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Contact info | OJP Response Center |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Competition id | C-BJA-2026-00016-PROD |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Competition title | Category 2: Improving Reentry Employment Outcomes |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Electronic required | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Expected application count | 150 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Open to applicant type | 1 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Is multi project | N |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Extension | |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Mimetype | application/pdf |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Last update | Sep 10, 2026 04:09:01 PM EDT |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Workspace compatible flag | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Package id | PKG00293999 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Opening date str | 2026-08-17-00-00-00 |
| Opportunity pkgs 2 / Closing date str | 2026-09-24-00-00-00 |
| Closed opportunity pkgs | Not specified |
| Original due date | Sep 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis modified fields | revision; version; createTimeStamp; applicantTypes |
| Forecast modified fields | Not specified |
| Error messages | Not specified |
| Syn post date in past | Yes |
| Doc type | synopsis |
| Forecast hist count | 0 |
| Synopsis hist count | 0 |
| Assist compatible | No |
| Assist url | Not specified |
| Related opps | Not specified |
| Ost | POSTED |
Related Documents
There are no related documents on this grant.
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.812 | C-BJA-2026-00015-PROD | Category 1: Improving Reentry Education Outcomes | PKG00293998 | 2026-08-17 | 2026-09-24 | View |
| 16.812 | C-BJA-2026-00016-PROD | Category 2: Improving Reentry Employment Outcomes | PKG00293999 | 2026-08-17 | 2026-09-24 | View |
Package 1
Instructions
PKG00293998-instructions.pdf
Mandatory forms
SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf
Package 2
Instructions
PKG00293998-instructions.pdf
Mandatory forms
SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf
