BJA FY 22 Smart Reentry and Supervision: Grants, Tools, and Technical Assistance to Facilitate Change | O BJA 2022 171302

Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2022 171302

The BJA FY 22 Smart Reentry and Supervision: Grants, Tools, and Technical Assistance to Facilitate Change opportunity is a discretionary Department of Justice program run by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Its core purpose is to help state and local corrections and supervision systems do a better job supporting people who are returning to the community from incarceration or who are being supervised in the community (probation, parole, and related models). The program combines funding with technical assistance so agencies can strengthen day-to-day practices, build internal capacity, and improve outcomes like successful reentry, compliance with supervision conditions, and long-term public safety.

A major theme in the solicitation is OJP's broader policy direction: advancing civil rights and racial equity, increasing access to justice, supporting crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthening community safety, responding to evolving public safety threats, and building trust between law enforcement and communities. In practical terms, applicants are expected to design reentry and supervision approaches that are fair, effective, and evidence-informed, and that address disparities and barriers that often follow justice-involved people back into the community (such as housing instability, unemployment, untreated behavioral health needs, and limited access to supportive services).

This solicitation sits within the FY 2022 Second Chance Act (SCA) "suite" of reentry-related programs. That matters because it signals the program's focus on improving transitions from incarceration to community life and strengthening community supervision strategies, while also aligning with related SCA funding tracks being competed the same year. The broader suite referenced includes community-based reentry programs, initiatives focused on education and employment outcomes, programs aimed at improving substance use disorder treatment outcomes, Pay for Success approaches, and models emphasizing swift, certain, and fair supervision (including HOPE-related training and support). The notice stresses that eligibility varies across the different SCA solicitations, so applicants are expected to confirm they match the specific requirements for this particular opportunity rather than assuming eligibility based on the overall SCA umbrella.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates closer involvement from BJA than a standard formula or block grant. Cooperative agreements often come with more structured coordination, reporting expectations, and participation in training and technical assistance activities. The intent here is not just to provide money, but to actively support implementation through tools, guidance, and hands-on assistance designed to facilitate measurable change in how reentry and supervision are carried out. The overall aim is improved effectiveness of corrections and community supervision agencies, which can include better case planning and service coordination, stronger partnerships with community providers, better use of data to guide decisions, and more consistent application of practices known to reduce recidivism and improve stability.

Eligibility is broad and includes state governments, county governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, tribal organizations (specifically Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, as listed), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The listing also includes an "Others" category with a note to consult the solicitation for clarifications, which usually means there may be additional entity types allowed or specific restrictions depending on the applicant's role and the project design.

Key opportunity details from the source data include the funding opportunity number O-BJA-2022-171302, CFDA number 16.812, and an activity category labeled Humanities (with a reference to Cultural Affairs in CFDA), even though the substance of the program is clearly criminal justice reentry and community supervision capacity-building. The opportunity was created April 28, 2022, and the original closing date was June 8, 2022. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $7,000,000, and BJA expected to make 11 awards under this solicitation, indicating a relatively competitive national program with a limited number of large awards rather than many small ones.

Overall, this grant opportunity is designed for jurisdictions and organizations positioned to influence real operational practice in reentry and supervision. The funding and technical assistance are geared toward improving outcomes for people returning from incarceration or living under supervision, while also advancing equity and trust-building goals that OJP highlights across its portfolio. Applicants would generally be expected to propose a clear strategy for strengthening reentry and supervision practices, demonstrate readiness and partnerships to implement changes, and show how the work will improve success rates and community safety in a measurable way.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 22 Smart Reentry and Supervision: Grants, Tools, and Technical Assistance to Facilitate Change" 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 Apr 28, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2022. (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 $7,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the 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, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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