Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2020 17240
The BJA FY 20 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), offered as a cooperative agreement. Its purpose is to strengthen reentry work nationwide by helping jurisdictions and service providers develop, implement, improve, and test strategies that support youth and adults transitioning from detention or incarceration back into their communities. The program is rooted in the Second Chance Act (SCA), which prioritizes practical, evidence-informed reentry efforts that ultimately aim to reduce recidivism and improve public safety by addressing the barriers people face when returning home.
A key feature of this opportunity is that it is specifically focused on training and technical assistance rather than direct service delivery alone. In practice, that means funding is intended to build the capacity of agencies, communities, and organizations to run better reentry programs by providing guidance, tools, coaching, implementation support, and lessons learned that can be replicated. The work supported under SCA appropriations is connected to the broader federal reentry portfolio, with BJA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) using these funds to support reentry services and improvements that can be adopted by state and local governments, tribal governments, and community partners. The overall emphasis is on improving reentry systems and program quality in ways that measurably reduce repeat involvement in the justice system.
The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BJA 2020 17240) falls under CFDA 16.812 and is categorized across multiple activity areas that commonly intersect with reentry, including education, employment and training, health, and related human services. This signals an expectation that reentry support is multi-disciplinary: successful transitions typically require coordinated help with job readiness and placement, education and credentialing, behavioral and physical health needs, housing stability, family and community connections, and other practical supports that reduce the likelihood of returning to custody.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The solicitation also allows for-profit organizations other than small businesses and other applicants as clarified in the additional eligibility text within the full announcement. This wide eligibility range reflects how reentry work is often implemented through partnerships that can include government agencies, universities and research organizations, nonprofit service providers, and specialized technical assistance providers.
Funding is sizable and competitive. The award ceiling is $3,000,000, with an estimated three awards expected. Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, recipients should typically anticipate substantial federal involvement in the project, such as coordination with BJA, ongoing collaboration, or structured oversight related to deliverables and performance. The opportunity was created on February 26, 2020, with an original application deadline of April 28, 2020, indicating it was a time-bound FY 2020 competition.
Overall, this grant opportunity is designed to accelerate effective reentry practice by spreading proven approaches, improving implementation, and helping jurisdictions and providers deliver higher-quality services to people leaving detention and incarceration. The central outcome focus is reduced recidivism, achieved by strengthening the systems and programs that support individuals as they rebuild stability in the community.Apply for BJA 2020 17240
- The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the education, employment, labor and training, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 20 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program" 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 Feb 26, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2020. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BJA FY 20 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), offered as a cooperative agreement. The program supports training and technical assistance intended to strengthen reentry work nationwide for youth and adults returning from detention or incarceration to their communities.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The purpose is to help jurisdictions and service providers develop, implement, improve, and test reentry strategies that address barriers to successful community reintegration. The overarching goals are to reduce recidivism and improve public safety by strengthening reentry systems and program quality.
How is this opportunity connected to the Second Chance Act (SCA)?
This opportunity is rooted in the Second Chance Act (SCA), which prioritizes practical, evidence-informed reentry efforts. Funding under SCA appropriations supports reentry services and improvements that can be adopted and replicated by state and local governments, tribal governments, and community partners.
Is this grant intended to fund direct services for people returning from incarceration?
A key feature is that it is specifically focused on training and technical assistance rather than direct service delivery alone. The intent is to build capacity by providing guidance, tools, coaching, implementation support, and lessons learned that jurisdictions and providers can use to run stronger reentry programs.
What does “training and technical assistance (TTA)” mean in this context?
In this context, TTA refers to activities that help agencies and organizations improve how they design and operate reentry programs. Examples described in the opportunity include guidance, tools, coaching, implementation support, and capturing lessons learned that can be replicated.
Who is the federal awarding agency?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
Because it is a cooperative agreement, recipients should typically anticipate substantial federal involvement in the project. This may include coordination with BJA, ongoing collaboration, and structured oversight tied to deliverables and performance.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA 2020 17240.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 16.812.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
An estimated three awards are expected.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is described as sizable and competitive, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 and an estimated three awards expected.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The solicitation also allows for-profit organizations other than small businesses and other applicants as clarified in the additional eligibility text within the full announcement.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The solicitation allows for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and it also references “other applicants” as clarified in the additional eligibility text within the full announcement.
What populations are intended to benefit from the work supported by this program?
The program is intended to support reentry work for youth and adults transitioning from detention or incarceration back into their communities.
What kinds of reentry needs or service areas does the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity is categorized across multiple activity areas that often intersect with reentry, including education, employment and training, health, and related human services. This signals an expectation that successful reentry support is multi-disciplinary and coordinated.
What does “multi-disciplinary” reentry support mean according to the opportunity description?
It means reentry success typically requires coordinated help across multiple domains, such as job readiness and placement, education and credentialing, behavioral and physical health needs, housing stability, and family and community connections, along with other practical supports that reduce the likelihood of returning to custody.
How does this program aim to reduce recidivism?
The program’s central outcome focus is reduced recidivism, achieved by strengthening reentry systems and improving the quality and implementation of programs through training and technical assistance that spreads effective approaches and helps jurisdictions deliver higher-quality services.
How is this opportunity connected to other federal reentry efforts?
The work supported under SCA appropriations is connected to the broader federal reentry portfolio, with BJA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) using these funds to support reentry services and improvements that can be adopted by governmental and community partners.
Does OJJDP play a role in this funding area?
Yes. The description notes that BJA and OJJDP use these funds to support reentry services and improvements within the broader federal reentry portfolio.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 26, 2020.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was April 28, 2020.
Is this a time-bound FY 2020 competition?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a time-bound FY 2020 competition, with creation and deadline dates in 2020.
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