BJA FY25 Invited to Apply Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center

The Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice administers funding and technical assistance programs that support criminal justice systems across the United States. One of its statutory responsibilities includes advancing compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which was enacted to address the prevention, detection, and response to sexual abuse in confinement settings. This funding opportunity is issued as an invited application under a cooperative agreement model, indicating substantial federal involvement in project execution. The program supports the PREA Resource Center, which serves as a national hub for training, technical assistance, and auditing coordination related to PREA standards. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the PREA Management Office in fulfilling federally mandated auditing responsibilities. These audits are required under the PREA statute and standards to ensure correctional facilities are complying with measures designed to prevent and respond to sexual victimization. The funded entity is expected to provide operational and programmatic support that enables the Department of Justice to maintain oversight of PREA compliance across adult and juvenile confinement facilities. This includes supporting audit processes, maintaining resources, and ensuring consistency in the application of PREA standards nationwide. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement with an award ceiling of 1,400,000 dollars. While no total program funding amount or number of awards is specified, the structure implies a single recipient designated through an invitation-only process. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity. Allowable uses of funds are aligned with programmatic support for PREA implementation, including auditing coordination, technical assistance, and potentially administrative support necessary to carry out federal oversight responsibilities. As a cooperative agreement, the Bureau of Justice Assistance is expected to maintain involvement in the direction and oversight of funded activities. Eligibility for this opportunity is highly restricted. Only organizations that have received an official invitation letter from the Bureau of Justice Assistance may apply. Specifically, the notice identifies Impact Justice as the sole eligible applicant. This indicates that the opportunity is not open to general competition and is intended to continue or expand an existing partnership or specialized capacity. As such, the eligibility criteria do not extend to other nonprofit organizations, government entities, or private institutions unless explicitly invited. The application process is limited to invited applicants and follows standard federal grant submission procedures. Applicants are expected to prepare and submit required documentation through Grants.gov or other designated federal systems, although specific application components are not detailed in the summary. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are indicated. The submission deadline is May 6, 2026, and applicants must ensure timely submission by that date. The notice does not specify review criteria or evaluation methodology, but given the invited nature, assessment is likely based on alignment with program expectations and prior performance. The timeline for this opportunity is straightforward, with a posted date of April 28, 2026, and a closing date of May 6, 2026. There is no indication that this opportunity is recurring, suggesting it is issued as needed based on program requirements. Award decisions and performance periods are not specified in the available information, but cooperative agreements of this nature typically begin shortly after award notification and may span multiple years depending on funding availability and program scope. For additional information or assistance, applicants are directed to contact the Office of Justice Programs Response Center via email.