Opportunity Information: Apply for 26PR10
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering a cooperative agreement under the opportunity titled "Risk Assessment: Conducting Prison Security Audits" (Funding Opportunity Number 26PR10, CFDA 16.601). The purpose is to support a structured prison security audit program that helps correctional agencies identify vulnerabilities before they turn into serious incidents. The audits are meant to be systematic and policy-driven, looking closely at day-to-day operations and the broader safety framework inside prisons. The need for this work is tied to the high-risk realities of secure facilities, including escapes, violence, contraband, major disturbances, and other threats that can harm staff, incarcerated people, and the public.
The core activity described is NIC's 36-hour prison security audit training program, designed to be hands-on and grounded in real facility conditions rather than purely classroom-based learning. The training follows a defined sequence: an initial in-brief with agency and facility leadership, one full day of in-person classroom instruction, three and a half days of on-site prison audit work, and a half-day executive close-out. Participants work in teams deployed to designated prisons, with an emphasis on a nonjudgmental approach that focuses on identifying risks and operational gaps rather than blaming individuals. After the audit work concludes, the program culminates in a full written report of findings, which agencies can use to plan corrective actions and remediation strategies.
NIC is open about who can apply, but eligibility is limited to certain types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, 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 award recipients, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services, meaning the project must be delivered on a cost-reimbursement basis without built-in profit. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations or institutions are not eligible. Nonprofits must be able to provide proof of 501(c)(3) status through the IRS, or equivalent authorization through an official tribal resolution where applicable.
The solicitation allows collaboration, including applications that involve two or more entities, but it sets a clear structure: one eligible organization must serve as the primary applicant and take full responsibility for administering the funds and managing the overall program, while any partners should be listed as subrecipients. Only one application may be submitted per organization, so applicants need to consolidate internal teams or partner plans into a single proposal rather than submitting competing applications from the same entity. NIC also notes that it may choose to make awards in future fiscal years from applications submitted under this solicitation, but any future award decisions depend on the quality of applications and the availability of federal appropriations.
In terms of funding, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $175,000 and anticipates making one award. The original closing date is July 20, 2026, and the opportunity was created on June 5, 2026. Overall, this grant is aimed at strengthening prison security and emergency readiness by funding an applied training-and-audit model that produces actionable findings and helps agencies reduce preventable risks through better auditing practices, improved procedures, and targeted corrective planning.Apply for 26PR10
- The National Institute of Corrections in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Risk Assessment: Conducting Prison Security Audits" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.601.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-20. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Risk Assessment: Conducting Prison Security Audits".
What agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
What type of federal funding instrument is this?
This opportunity is a cooperative agreement.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 26PR10 and the CFDA number is 16.601.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to support a structured prison security audit program that helps correctional agencies identify vulnerabilities before they become serious incidents. The audits are intended to be systematic and policy-driven, examining both day-to-day operations and the broader safety framework inside prisons.
Why is NIC funding prison security audits?
NIC ties the need for this work to the high-risk realities of secure facilities, including threats such as escapes, violence, contraband, major disturbances, and other risks that can harm staff, incarcerated people, and the public.
What is the core activity described in the solicitation?
The core activity is NIC's 36-hour prison security audit training program, which is designed to be hands-on and grounded in real facility conditions rather than being purely classroom-based.
How is the 36-hour training and audit program structured?
The program follows a defined sequence: (1) an initial in-brief with agency and facility leadership, (2) one full day of in-person classroom instruction, (3) three and a half days of on-site prison audit work, and (4) a half-day executive close-out.
Is the program primarily classroom-based or field-based?
It is designed to be hands-on and grounded in real facility conditions, with substantial time devoted to on-site audit work rather than only classroom learning.
Who participates in the on-site audit work?
Participants work in teams deployed to designated prisons as part of the on-site audit component.
What approach does the audit program use when reviewing facilities?
The program emphasizes a nonjudgmental approach focused on identifying risks and operational gaps rather than blaming individuals.
What deliverable is produced at the end of the audit work?
The program culminates in a full written report of findings.
How can agencies use the written report?
Agencies can use the report to plan corrective actions and develop remediation strategies based on the findings.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to certain types of U.S.-based organizations, including: nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit entities), and institutions of higher education (including tribal colleges and universities).
Are foreign governments or international organizations eligible?
No. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations or institutions are not eligible.
Are nonprofits required to provide documentation of their status?
Yes. Nonprofits must be able to provide proof of 501(c)(3) status through the IRS, or an equivalent authorization through an official tribal resolution where applicable.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes, for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit entities) are eligible, but there is an important condition related to profit and fees (see the cost-reimbursement question below).
Is profit or a fee for service allowed under this award?
No. Award recipients, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services. The project must be delivered on a cost-reimbursement basis without built-in profit.
Can two or more entities apply together?
Yes. The solicitation allows applications that involve two or more entities, as long as the submission follows the required applicant/subrecipient structure.
How should partnerships be structured in the application?
One eligible organization must serve as the primary applicant and take full responsibility for administering funds and managing the overall program. Any partners should be listed as subrecipients.
How many applications can one organization submit?
Only one application may be submitted per organization. Organizations should consolidate internal teams or partner plans into a single proposal rather than submitting competing applications.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $175,000.
How many awards does NIC anticipate making?
NIC anticipates making one award.
What is the closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date is July 20, 2026.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 5, 2026.
Can NIC make additional awards in future fiscal years using this solicitation?
NIC notes it may choose to make awards in future fiscal years from applications submitted under this solicitation, but any future award decisions depend on the quality of applications and the availability of federal appropriations.
What outcomes is this funding intended to support?
The grant is aimed at strengthening prison security and emergency readiness by funding an applied training-and-audit model that produces actionable findings and helps agencies reduce preventable risks through better auditing practices, improved procedures, and targeted corrective planning.
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