Opportunity Information: Apply for 20PR08
The Department of Justice, through the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), offered a cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled "Responding to Staff Trauma and Organizational Stress in Prisons and Jail Settings" (Funding Opportunity Number 20PR08). The purpose of the project is to better understand, document, and elevate effective ways correctional agencies can address the psychological toll that prison and jail work can take on staff, particularly in relation to vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and broader job-related stress. Rather than focusing on direct service delivery alone, the opportunity is centered on collecting and synthesizing knowledge so that practical, evidence-informed recommendations can be developed for the field.
At the core of the work is a research and information review phase. The awardee would be expected to access, examine, and summarize both existing and emerging research on staff trauma and organizational stress in prisons, jails, and closely related disciplines. This literature and evidence scan is intended to establish the current state of knowledge: what is already known, where the gaps are, what interventions show promise, and what factors (organizational culture, leadership practices, staffing conditions, exposure to violence, administrative pressures, shift work, etc.) tend to worsen or reduce harm. This background work is meant to do more than compile citations; it is supposed to shape the questions and priorities for the next stage of field-informed inquiry.
Building on that foundation, the opportunity anticipates qualitative and/or quantitative information gathering with practitioners and agencies, using interviews, focus groups, surveys, polling, or similar approaches. The intent is to capture real-world correctional experience and identify strategies that are already working in practice. In other words, the project is designed to surface successful, on-the-ground approaches being used by prisons and jails to prevent, mitigate, or respond to staff trauma and chronic stress. This could include formal programs (peer support models, employee assistance enhancements, critical incident stress responses, wellness initiatives, supervisor training, trauma-informed leadership practices) as well as operational policies and cultural practices that improve staff well-being and resilience.
The end goal is to translate what is learned into recommendations about effective approaches that could be replicated or adapted by other agencies. NIC signals an expectation that the project will not only identify promising strategies, but also package them in a way that makes them usable by corrections leaders and practitioners across different jurisdictions. The deliverables implied by the description are therefore likely to include a synthesized understanding of the research landscape, a summary of field input from staff and leadership, and a set of practical recommendations or guidance grounded in both evidence and correctional realities.
From an administrative standpoint, this was categorized as an "Other" opportunity under a cooperative agreement funding instrument, meaning the project would be carried out with substantial involvement from NIC compared to a standard grant. The CFDA number listed is 16.602. The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $175,000. The funding notice was created on July 14, 2020, and the original closing date was August 28, 2020. Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation, which typically indicates NIC may allow applications from certain organizations beyond the usual state/local government categories (often including nonprofits, universities, or other qualified entities, depending on the specific notice).
In practical terms, the opportunity is about helping the corrections field move from recognizing staff trauma as a serious operational and human issue to identifying and spreading approaches that actually help. By combining research review with direct input from prisons and jails, NIC aimed to produce recommendations that are both credible and implementable, increasing the chances that effective models for supporting correctional staff can be adopted more widely.Apply for 20PR08
- The Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Responding to Staff Trauma and Organizational Stress in Prisons and Jail Settings" 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 Jul 14, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 28, 2020. (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 $175,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official title of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Responding to Staff Trauma and Organizational Stress in Prisons and Jail Settings."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 20PR08.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
What type of funding instrument is being used?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
It means the project is expected to be carried out with substantial involvement from NIC compared to a standard grant. In practice, NIC may play an active role during the project as it is implemented.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The notice categorizes this as an "Other" opportunity.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 16.602.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to better understand, document, and elevate effective ways correctional agencies can address the psychological toll prison and jail work can take on staff, especially related to vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and broader job-related stress.
Is this opportunity mainly about providing direct services to staff?
Not primarily. The opportunity is centered on collecting and synthesizing knowledge so that practical, evidence-informed recommendations can be developed for the field, rather than focusing on direct service delivery alone.
What topics related to staff well-being does the project focus on?
The description highlights vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and broader job-related stress among prison and jail staff.
What are the core project activities described in the notice?
The core activities include (1) a research and information review phase to access, examine, and summarize existing and emerging research, and (2) qualitative and/or quantitative information gathering with practitioners and agencies to capture real-world correctional experience and identify strategies that are working in practice.
What is expected during the research and information review phase?
The awardee is expected to access, examine, and summarize both existing and emerging research on staff trauma and organizational stress in prisons, jails, and closely related disciplines. The goal is to establish the current state of knowledge, identify gaps, and note what interventions show promise.
What kinds of factors does the research review look at?
The notice points to factors such as organizational culture, leadership practices, staffing conditions, exposure to violence, administrative pressures, and shift work, including how these may worsen or reduce harm.
Is the literature review meant to be just a list of citations?
No. The description emphasizes that the background work should do more than compile citations. It should help shape questions and priorities for the next stage of field-informed inquiry.
What kinds of information-gathering methods are anticipated for field input?
The notice anticipates qualitative and/or quantitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, surveys, polling, or similar approaches with practitioners and agencies.
What is the intent of gathering information directly from prisons and jails?
