Federal Reentry and Treatment Court Grants
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is accepting applications for community-based reentry, adult treatment courts and veterans treatment courts. First-stage deadlines fall October 29–30, with final JustGrants submissions due November 5–6.
WASHINGTON — Three federal justice grant competitions with a combined anticipated funding level of approximately $82.55 million are approaching their first application deadlines. The opportunities cover community-based reentry services for adults leaving incarceration, substance-use treatment courts, and specialized treatment courts for veterans involved in the justice system.
All three notices were issued by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) on September 21, 2026. The current news development is the approaching October and November application schedule—not a newly enacted appropriation or an announcement of completed awards.
How the funding breaks down
- Second Chance Act Reentry (up to $12.5M): Approximately 13 anticipated grants, with awards up to $1 million, to support transitional services for adults returning from correctional facilities.
- Adult Treatment Courts (~$49.32M): Three funding categories for court planning and implementation, enhancement, and statewide initiatives.
- Veterans Treatment Courts (~$20.73M): Support for developing or strengthening treatment courts serving justice-involved veterans with substance-use disorders and related needs.
Community-based reentry: direct transitional services
The Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program (notice O-BJA-2026-172717) is intended for community-based nonprofit organizations and eligible tribal governments. It supports mentoring and transitional services for adults returning to their communities from correctional facilities who meet the program's specified risk criteria.
Depending on the approved project, activities may address pre-release and post-release transition planning, service coordination, mentoring, employment preparation and other reintegration needs. The notice anticipates a 36-month performance period beginning January 1, 2027. An expected award is not a guarantee of funding, and individual service eligibility will depend on each funded program.
Adult treatment courts: supervision and treatment
The Adult Treatment Court Program (notice O-BJA-2026-172721) targets high-risk, high-need adults with substance-use disorders in the criminal justice system. Treatment courts combine judicial supervision, substance-use treatment, drug testing, case management, incentives and sanctions, and recovery supports.
BJA anticipates approximately $49,322,500 across three categories: planning and implementation, enhancement, and statewide initiatives. Published individual award ceilings are $950,000, $1,025,750, and $2.5 million, respectively. The program requires a 25% nonfederal match based on total project costs; applicants should consult the official NOFO for calculation and allowable match sources.
State, local and tribal government entities are among the eligible applicants, subject to the notice's detailed requirements. The expected award period is 48 months beginning January 1, 2027.
Veterans treatment courts: specialized justice services
The Veterans Treatment Court Program (notice O-BJA-2026-172714) supports planning, implementation and enhancement of judicially supervised courts serving eligible veterans. Program elements can include evidence-based substance-use treatment, recovery support, supervision and related coordination.
Approximately $20.73 million in funding is anticipated. Published category ceilings range from $950,000 to $2.5 million. Unlike the Adult Treatment Court Program, the Veterans Treatment Court opportunity does not require a matching contribution under the reviewed notice.
Application deadlines: two steps, not one
- Veterans Treatment Court: Grants.gov — October 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants — November 5, 2026, 8:59 p.m. Eastern.
- Community-based Reentry: Grants.gov — October 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants — November 6, 2026, 8:59 p.m. Eastern.
- Adult Treatment Court: Grants.gov — October 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants — November 6, 2026, 8:59 p.m. Eastern.
The first submission stage and the complete JustGrants application have distinct deadlines. Organizations should follow the instructions and eligibility provisions in the controlling notice. These dates describe the notices as reviewed October 15 and could change through subsequent official amendments.
What the funding means for reentry and community justice
These three opportunities address different points in the justice-services continuum. Community-based reentry funding focuses on transition from incarceration; adult treatment court funding supports supervised treatment alternatives and responses to substance-use disorders; and veterans treatment court funding addresses a defined justice-involved population.
The aggregate amount should not be interpreted as a single pool that can be used interchangeably. The competitions have separate purposes, eligibility requirements and award processes. Funding notices also do not establish that a particular county, provider, court or participant has received funding.
Official notices and verification
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More OACRA News →Editorial note: OACRA News & Policy Review is independently published by OACRA LLC and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice or BJA. Funding figures are anticipated amounts in published notices, not awards. Information reviewed October 15, 2026.
