BJA FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
This program funds states and eligible local governments to cover postconviction case review, evidence location, and DNA testing costs in violent felony cases where testing may demonstrate actual innocence.
RESTRICTED TO: STATE LOCAL GOV
⚑ Eligibility is limited to states and units of local government; public universities are not eligible applicants. · Funds pay for postconviction review, evidence location, and DNA testing in violent felony cases, not research. · Award ceiling is $1,000,000.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 10 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
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.
Eligibility
Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Bureau of Justice Assistance <OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.