Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2025 172588
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering a continuation funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 25 Invited to Apply - Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2025-172588). This notice of funding opportunity supports ongoing work that began under the FY23 launch of BJA's Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces program. The earlier funding helped develop and begin implementing the Safe Inside Initiative, an effort designed to help state departments of corrections improve day-to-day safety and security inside prisons while also working toward reduced recidivism. A central theme of the initiative is addressing the reality that many prison systems are operating under serious workforce strain, which can directly affect safety, programming consistency, staff morale, and facility operations.
The core purpose of this funding is to continue providing state DOCs with highly specialized, hands-on training and technical assistance through the Safe Inside Initiative. The emphasis is practical: helping corrections agencies recruit more effectively, strengthen training approaches, retain qualified staff, and streamline operational practices in response to current workforce trends. In plain terms, the program is meant to support corrections leadership and facility operations in building healthier, more stable institutional climates where staff can do their jobs safely and professionally, and where incarcerated people are managed in environments that are more conducive to rehabilitation and long-term public safety outcomes.
This award will be made as a cooperative agreement, which typically means BJA expects substantial involvement in the project’s direction, coordination, or oversight compared to a standard grant. The funding falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category and is associated with CFDA number 16.812. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and BJA expects to make one award under this solicitation.
Eligibility is extremely limited. This is an invited-to-apply opportunity, meaning only organizations that received an official invitation letter from BJA can apply. BJA states that applications will only be accepted from Keystone Restituere Justice Center, Inc., and no other applicants are eligible under this NOFO. The opportunity’s original closing date is May 6, 2026, and the posting indicates it was created on April 23, 2026.Apply for O BJA 2025 172588
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 25 Invited to Apply- Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces" 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 2026-04-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-06. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "BJA FY 25 Invited to Apply - Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is O-BJA-2025-172588.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Is this a new program or continuation funding?
This is a continuation funding opportunity supporting ongoing work that began under the FY23 launch of BJA's Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces program.
What earlier work does this continuation build on?
The continuation builds on earlier funding that helped develop and begin implementing the Safe Inside Initiative, which focuses on improving day-to-day safety and security inside prisons while also working toward reduced recidivism.
What is the Safe Inside Initiative?
The Safe Inside Initiative is an effort designed to help state departments of corrections improve daily safety and security in prisons while also supporting conditions that can contribute to reduced recidivism.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The main purpose is to continue providing state departments of corrections with highly specialized, hands-on training and technical assistance through the Safe Inside Initiative.
What types of support does the initiative emphasize?
The emphasis is practical and centered on workforce and operations, including helping corrections agencies recruit more effectively, strengthen training approaches, retain qualified staff, and streamline operational practices in response to current workforce trends.
Why is workforce strain highlighted in this opportunity?
The opportunity notes that many prison systems are operating under serious workforce strain, which can directly affect safety, programming consistency, staff morale, and facility operations. The funded work is intended to respond to these real-world constraints.
What outcomes is the program trying to support inside prisons?
The program is meant to help corrections leadership and facility operations build healthier, more stable institutional climates where staff can work safely and professionally, and where incarcerated people are managed in environments more conducive to rehabilitation and long-term public safety outcomes.
What type of award will be used for this funding?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
As described in the opportunity, a cooperative agreement typically means BJA expects substantial involvement in the project’s direction, coordination, or oversight compared to a standard grant.
What is the program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.
What is the associated CFDA number?
The associated CFDA number is 16.812.
What is the maximum amount of funding available?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
How many awards does BJA expect to make under this solicitation?
BJA expects to make one award under this solicitation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is extremely limited. This is an invited-to-apply opportunity, and only organizations that received an official invitation letter from BJA can apply.
Are applications accepted from organizations other than the invitee?
No. BJA states that applications will only be accepted from Keystone Restituere Justice Center, Inc., and no other applicants are eligible under this NOFO.
What does "invited to apply" mean in this context?
It means the opportunity is not open competition. Only an organization that received an official invitation letter from BJA is allowed to submit an application, and the NOFO specifies a single eligible applicant.
Which organization is specifically named as the only eligible applicant?
Keystone Restituere Justice Center, Inc. is the only organization named as eligible to apply under this notice of funding opportunity.
What is the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date is May 6, 2026.
When was this opportunity posted/created?
The posting indicates it was created on April 23, 2026.
Does this funding directly target state departments of corrections?
Yes. The stated purpose is to continue providing state DOCs with specialized, hands-on training and technical assistance through the Safe Inside Initiative.
Is the focus primarily on facilities, staff, or incarcerated individuals?
The focus described in the opportunity is on improving institutional climate and operations by supporting corrections staff and leadership through workforce-related and operational improvements, with the broader goal of safer facilities and conditions that support rehabilitation and public safety outcomes.
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