FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for states and local governments pursuing postconviction DNA testing in violent felony cases.
Eligible applicants include states, units of local government (cities, towns, counties, parishes), and related criminal justice entities. Applicants must have existing or proposed postconviction review programs.
Funding supports evidence location, DNA testing costs, and case review activities. Projects must demonstrate potential to exonerate individuals or identify actual innocence in violent felony cases as defined by state law.
All projects must comply with relevant DNA testing statutes and protocols established by each state.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence program. This opportunity will assist states and units of local government in defraying the costs associated with postconviction case review, evidence location, and DNA testing in violent felony cases (as defined by state law) where the results of such testing might show actual innocence.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing case review methodology
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support from relevant agencies
- Proof of tax-exempt status (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 16.820 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.820). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $17,535,733 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
States and local government units including cities, counties, towns, and parishes. Private nonprofits and other organizations are not eligible.
What activities does this funding support?
Postconviction case review, DNA evidence location, and DNA testing costs in violent felony cases. Projects must focus on cases where DNA testing could demonstrate actual innocence.
Is there a deadline for applications?
Yes. The deadline is December 8, 2026. Check BJA's website for any updates or rolling deadlines.
How much funding is typically available per award?
Award amounts are not specified in the NOFO. Contact BJA directly for information about typical grant ranges and number of awards.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications demonstrate systematic case review processes, clear potential for exoneration, and compliance with state DNA testing protocols.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a strong case identification process. Document how your office will systematically identify eligible postconviction cases.
- Show clear evidence management protocols. Explain how you'll locate and preserve DNA evidence from potentially decades-old cases.
- Align with state law definitions. Ensure your violent felony definition and procedures match your state's statutes exactly.
- Build partnerships early. Involve public defenders, innocence projects, or law enforcement to strengthen your application.
- Plan for staffing and training. Include costs for personnel who understand DNA procedures and postconviction legal standards.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without established postconviction review procedures. Proposing DNA testing in case categories not eligible under state law. Underestimating evidence location costs or failing to show sustainable case review processes.
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