FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program
🏛 Bureau of Justice Assistance (USDOJ-OJP-BJA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that investigate and prosecute civil rights crimes. Prosecutors and prosecution agencies are also eligible. The program supports cases involving criminal offenses that occurred no later than December 31, 1979, and resulted in a death.
Eligible jurisdictions include all U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands. Local applicants include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions.
Funded projects must focus on investigating and prosecuting unsolved civil rights homicides from 1979 or earlier.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program. This opportunity supports state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, including prosecution agencies, in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenses involving civil rights that occurred no later than December 31,1979, and resulted in a death.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required)
- Project narrative and case summary
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capability statement
- Letters of support or commitment
- Evidence of agency authority and jurisdiction
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Justice Assistance
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 202-514-9354
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.031 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,365,527
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,075,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$599,976
-
$575,000
-
$575,000
-
$498,933
-
$450,000
Top States by Funding
- WI 1 awards $2.4M
- LA 2 awards $2.0M
- WA 1 awards $1.5M
- OK 1 awards $1.1M
- MD 1 awards $0.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.031). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,400,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies can apply, along with prosecution and prosecutor offices. Eligible areas include all U.S. states and U.S. territories.
What types of cases does this grant fund?
The program supports investigation and prosecution of civil rights crimes that occurred by December 31, 1979, and resulted in a death. These are typically unsolved or cold cases.
What can grant funds support?
Typical uses include investigative costs, prosecution expenses, personnel time, travel, and resources needed to investigate and prosecute eligible civil rights homicides.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for FY 2026 is November 13, 2026. The application portal will open earlier; check the BJA website for exact opening dates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your narrative on a specific unsolved civil rights homicide case that occurred by December 31, 1979. Provide clear investigative and prosecutorial goals.
- Document existing evidence, investigative barriers, and how grant funds will enable case progress. Quantify resources needed for success.
- Demonstrate agency capacity and past experience investigating serious crimes. Include relevant staff expertise and organizational support.
- Attach letters of commitment from leadership showing institutional support for the project. Highlight partnerships with other agencies if applicable.
- Budget carefully and justify each expense category. Law enforcement applications often face scrutiny on personnel and travel costs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lack of specific case focus or vague investigative goals. Applicants must identify a concrete, eligible civil rights homicide, not generic cold case work. Underestimating the case documentation burden. Federal law enforcement grants require extensive evidence summaries, investigation timelines, and prosecutorial assessments. Weak organizational capacity narrative. Reviewers want proof the agency can manage federal funds and execute the project successfully.
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