Enhancing Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils Through Specialized Technical Assistance and Coaching | 25CS09

Opportunity Information: Apply for 25CS09

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity titled "Enhancing Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils Through Specialized Technical Assistance and Coaching" (Funding Opportunity Number 25CS09). The focus is on supporting jurisdictions that are trying to create, strengthen, or better leverage Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) as a way to improve how local justice systems function. NIC points to a clear national trend: more communities want CJCCs that do more than simply convene meetings, and instead use data, shared decision-making, and cross-agency coordination to solve persistent system problems.

At the core of the opportunity is the idea that well-designed CJCCs can be a practical engine for systemwide improvement. NIC describes CJCCs as powerful entities when fully leveraged because they bring together multiple criminal justice and community stakeholders and use data-driven insights to identify problems, align goals, and track outcomes. In particular, NIC highlights two major impact areas where CJCCs can make a measurable difference: managing jail populations more effectively and strengthening reentry efforts. The opportunity is framed around helping local councils move toward NIC-identified best practices, with specialized technical assistance and coaching intended to improve operational efficiency, collaboration, and outcomes for people moving through the justice system.

NIC is seeking applications from a range of eligible U.S.-based organizations: nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit organizations), and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education). A key condition is that recipients, including for-profit entities, must agree to waive any profit or service fee, meaning funds are intended to directly support the project work rather than generate profit. Foreign governments, international organizations, and international nongovernmental organizations or institutions are not eligible.

Applicants must be able to document their organizational eligibility. For nonprofits, NIC requires proof of 501(c)(3) status as determined by the IRS. For tribal entities, an authorizing tribal resolution can serve as the required proof. NIC also allows collaborative applications that involve two or more entities, but the structure has to be clear: one eligible organization must apply as the lead applicant and take primary responsibility for administering the award and managing the full program, while any partner organizations must be proposed as subrecipients.

This opportunity will result in a single award. The expected number of awards is 1, and the award ceiling is $80,000. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates a closer working relationship with the funding agency during the project compared to a standard grant, often involving ongoing coordination, guidance, or substantial involvement from NIC. The program is listed under CFDA 16.603. The opportunity was created on 2024-08-16, and the original application closing date is 2024-10-15. Finally, NIC limits submissions to one application per submitting organization, so organizations need to ensure they coordinate internally and submit only one consolidated proposal.

• The National Institute of Corrections in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils Through Specialized Technical Assistance and Coaching" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.603.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-08-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-15. (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 $80,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 25CS09

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