Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2016 8990

The Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors (Funding Opportunity Number: BJA 2016 8990) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under CFDA 16.812. Its purpose is to fund community-based reentry efforts that help adults returning from incarceration successfully transition back into the community, with a strong emphasis on serving people who are assessed as having a moderate to high risk of reoffending. The core idea is to reduce recidivism and improve public safety by combining practical reentry supports with structured mentoring relationships that can help participants stay engaged, navigate barriers, and build stability after release.

Funding is designed to support comprehensive, evidence-based reentry services delivered in the community, meaning the program expects applicants to offer more than a single service or short-term assistance. While the opportunity summary does not list specific required service categories, the language "comprehensive" and "evidence-based" typically signals an expectation of coordinated supports that address multiple reentry needs, such as case management and service planning, connections to employment and education, housing assistance, behavioral health or substance use treatment linkages, and other stabilization services that are commonly tied to successful reentry outcomes. A defining requirement in this opportunity is the inclusion of a mentoring component, integrating mentors into the overall service model rather than treating mentoring as an optional add-on. This suggests BJA is looking for programs that pair returning individuals with trained mentors who can provide consistent guidance, accountability, and pro-social support throughout the reentry process.

The total anticipated award structure is up to $1,000,000 per award over a three-year project period, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000. BJA expected to make approximately 10 awards under this solicitation. The opportunity was created on February 18, 2016, with an original application closing date of April 12, 2016. As a grant (the listed funding instrument type), the program funds allowable project activities proposed by successful applicants and carried out over the multi-year period, typically with performance measurement and reporting expectations aligned to federal justice assistance grant standards.

Eligibility is limited and targeted to organizations that already have demonstrated capacity in adult reentry. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, including tribal nonprofit organizations, that can document a history of delivering comprehensive, evidence-based reentry services. In addition, federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) are eligible to apply. This eligibility restriction indicates the program is not intended for new or untested providers; instead, it is aimed at established reentry organizations and tribal governments that can show experience, credible program models, and the ability to implement structured mentoring alongside a broader service continuum.

Overall, this opportunity supports community-based organizations and tribal governments in building or expanding adult reentry programs that blend proven reentry interventions with mentoring to help formerly incarcerated adults at higher risk of recidivism successfully reintegrate, access needed supports, and maintain law-abiding, stable lives in the community.

  • The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.812.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2016-02-18.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-04-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for BJA 2016 8990

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is called the Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors (Funding Opportunity Number: BJA 2016 8990).

Which federal agency administers this grant?

This is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 16.812.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is intended to fund community-based adult reentry efforts that help people returning from incarceration transition successfully back into the community, with the broader goals of reducing recidivism and improving public safety.

Who is the program designed to serve?

The focus is on adults returning from incarceration, with a strong emphasis on serving individuals assessed as having a moderate to high risk of reoffending.

What does "community-based" mean in this opportunity?

It means services and supports are delivered in the community to assist people after release, rather than being limited to services provided only inside correctional facilities.

Is mentoring required under this solicitation?

Yes. A defining requirement is the inclusion of a mentoring component that is integrated into the overall reentry service model, not treated as an optional add-on.

How is mentoring expected to fit into the program model?

The solicitation emphasizes structured mentoring relationships that help participants stay engaged, navigate barriers, and build stability after release. The intent is for mentoring to complement practical reentry supports and be part of the program design.

Are there expectations around using evidence-based practices?

Yes. The opportunity is described as supporting comprehensive, evidence-based reentry services delivered in the community. Applicants are expected to propose approaches grounded in evidence and implemented in a coordinated way.

Does the grant support a single-service program, or does it require a broader set of supports?

The language emphasizes "comprehensive" services, signaling that the program expects more than a single service or short-term assistance. The expectation is a coordinated set of supports addressing multiple reentry needs.

What types of reentry services are typically associated with a "comprehensive" approach in this description?

While the summary does not list required service categories, it describes comprehensive supports that commonly include coordinated case management and service planning, connections to employment and education, housing assistance, behavioral health or substance use treatment linkages, and other stabilization services tied to successful reentry outcomes.

What is the maximum amount that can be awarded?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award over a three-year project period.

How long is the project period?

The project period is three years.

How many awards did BJA expect to make?

BJA expected to make approximately 10 awards under this solicitation.

What type of funding instrument is this?

The funding instrument type listed is a grant.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on February 18, 2016.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was April 12, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to (1) nonprofit organizations, including tribal nonprofit organizations, that can document a history of delivering comprehensive, evidence-based adult reentry services, and (2) federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior).

Are new or first-time reentry providers eligible?

The eligibility language indicates the program is targeted to established providers. Nonprofit applicants must document a history of delivering comprehensive, evidence-based adult reentry services, suggesting this is not intended for new or untested providers.

Can tribal governments apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) are eligible applicants.

Can tribal nonprofit organizations apply?

Yes. Tribal nonprofit organizations are included under the eligible nonprofit category, provided they can document a history of delivering comprehensive, evidence-based adult reentry services.

What does the opportunity mean by "moderate to high risk of reoffending"?

The program places emphasis on serving people assessed as moderate to high risk of recidivism, meaning applicants should be prepared to focus services on individuals identified through risk assessment as more likely to reoffend without targeted intervention.

What outcomes is BJA trying to achieve through this program?

The stated goals are to reduce recidivism and improve public safety by combining practical reentry supports with structured mentoring relationships that promote engagement, pro-social support, and stability after release.

Does the opportunity mention reporting or performance measurement expectations?

Yes. The description notes that, as a federal justice assistance grant, the project is typically carried out with performance measurement and reporting expectations aligned to federal grant standards.

Is the program focused on adults or youth?

This solicitation is specifically for adult reentry, supporting adults returning from incarceration.

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