PKG00294263.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 02/28/2027

BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till

Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2026-172773

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: November 13 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: November 20, 2026, by 8:59 p.m. ET https://Grants.gov

BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program

Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

6. Application Review Information

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements & Administration

9. Questions?

Appendix 1

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 2

1. BASIC INFORMATION

Purpose of the Funding

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is committed to advancing work that furthers the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) mission to keep our country safe and secure and uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of American citizens. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

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.

Funds support the following:

• Case Assessment and Feasibility Projects: Systematic review of potential cases, preliminary investigation, and feasibility determination for full investigation.

• Active Investigation and Resolution Projects: Full investigation with advanced forensic testing, witness location/interviews, and prosecution preparation or comprehensive documentation.

Applicants should review the Forensic Appendix for definitions and additional program specific information that will inform their application and grant activities if awarded.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.031

Statutory Authority Pub. L. No. 110-344, Sec. 5 (codified at 28 U.S.C. 509 Note)

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172773

Expected Total Amount of Funding Approximately $2,613,440

Anticipated Number of Awards 4

Award Type(s) Grants

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $645,000

Expected Award Period(s) 36 months starting on January 1, 2027

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 3 https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy26-till-appendix.pdf https://bja.ojp.gov/program/emmett-till-cold-case-investigations-and-prosecution-program/overview https://bja.ojp.gov/program/emmett-till-cold-case-investigations-and-prosecution-program/overview

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date September 29, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process immediately and no later than October 7, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on November 13, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on November 20, 2026

See Questions? at the end of this NOFO for agency contact information.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Other

• State Law Enforcement

• Local Law Enforcement

• Tribal Law Enforcement

• Local Prosecutors

“Other” Entities Definitions:

• State: For the purposes of this NOFO, “state” means any state of the United

States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern

Mariana Islands.

• Local: For the purposes of this NOFO, “local” includes towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement: This NOFO does not require cost sharing (match).

Limit on Number of Applications: You may submit more than one application if each application proposes a different project.

Additional Eligibility Factors

Certifications: You must submit the following certification. See Additional Application Components for how to submit.

Certification Required (state or local government applicants): To request a federal grant award under this program, an applicant that is a state or local government entity must submit a certification (using only the template provided in Appendix 1 entitled “Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official)) of the Applicant Government.” Tribal government entities and educational organizations (e.g., public or

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 4 state-controlled institutions of higher education) are not required to submit this certification. This certification is a basic minimum requirement of this funding opportunity, such that applications from applicants that are required to submit it and fail to do so will be denied.

Also, such applicants should anticipate that awards to state or local government entities under this NOFO will include an award condition addressing compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373.

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 110-344, Sec. 5 (codified at 28 U.S.C. 509 Note)

Agency Funding Priorities

To help meet its mission, OJP may give priority consideration to applications proposing (as applicable within the scope of this NOFO) projects designed to advance the goals listed below:

(a) Directly supporting law enforcement operations (including immigration law enforcement operations);

(b) Combatting violent crime;

(c) Supporting services to American citizens;

(d) Protecting American children; and

(e) Supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.

(f) State/local law enforcement efforts that are coordinated with federal law enforcement efforts (including immigration law enforcement efforts)—at minimum as shown by—

(1) compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which provides that state and local government entities may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, receiving from, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other federal, state or local government entity; and

(2) having in place a statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, or practice that is designed to ensure both (A) that agents of the United States acting under color of federal law in fact are given access to any pertinent correctional facility for the purpose of permitting such agents to meet with individuals who are (or are believed by such agents to be) aliens and to inquire as to such individuals’ right to be or remain in the United States; and (B) that, when any such facility receives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security a

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 5 formal written request authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act that seeks advance notice of the scheduled release date and time for a particular alien in such facility, then such facility in fact will honor such request and (as early as practicable) provide the requested notice to such Department.

In addition, priority consideration will be given under this NOFO for state/local law enforcement efforts that are coordinated with federal law enforcement efforts through: (i) established and full participation in, or (ii) commitment to enter into and fully participate in a 287(g) partnership and/or a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). To request priority consideration, applicants must provide a letter of support from DOJ through the U.S. Attorney's Office's Lead HSTF Attorney (for the applicable HSTF), certifying the applicant is currently or intends to participate in HSTF activities or major DOJ operations; with respect to a 287(g) partnership, the applicant must provide documentary evidence that it is already an established 287(g) partner, or else, evidence of a bona fide commitment to engage in such a partnership.

Note: Addressing these priorities is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

Unallowable Activities: The following are certain unallowable costs and certain activities that are out of the program scope and will not be funded.

1. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that, directly or indirectly, violates (or promotes or facilitates the violation of) federal immigration law (including 8 U.S.C. § 1373) or impedes or hinders the enforcement of federal immigration law—including by failing to comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, give access to DHS agents, or honor DHS requests and provide requested notice to DHS agents.

2. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that violates any applicable Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination law. This includes violations that (1) indirectly violate the law, including by promoting or facilitating violations;

or (2) unlawfully favor individuals in any race or protected group, including on a majority or minority, or privileged or unprivileged, basis, within a given area, population, or sector.