The intent is to capture real-world correctional experience and identify on-the-ground strategies that are already working to prevent, mitigate, or respond to staff trauma and chronic stress.
What kinds of strategies might be identified through this project?
The description gives examples including peer support models, employee assistance enhancements, critical incident stress responses, wellness initiatives, supervisor training, and trauma-informed leadership practices, as well as operational policies and cultural practices that improve staff well-being and resilience.
What is the end goal of the project?
The end goal is to translate what is learned into recommendations about effective approaches that could be replicated or adapted by other agencies.
What does NIC expect in terms of making results usable?
NIC signals an expectation that the project will not only identify promising strategies, but also package them in a way that makes them usable by corrections leaders and practitioners across different jurisdictions.
What deliverables are implied by the description?
The description implies deliverables such as a synthesized understanding of the research landscape, a summary of field input from staff and leadership, and practical recommendations or guidance grounded in both evidence and correctional realities.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $175,000.
When was the funding notice created?
The notice was created on July 14, 2020.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was August 28, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation. The description notes this typically indicates NIC may allow applications from certain organizations beyond the usual state/local government categories (often including nonprofits, universities, or other qualified entities, depending on the specific notice).
Does the opportunity specify exactly which organizations qualify under "Others"?
No. The summary indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full solicitation, and the exact eligible applicant types are not listed in the information provided here.
What kinds of settings does this project focus on?
The project focuses on prison and jail settings, with attention to closely related disciplines where relevant to staff trauma and organizational stress.
How does this opportunity aim to help the corrections field overall?
It is designed to help the field move from recognizing staff trauma as a serious operational and human issue to identifying and spreading approaches that actually help, by combining research review with direct input from prisons and jails and producing recommendations that are both credible and implementable.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Open Startup Morocco - FY20
Previous opportunity: BJA FY 20 Law Enforcement Training & Technical Assistance Response Center
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 20PR08
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (20PR08) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Improving Fiscal Transparency of Mining Royalties in the DRC Apply for DRC FTIF FY20 02 Funding Number: DRC FTIF FY20 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $294,000 |
| CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP CONCEPT PAPERS FOR RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC FREEDOM AND INCLUSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Apply for 7200AA20APS00016 Funding Number: 7200AA20APS00016 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Strengthening Community Resilience and Learning in Cote d'Ivoire's Border Areas to Counter Violent Extremism/Resilience for Peace Apply for 72062420RFA00002 Funding Number: 72062420RFA00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Ghana USAID-Accra Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $19,500,000 |
| Virtual Civic Engagement to Strengthen Democracy in Africa Apply for AF ARS FY20 02 Funding Number: AF ARS FY20 02 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Helping Protect Armenians’ Rights Together Apply for FOA ILAB 20 03 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 20 03 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Preparing to Promote Defections from the ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda Apply for SFOP0007207 Funding Number: SFOP0007207 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $799,875 |
| Tenth Anniversary of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI 10) Livestream Event & Summit Apply for AF PDPA FY20 03 Funding Number: AF PDPA FY20 03 Agency: Department of State, Africa Regional Services Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| NIC Jail-Related Publications Revision Apply for 20JD06 Funding Number: 20JD06 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building Society-Based Solutions in Ukraine: Youth IDP Local Conflict Resolution and Integration Apply for SFOP0007219 Funding Number: SFOP0007219 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,975,000 |
| PGO Request for Statements of Interest: Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for PGO MRT FY2019 02 Funding Number: PGO MRT FY2019 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mauritania Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY 2021 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program Apply for SFOP0007221 Funding Number: SFOP0007221 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $6,050,000 |
| Supply Chains Tracing Project Apply for FOA ILAB 20 04 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 20 04 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| AfrIdea: A Regional Idea-a-thon for Post-COVID Progress Apply for AF ARS FY20 05 Funding Number: AF ARS FY20 05 Agency: Department of State, Africa Regional Services Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| COVID-19's Broadscale Impact on the Lives of People with Disabilities Apply for NCD 20 05 Funding Number: NCD 20 05 Agency: National Council on Disability Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| FY 2020 Regional Journalism Workshops in Africa Program Apply for AF ARS FY20 04 Funding Number: AF ARS FY20 04 Agency: Department of State, Africa Regional Services Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| COVID-19's Broadscale Impact on the Lives of People with Disabilities Apply for NCD 20 04 Funding Number: NCD 20 04 Agency: National Council on Disability Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Mobile Bus (Nile Explorer 2.0) Program Operation Apply for AFKAM 20 01 Funding Number: AFKAM 20 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $108,000 |
| Countering Hostile State Influences Apply for DOS LONDON PD 2020 CA0040 Funding Number: DOS LONDON PD 2020 CA0040 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Water Resources Hydrology & Hydraulic Studies, TX Apply for W9126G 20 2 SOI 4993 Funding Number: W9126G 20 2 SOI 4993 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Preserve and Present the Thomas Cole House Apply for NPS 20 REG1 0015 Funding Number: NPS 20 REG1 0015 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $158,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "20PR08", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.