Program Implementation
The National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to improve criminal justice policy and practice in the United States through educating and training the next generation of justice leaders, supporting and leading research focused on restorative justice and addressing social inequities, and supporting implementation of restorative justice programs.
Funding Goals and Objectives
With this solicitation, the NCORJ seeks to support the development of new restorative justice programs or the expansion of existing restorative justice programs. The goal of the program implementation subaward is to increase access to restorative justice opportunities and services across different points of the criminal legal system continuum. Criminal justice agencies or community-based non-profit organizations are invited to apply for this subaward. This application requires detailed information related to restorative justice program design and the case referral process. Though only one entity will apply, we encourage applicants to work closely with their partner organizations to write a thorough application.
Awardees will receive $250,000 in subaward funding to support restorative justice program implementation. Awardees will also receive a three-day in-person implementation training tailored to their programmatic needs and have monthly check-in calls to review case referrals and support case processes with the Center for Justice Innovation (CJI). Any additional training needs (such as facilitation training) will need to be included in the subaward budget.
Details at a Glance
Apply for Funding Opportunity HERE (Must have a Google Account)
Anticipated Number of Awards: 2
Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards: $250,000
Period of Performance Start Date: April 1, 2025
Period of Performance Duration (Months): 24
Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation: $500,000
Eligible Applicants: criminal justice agencies or community-based non-profit organizations to plan for and establish new restorative justice programs or expand existing restorative justice programs.
Application Due Date: February 14, 2025 by 5pm ET
Recipients Notified: March 5, 2025
Finalists may be invited for an interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: We want funding to go to multiple organizations. Is that possible?
A: Yes, of course! You will need to have one organization apply for the subaward as the primary recipient. That organization will then establish its own subawards with the additional organization(s). In your application, please describe the specific responsibilities of each organization and indicate the amount that will go to subawardee organization(s) under the “Subawards” category in the budget form.
Q: What might data collection “support” from the NCORJ look like? If a site is interested in more specific data and evaluation work, is there support for that?
A: The NCORJ will support subaward sites in crafting and creating a plan for administering a survey to participants that will meet data collection requirements under the subaward. The NCORJ is committed to developing surveys with subaward recipients that meet their needs and can help to meaningfully inform their work. If there is interest from a subaward site in more extensive evaluation support, there is an opportunity to work more closely with the Research branch of the NCORJ.
Q: Does the budget need to be the same for each grant year?
A: No. Your budget should reflect the anticipated needs in each of the two years of the grant period and can be different in each year.
Q: What is considered a restorative justice program?
A: The NCORJ description of restorative justice can be found here: https://ncorj.org/what-is-restorative-justice/. With this RFP we are open to restorative justice programs operating at any point along the criminal legal continuum (diversion, sentencing, reentry, etc.)
Q: We will need to hire expert trainers/facilitators as part of this project. Is that possible? Are there any restrictions?
A: Yes! If the facilitator or expert trainer will be a permanent part of your staff, please add them to the Personnel category in your budget form and indicate the number of hours or percentage of time (% FTE) that will be spent on this project.
Expert trainers and facilitators can also be hired as consultants in hourly roles. The rate must not exceed the max rate from the DOJ Financial Guide ($650 per day or $81.25 per hour). In your budget form, please add this budget line for consultants under the Procurement Contracts category.
Q: How will funds be issued over the two grant years?
A: Funds will be paid by reimbursement. Recipients will submit quarterly or monthly invoices for expenses incurred in the proceeding quarter or month.
Q: How do you define a criminal justice agency?
A: We are defining criminal justice agencies very broadly. It should be an agency that can partner with a restorative justice provider and refer cases, such as a DA, police department, etc.
Q: My question isn’t answered here. Who can I reach out to?
A: Please reach out to contact@ncorj.org with additional questions and a member of our team will be happy to help you.