DOJ Announces $211M in Federal Funding Opportunities for Reentry Programs, Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment

(Photo Credit: Peter E/Flickr)

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced federal funding opportunities to improve state and local criminal justice systems and outcomes for the people involved in them, with a focus on reentry, crisis response, and behavioral health services.

Application deadlines range from September 24–October 2, 2026 for the following 5 grants:

• BJA FY26 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes
• BJA FY26 Second Chance Act Family-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program
• BJA FY26 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-Based Program
• BJA FY26 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program
• BJA FY26 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative

BJA FY26 Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes

Supports strategies to improve education and vocational programs for adults and youth in prisons and jails that strengthen job readiness, create career pathways, and reduce recidivism.

Anticipated Total Amount to Be Awarded: Approximately $20,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: Category 1: 10; Category 2: 10

Anticipated Award Ceiling: Category 1: Up to $1,000,000; Category 2: Up to $1,000,000

Deadline: Sep. 24 (Grants.gov) / Oct. 1 (JustGrants)

Recommended Pre-reading: Reentry 2030 resources—A national whole-of-government initiative to break incarceration cycles by reducing barriers to basic needs like housing, health care, and jobs.

BJA FY26 Second Chance Act Family-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program

Funds treatment and recovery services for parents with substance use disorders who have minor children or are pregnant while incarcerated or on community supervision.

Anticipated Total Amount to Be Awarded: Category 1: Up to $8,000,000; Category 2: Up to $5,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: Category 1: 8; Category 2: 5

Anticipated Award Ceiling:  Up to $1,000,000

Deadline: Sep. 24 (Grants.gov) / Oct. 1 (JustGrants)

Recommended Pre-reading:

• Relapse Prevention Plans—Practical guidance for implementing relapse prevention plans, including connections to recovery services, to reduce overdose risk at reentry and the likelihood of reincarceration.
• Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Overdose Risk During Reentry—A quick guide that outlines 4 best practices for reentry professionals.

BJA FY26 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-Based Program

Supports programs that respond to overdose deaths and illegal substances, including treatment services in correctional facilities and the community.

Anticipated Total Amount to Be Awarded: Approximately $133,585,276

Anticipated Number of Awards: Category 1a: 24; Category 1b: 26; Category 1c: 13; Category 2: 5; Category 3: 11

Anticipated Award Ceiling: Category 1a: Up to $1,600,000; Category 1b: Up to $1,300,000; Category 1c: Up to $1,000,000; Category 2: Up to $7.000,000; Category 3: Up to $1,000,000

Deadline: Sep. 24 (Grants.gov) / Oct. 1 (JustGrants)

• Relapse Prevention Plans—Practical guidance for implementing relapse prevention plans, including connections to recovery services, to reduce overdose risk at reentry and the likelihood of reincarceration.
• Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Overdose Risk During Reentry—A quick guide that outlines 4 best practices for reentry professionals.

BJA FY26 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program

Supports comprehensive reentry strategies to reduce recidivism and increase successful community reintegration for adults leaving incarceration.

Anticipated Total Amount to Be Awarded: Up to $6,805,353

Anticipated Number of Awards: Up to 7

Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $1,100,000

Deadline: Sep. 24 (Grants.gov) / Oct. 1 (JustGrants)

Recommended Pre-reading: Reentry 2030 resources—A national whole-of-government initiative to break incarceration cycles by reducing barriers to basic needs like housing, health care, and jobs.

BJA FY26 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative

Funds comprehensive approaches to address mental illness and substance use at the intersection of justice and health systems, including crisis stabilization centers, treatment services, housing access, and technology modernization.

Total Amount to Be Awarded: Approximately $38,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: Approximately 13

Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $3,000,000

Deadline: Sep. 25 (Grants.gov) / Oct. 2 (JustGrants)

Recommended Pre-reading:

• Aligning Health and Safety—Practical guidance to help communities align state policymaking and local implementation of behavioral health responses at the intersection of public safety and health systems.
• Justice and Behavioral Health Strategy Lab—Interactive tool with case studies and resources to help communities design and implement effective interventions at the intersection of justice and behavioral health systems.

Interested in partnering with us?

The CSG Justice Center provides data-driven solutions for the most complex justice challenges facing states and communities today. We do this by combining 3 powerful ingredients: trusted data, practical strategies, and deep cross-systems collaboration.

We’ve worked with leaders across all 50 states to develop and implement successful reentry, crisis response, and behavioral health programs that make communities safer and healthier.

To learn about our work and how we can help you, view the following pages and reach out to our staff:

• Redefine Reentry: Contact Nina Salomon at nsalomon@csg.org
• Strengthen Behavioral Health Responses of Courts, Corrections, and Communities: Contact Hallie Fader-Towe at hfader@csg.org