Funding Toolkit » Funding Opportunities » Discretionary Grants » Current » FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes

FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes

Federal Funding Agency:

Bureau of Justice Assistance

Applicant Eligibility:

State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), Other units of local government, Faith-based organizations, Independent school districts, Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses

Due Date:

Grants.gov Deadline September 24, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern
Application JustGrants Deadline October 1, 2026, 8:59 pm Eastern

Funding Amount:

Category 1: Up to $1,000,000
Category 2: Up to $1,000,000

Agency Notice of Funding Opportunity:

This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments and community-based organizations to provide education and employment programs for adults and youth leaving prison and jail. The goal of the program is to improve academic and vocational/trade programs available to adults and youth in prisons and jails and expand workforce development and career pathways that result in improved job readiness, employment attainment, and retention, thereby improving employment prospects and reducing recidivism. Applicants may consider proposing projects that develop marketable skills, leverage technology, and build capacity to align with their local job market and engage in the digital economy.

Solicitation

Additional Notes:

This NOFO includes two categories:
Category 1: Improving Reentry Education Outcomes Category 1 will provide support for prison educational programming and vocational/trade education and training that serve adults or youth currently incarcerated with 2 years or less before release into the community.
Category 2: Improving Reentry Employment Outcomes Category 2 will provide support for employment programs, such as a career pathway system or workforce development network, informed by labor market needs and local demand for employees that serve adults currently incarcerated with 2 years or less before release into the community.

Note: Applicants must commit to ensuring public safety by restricting internet access within incarcerated settings as deemed appropriate by the respective correctional agency.