BJA FY 2026 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, is offering the Smart Reentry Demonstration Program to support state, local, and tribal governments in implementing comprehensive and collaborative reentry strategies. The program is intended to increase successful reentry for people returning to communities from adult correctional facilities and to establish or expand interventions designed to reduce recidivism. The program is authorized under the Second Chance Act framework and related Department of Justice appropriations. Its overall goal is to implement comprehensive approaches to reentry that reduce recidivism and enhance public safety. Projects must identify a target population returning from adult correctional facilities that drives recidivism rates, implement a reentry program addressing factors that inhibit successful reentry, and assess the impact of the intervention by tracking outcomes and identifying factors associated with success or failure. Expected deliverables include a comprehensive strategic plan for adult reentry, a plan to establish or expand an intervention for a subpopulation that drives recidivism rates, a final evaluation report, and a final performance report that includes required recidivism outcomes. The strategic plan must incorporate stakeholder input, the needs of the reentry population, available and needed services and resources, recidivism rates and reduction targets, and documentation of a Reentry Task Force or similar convening authority. Up to 6,805,353 dollars is expected to be available for up to seven awards, with an anticipated award amount of up to 1,100,000 dollars. Awards are expected to have a 36 month period beginning October 1, 2026. The program requires a 50 percent match based on total project costs. Federal funds may cover no more than 50 percent of total project costs, and recipients must provide at least 50 percent through cash and or in-kind contributions. A fiscal hardship match waiver may be requested through a separate JustGrants attachment titled Match Waiver and signed by the Authorized Representative. Award funds must be reasonable, allocable, necessary, and allowable. Specifically prohibited costs include prizes, rewards, entertainment, trinkets or other monetary incentives, client stipends, gift cards, vehicle purchases, and food and beverages. Activities that violate applicable federal immigration, civil rights, or nondiscrimination law are outside the program scope. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized tribes, and other units of local government such as towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general purpose political subdivisions of a state. Applicants may submit more than one application when each proposes a different project and may also apply to more than one Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act funding opportunity. Applicants must provide the Mandatory Chief Executive Assurance to Collect and Report Recidivism Indicator Data, certifying that the organization will collect unique identifiers and recidivism indicator performance data for each program participant. Application submission uses two required steps. Applicants must complete the SF-424 through Grants.gov by September 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and submit the full application through JustGrants by October 1, 2026, at 8:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424, Standard Applicant Information, a Proposal Narrative, a Budget, a Timeline, and the Mandatory Chief Executive Assurance to Collect and Report Recidivism Indicator Data. Other components include the proposal abstract, financial management and internal controls questionnaire, Agency Funding Priorities Inventory, applicable budget and financial attachments, a Memorandum of Understanding or letters of intent with project partners, applicable tribal and evaluation documentation, and required disclosures and assurances. The proposal narrative may not exceed 10 pages and must address Description of the Need, Project Goals and Objectives, Project Design and Implementation, and Capabilities and Competencies. Peer review weighting assigns 5 percent to Description of the Need, 15 percent to Project Goals and Objectives, 35 percent to Project Design and Implementation, 30 percent to Capabilities and Competencies, and 15 percent to the Budget. Priority consideration may apply to projects advancing stated Office of Justice Programs priorities and to qualifying coordination with federal law enforcement. Additional considerations include partnership with a local evaluator, focus on areas with disproportionate populations of people released from prisons or jails, review of supervision violation processes, targeting people assessed as moderate or high risk for recidivism, and targeting people with histories of homelessness, substance abuse, or mental illness. Priority consideration is only one factor in funding decisions and does not guarantee an award. The NOFO was released August 13, 2026. SAM.gov registration or renewal should begin by August 25, 2026, and no later than September 10, 2026. Anticipated notification is by September 30, 2026. Questions may be directed to the OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or 800-851-3420. JustGrants assistance is available at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175.

Prioritize a strong Project Design and Implementation section because it carries 35 percent of peer review scoring, followed by Capabilities and Competencies at 30 percent. Demonstrate the need with supporting data, clearly define the target population and baseline recidivism data, identify validated assessment tools and research-informed strategies, explain evaluation methods and responsibility, and connect activities, deliverables, outcomes, and budget costs. Address applicable funding priorities explicitly when seeking priority consideration. Ensure all required components are submitted because eligibility, compliance with the award ceiling, and responsiveness to the NOFO scope are basic minimum requirements.