BJA FY25 Invited to Apply Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program

The BJA FY25 Invited to Apply – Prison Rape Elimination Act Reallocation Funds Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Department of Justice. This program is part of the broader efforts of the Office of Justice Programs to support public safety, uphold the rule of law, and protect civil rights within correctional systems across the United States. The funding is specifically allocated to support compliance with and implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which establishes national standards aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse and harassment in confinement settings. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide targeted financial assistance to correctional agencies and facilities to strengthen their compliance with PREA standards. These standards are designed to ensure the safety and dignity of incarcerated individuals by reducing incidents of sexual abuse and harassment within prisons, jails, and other detention facilities. The program supports initiatives that enhance detection mechanisms, improve reporting systems, and implement effective response protocols to incidents of abuse. Funding under this program may be used to support a variety of activities, including staff training, policy development, monitoring and auditing systems, and the implementation of prevention strategies within correctional environments. The program emphasizes the importance of creating safer institutional cultures and improving accountability mechanisms within correctional systems. By supporting these efforts, the Bureau of Justice Assistance aims to reduce victimization and promote safer conditions for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. This funding opportunity is categorized as an invited-to-apply program, meaning that eligibility is restricted to specific entities that have been pre-selected or invited by the funding agency. In this case, eligible applicants are limited to state government agencies that have been invited to apply for reallocated funds under the PREA program. This targeted approach ensures that funds are directed to jurisdictions with identified needs or compliance gaps related to PREA standards. The award structure includes a maximum funding amount of $420,866. The forecast does not specify a minimum award amount, and total program funding is not provided. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding, which allows invited applicants to fully utilize federal funds for eligible program activities. The absence of a matching requirement simplifies the application process for eligible state agencies. The application timeline for this opportunity is relatively short, with the notice posted in May 2026 and a closing date in early June 2026. Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline, and late submissions are not typically accepted. While detailed application components are not outlined in the synopsis, applicants can expect to provide program plans, compliance strategies, and documentation supporting their eligibility and proposed activities. The Bureau of Justice Assistance will oversee the implementation of funded projects to ensure compliance with federal requirements and alignment with program goals. This opportunity is not identified as recurring and represents a targeted allocation of funds to support critical improvements in correctional facility safety and compliance with national standards related to the prevention of sexual abuse and harassment.