Opportunity Information: Apply for 20JD03
The Public Information Officers and Communication Directors Master Trainer Course grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 20JD03) is a Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections (NIC) initiative designed to strengthen how correctional agencies communicate with the public, the media, and internal stakeholders. The central idea is that public understanding of corrections is often incomplete, and that gap can shape everything from public safety perceptions to budgets, elections, and leadership decisions. NIC is positioning this effort around the practical reality that when agencies do not communicate clearly and consistently, misinformation and myths tend to fill the space, making it harder for an agency to manage outcomes during both routine operations and crises.
The opportunity focuses on improving the capacity of Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Communication Directors to run intentional, proactive communication strategies rather than only reacting when something goes wrong. The description emphasizes that many agencies engage the media mainly during critical incidents, which means they miss steady chances to explain their mission, highlight constructive work, share positive outcomes, and build credibility before a crisis hits. A key theme is that effective correctional organizations treat communication as an ongoing leadership function grounded in transparency, consistency, and clarity, with goals that guide messaging inside the organization and outward to the community.
A major purpose of the project is to support communication staff in taking control of the agency narrative, building productive media relationships, humanizing the corrections profession, and increasing meaningful community engagement. The language of the solicitation suggests the training is meant to be adaptable across a wide range of correctional environments, acknowledging that the field is diverse: federal and state departments of corrections and large jail systems often have dedicated full-time PIO or communications staff, while small and medium local jails may assign these responsibilities as a collateral duty to someone whose primary job is something else. With more than 3,200 local jails, 50 state DOCs, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, NIC highlights that agencies vary widely in culture, mission, resources, and staff experience, so participant skill levels and organizational needs will differ significantly.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a cooperative agreement in the “Other” opportunity category and funding activity category (with further clarification referenced in the full solicitation). It falls under CFDA 16.601, was created May 5, 2020, and originally closed July 6, 2020. NIC anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of $210,000. Eligibility is listed as “Others,” with the expectation that applicants consult the additional eligibility details in the full notice to confirm qualification.Apply for 20JD03
- 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 "Public Information Officers and Communication Directors Master Trainer Course" 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 May 05, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 06, 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 $210,000.00 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the “Public Information Officers and Communication Directors Master Trainer Course” grant opportunity?
It is a Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Corrections (NIC) initiative intended to strengthen how correctional agencies communicate with the public, the media, and internal stakeholders by building the capacity of Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Communication Directors through a master trainer course approach.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 20JD03.
3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
4) What problem is NIC trying to address with this grant?
NIC is addressing the reality that public understanding of corrections is often incomplete, and that communication gaps can influence public safety perceptions, budgets, elections, and leadership decisions. The opportunity highlights that when agencies do not communicate clearly and consistently, misinformation and myths can fill the void, making routine operations and crisis management more difficult.
5) What is the main goal of the project described in the opportunity?
The main goal is to improve the capacity of PIOs and Communication Directors to implement intentional, proactive communication strategies rather than relying primarily on reactive communications during critical incidents.
6) Why does the opportunity emphasize proactive communication instead of mainly responding to crises?
The description notes that many agencies engage the media mainly during critical incidents, which can mean missed opportunities to explain their mission, highlight constructive work, share positive outcomes, and build credibility before a crisis occurs.
7) What themes or communication principles does NIC emphasize?
The opportunity emphasizes communication as an ongoing leadership function grounded in transparency, consistency, and clarity, with goals that guide messaging both inside the organization and outward to the community.
8) What outcomes does NIC want this effort to support for correctional agencies?
The solicitation language indicates the project is intended to help communication staff take control of the agency narrative, build productive media relationships, humanize the corrections profession, and increase meaningful community engagement.
9) Who is this training intended to benefit?
The focus is on Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Communication Directors within correctional agencies, including settings where those responsibilities are assigned as a full-time role or as a collateral duty.
10) What types of correctional agencies are referenced as part of the target environment?
The opportunity acknowledges a wide range of correctional environments, including federal and state departments of corrections (DOCs), large jail systems, and small and medium local jails.
11) How does NIC describe differences in communication staffing across agencies?
NIC notes that federal and state DOCs and large jail systems often have dedicated full-time PIO or communications staff, while small and medium local jails may assign communication responsibilities as a collateral duty to someone whose primary job is something else.
12) Why does the opportunity stress adaptability of the training?
Because the correctional field is diverse in culture, mission, resources, and staff experience, NIC expects participant skill levels and organizational needs to differ significantly and indicates the training should be adaptable across that range.
13) What scale of the corrections landscape is cited in the opportunity?
NIC references more than 3,200 local jails, 50 state departments of corrections, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to illustrate the breadth and diversity of the field.
14) What type of award is this?
This opportunity is a cooperative agreement.
15) What is the opportunity category and activity category?
It is listed in the “Other” opportunity category and “Other” funding activity category, with further clarification referenced in the full solicitation.
16) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 16.601.
17) When was this funding opportunity created?
It was created on May 5, 2020.
18) What was the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date was July 6, 2020.
19) How many awards did NIC anticipate making?
NIC anticipated making one award.
20) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $210,000.
21) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as “Others.” The opportunity indicates applicants should consult additional eligibility details in the full notice to confirm whether they qualify.
22) Does the opportunity say anything about why communication matters beyond media coverage?
Yes. The description links communication effectiveness to broader impacts such as public safety perceptions, budgets, elections, and leadership decisions, and emphasizes that consistent communication helps prevent misinformation from shaping outcomes.
23) Is the opportunity focused only on external communication?
No. The opportunity explicitly mentions communication with the public, the media, and internal stakeholders, and describes goals that guide messaging inside the organization as well as outward to the community.
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