Opportunity Information: Apply for 26PR05
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering a cooperative agreement called Advancing Behavioral Health in Corrections: Training and Policy Innovation Initiative to address persistent weaknesses in behavioral health care across jails and prisons. NIC is responding to a growing reality in corrections: many facilities are managing increasingly complex mental health and substance use needs among incarcerated people, while the systems meant to respond are often fragmented. The opportunity is built around the idea that gaps in services, inconsistent or outdated institutional policies, and uneven staff training do not just harm people in custody, they also contribute to staff stress, burnout, and broader operational instability inside facilities.
The funded project is designed as a comprehensive improvement initiative rather than a single training product. NIC expects the awardee to conduct an in-depth gap analysis of current behavioral health services in correctional environments, identifying where programming, access, continuity of care, referral processes, or staffing models fall short. Alongside that, the project includes a rigorous review of relevant correctional policies to check whether they align with national standards and evidence-based approaches. A major component is stakeholder engagement, meaning the applicant should actively bring corrections practitioners and behavioral health experts into the process so the final recommendations and tools reflect real operational conditions and practical constraints, not just theory.
A central deliverable of the initiative is the development of a behavioral health training e-course for correctional staff. The course is expected to be practical and grounded in evidence-based best practices commonly recognized in modern behavioral health and justice settings. NIC specifically highlights trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral techniques, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders, and crisis intervention strategies as key content areas. The intent is to give staff accessible skills they can apply in day-to-day interactions, strengthen professional development, support staff wellness, and ultimately improve safety and stability within correctional facilities by reducing preventable crises and improving responses when crises occur.
Eligibility is broad but clearly defined. NIC invites applications from nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community-based, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit entities), and institutions of higher education (including tribal colleges and universities). A key condition is that any recipient, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services under the award. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations are not eligible. Applicants must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status (when applicable) or an authorizing tribal resolution.
NIC also allows collaborative applications involving two or more entities, but it requires a single eligible lead applicant to take full responsibility for administering the funds and managing the entire project, with partners proposed as subrecipients. Only one application per submitting organization will be accepted. NIC notes that it may make awards from this solicitation in future fiscal years depending on application quality and the availability of appropriations, which signals that strong proposals could remain relevant beyond the initial cycle.
Key funding details include an opportunity number of 26PR05, a CFDA listing of 16.602, and a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $150,000. NIC anticipates making one award. The application closing date is July 31, 2026, and the opportunity was created on June 16, 2026. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means NIC expects active involvement during the project (for example, coordination, feedback, and shared planning) rather than a fully hands-off grant relationship.Apply for 26PR05
- The National Institute of Corrections in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Behavioral Health in Corrections: Training and Policy Innovation Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.602.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-31. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant/cooperative agreement opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Advancing Behavioral Health in Corrections: Training and Policy Innovation Initiative, offered by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
What problem is NIC trying to address with this opportunity?
NIC is aiming to address persistent weaknesses in behavioral health care across jails and prisons. The opportunity responds to the growing reality that many correctional facilities are managing increasingly complex mental health and substance use needs, while services can be fragmented. NIC also highlights that service gaps, inconsistent or outdated policies, and uneven staff training can harm people in custody and contribute to staff stress, burnout, and operational instability.
What type of funding instrument is this?
This is a cooperative agreement, not a traditional hands-off grant. NIC indicates it expects active involvement during the project, such as coordination, feedback, and shared planning.
What is the overall scope of the funded project?
The project is described as a comprehensive improvement initiative, rather than a single training product. It includes (1) an in-depth gap analysis of behavioral health services in correctional environments, (2) a rigorous review of relevant correctional policies for alignment with national standards and evidence-based approaches, (3) stakeholder engagement with corrections practitioners and behavioral health experts, and (4) development of a behavioral health training e-course for correctional staff.
What does NIC mean by an "in-depth gap analysis" in this project?
NIC expects the awardee to analyze current behavioral health services in correctional settings and identify where key areas fall short. Examples mentioned include gaps in programming, access, continuity of care, referral processes, and staffing models.
What policy work is expected under this initiative?
The project includes a rigorous review of relevant correctional policies to determine whether they align with national standards and evidence-based approaches.
Is stakeholder engagement required?
Yes. NIC expects active stakeholder engagement, specifically bringing corrections practitioners and behavioral health experts into the process so recommendations and tools reflect real operational conditions and practical constraints.
What is the major deliverable mentioned in the opportunity?
A central deliverable is the development of a behavioral health training e-course for correctional staff.
What topics should the e-course cover?
NIC specifically highlights the following content areas as key topics for the course:
- Trauma-informed care
- Cognitive-behavioral techniques
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders
- Crisis intervention strategies
The course is expected to be practical, accessible, and grounded in evidence-based best practices commonly recognized in modern behavioral health and justice settings.
Who is the training intended for?
The training e-course is intended for correctional staff.
What outcomes is NIC hoping the e-course will support?
NIC describes the intent as building staff skills that can be applied in day-to-day interactions, strengthening professional development, supporting staff wellness, and improving safety and stability inside correctional facilities by reducing preventable crises and improving responses when crises occur.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad but defined. NIC invites applications from:
- Nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community-based, and tribal organizations)
- For-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit entities)
- Institutions of higher education (including tribal colleges and universities)
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including tribal for-profit entities, are eligible. However, a key condition is that any recipient (including for-profits) must agree to waive any profit or fee for services under the award.
Are foreign or international entities eligible?
No. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations are not eligible.
What documentation is required to demonstrate eligibility?
Applicants must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status (when applicable) or an authorizing tribal resolution.
Can multiple organizations apply together as a collaboration?
Yes. NIC allows collaborative applications involving two or more entities, but it requires a single eligible lead applicant to take full responsibility for administering funds and managing the entire project. Other entities should be proposed as subrecipients.
How many applications can one organization submit?
Only one application per submitting organization will be accepted.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum (ceiling) award amount is $150,000.
How many awards does NIC expect to make?
NIC anticipates making one award.
What is the application deadline?
The application closing date is July 31, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 16, 2026.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is 26PR05.
What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The CFDA listing is 16.602.
Could NIC make awards from this solicitation in future fiscal years?
NIC notes it may make awards from this solicitation in future fiscal years depending on application quality and the availability of appropriations. This suggests strong proposals could remain relevant beyond the initial cycle.
Does NIC describe why this work matters for correctional operations, not just health services?
Yes. NIC links behavioral health service and training gaps to broader facility operations, noting that weaknesses in care, policies, and training can contribute to staff stress and burnout and can create instability inside facilities.
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