BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes

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. • Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, native American tribal organizations, and faith-based organizations. • The award ceiling for this grant is $1,000,000.