Through the Visiting Fellows Program, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) invests in future and current leaders in the field to advance national policy issue priorities and offer cross-developmental opportunities for Department of Justice (DOJ) staff and criminal justice practitioners and researchers.

Cooperative agreement awards made under the BJA Visiting Fellows Program fund fellowships for a period of 24 months or 36 months (depending on which category is applied for), including a hybrid remote and in-person “dedicated immersion” period of 9 to 12 months, where the fellow will work closely with BJA staff members and potentially work onsite at BJA in Washington, D.C., on a regular basis.

Fellowship Activities

The purpose of each fellowship is to make important policy and programmatic contributions in a criminal justice focus area. Fellows collaborate with BJA and other DOJ staff members to provide critical outreach, data, research, and subject matter expertise to inform the development of new BJA strategies, policies, and programs to benefit the field.

Fellowship details and focus areas are included in each opportunity solicitation when released. Learn about specific fellows and their areas of focus in the following:

Fellows Featured in Justice Today Podcast Episodes

Enhancing Corrections Spaces and Cultures

The nation's prisons and jails are struggling to recruit and retain staff. These staffing challenges impact re-entry efforts and overall public safety. In the Enhancing Corrections Spaces and Cultures episode of Justice Today, hear from former BJA fellow Dr. Danielle Rudes on how leaders can make correctional institutions better for staff and residents.

Meeting People Where They Are to Improve Institutional Culture

Incarcerated individuals deserve opportunities for healing and growth, but they often lack the necessary resources for such opportunities. Additionally, organizational cultures that don’t support these outcomes often stand in the way. Researchers and practitioners gathered at the National Institute of Justice's 2023 National Research Conference to share ideas and projects that will increase opportunities for incarcerated populations around the country. The Meeting People Where They Are to Improve Institutional Culture episode continues their conversation. 

Angel Sanchez, a BJA fellow, hosts this discussion with three guests: Dr. Stephen J. Tripodi, an associate professor at Florida State University’s College of Social Work and a faculty director at the Institute for Justice Research and Development; Dr. Dan O’Connell, a criminologist at the Center for Drug and Health Studies at the University of Delaware; and Marina Duane, a research fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

Making Second Chances Work: Reentry from Incarceration

During the Making Second Chances Work: Reentry from Incarceration episode of the Justice Today Podcast, hear from Angel Sanchez and John Bae, BJA fellows who not only have studied reentry from incarceration but experienced it themselves.

Second Chance Fellows Fact Sheet

This fact sheet highlights the work and activities of three BJA fellows supporting the Improving Corrections and Reintegration under the Second Chance Act focus area. Learn how John Bae, Stanley Frankart, and Angel Sanchez are making an impact.

Current BJA Fellows