3. As specified in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, in Chapter 3.13 “Unallowable Costs” (“Legal Services for Aliens”), any obligations of funds, at any tier, under this award to provide (or to support the provision of) legal services to any removable alien or any alien otherwise unlawfully present in the United States shall be unallowable costs for purposes any award made under this notice, but the foregoing shall not be understood to apply: (1) to legal services to obtain protection orders for victims of crime; or (2) to immigration-related legal services that may be expressly authorized or required by any law, or any judicial ruling, governing or applicable to the award.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 6 https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024

Goals and Objectives of This Funding Opportunity

Goal 1: Systematically identify eligible cold case homicides.

• Objective 1: Conduct systematic review of historical records, community sources, and archival materials to identify and document potential pre-1980 homicides that meet program eligibility criteria.

Goal 2: Improve the investigation and prosecution of eligible cold case homicides utilizing modern technology and forensics.

• Objective 1: Apply advanced forensic technologies—including forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), degraded DNA analysis, and modern forensic re-examination—to identify cases where biological or physical evidence exists to generate new investigative leads.

• Objective 2: Enhance coordination and collaboration between state, local, and federal law enforcement to increase intelligence and evidence collection, and to locate and interview identified surviving witnesses and family members.

• Objective 3: Present cases to prosecutors for charging consideration when evidence supports prosecution, and systematically track case outcomes through final disposition.

Expected Outcomes

OJP expects recipients to submit deliverables and performance reports, as described below. Read the Application Resource Guide for more information. OJP will measure success by reviewing a recipient’s submission of performance reports and data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and objectives of this NOFO.

Deliverables

Recipients do not need to submit any deliverables other than the standard items in the Post-Award Requirements and Administration section.

Performance Reports

OJP requires recipients to submit regular performance reports that communicate progress toward achieving Program Goals and Objectives. Read information on performance reporting. Award recipients will receive further guidance on post award reporting requirements.

4. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Application Contents List

OJP will only consider applications that contain all required parts, which are marked *Required* below. Refer to the DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist for application instructions.

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Application Item Submission Type

Step 1: Grants.gov

Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424 *Required* Online Form

Step 2: JustGrants

Standard Applicant Information *Required* Online Form

Proposal Abstract Text Box

Data Requested With Application

• Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

• Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Online Form

Proposal Narrative *Required* Attachment

Budget *Required* Online Form

Other Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

• Consultant Rate (if applicable)

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee

Compensation for Awards Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable)

Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

• Certification as to the use of FGG

• Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government *applicant state or local government entities only* *Required*

Attachment

In addition to the items marked *Required* in the table above, the following are basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review:

• The application is submitted by an eligible applicant.

• The application is responsive to the scope of the NOFO.

• 1373 Certification signed by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the

Applicant Government (applicant state or local government entities only)

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 8

Standard Applicant Information *Required*

Review and edit as needed the information imported from the SF-424 submitted in Grants.gov. Add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project.

Proposal Abstract

In JustGrants, enter a proposal abstract (limited to 2,000 characters) summarizing the proposed project. As abstracts for funded projects are public, do not include any personally identifying information (e.g., staff names). The abstract should include the following information:

• The name of the applicant’s proposed project.

• The purpose of the proposed project (i.e., what the project will do and why it is necessary).

• Where the project will take place (i.e., the service area, if applicable).

• Who will be served by the project (i.e., who will be helped or have their needs addressed by the project).

• What activities will be carried out to complete the project.

• The subrecipient(s)/partner organizations or entities, if known.

• Deliverables and expected outcomes (i.e., what the project will achieve).

View an example of a proposal abstract.

Data Requested With Application

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

Review information on this questionnaire.

Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Applicants seeking priority consideration under the Agency Funding Priorities section should answer the inventory questions in their entirety in the web-based form in JustGrants.

Proposal Narrative *Required*

Format of the Proposal Narrative

Submit the narrative as an attachment in JustGrants. The document should:

• Be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point size font

• Have no less than 1-inch margins

• Have numbered pages

• Not exceed 10 pages

If the Proposal Narrative does not follow this format, OJP may reduce the score/ranking of the application.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 9 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#proposal-abstract https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#fm-internal-controls-questionnaire

Sections of the Proposal Narrative

The Proposal Narrative must include the four sections listed below. If you want priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state which priority(ies) your project will advance and describe how it will do so.

1. Description of the Need (5% of application score): What critical issue or problem do you propose to address with this project? Please include:

• A brief explanation of the need, gap, or issue to be addressed by the proposed project.

• Supporting information, data, or evidence to demonstrate the need’s existence, size, and impact on the target population and community.

• How the need relates to the purpose of the NOFO.

2. Project Goals and Objectives (15% of application score): How will the proposed project address the need identified and address the purpose of the NOFO? Please include:

• Project goals (goals are broad, visionary statements on what you hope to accomplish).

• Project objectives (objectives are specific outcomes you plan to achieve through project activities).

• How your project goals and objectives relate to the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity.

3. Project Design and Implementation (35% of application score): How will you implement project activities that meet the project goals and objectives? Please include:

• What activities you will conduct to achieve the proposed goals and objectives.

• How you will deliver or complete those activities.

• When the activities will take place.

• Who in your organization will staff the activities, including key staff.

• Who will participate in and benefit from the activity.

• What deliverables, reports, and other items will be produced as part of the project.

• If you plan to use subrecipients to help conduct the project, please name them (if they are known) or describe how you will identify them. Please describe their role in conducting project activities.

4. Capabilities and Competencies (30% of application score): What administrative and technical capacity and expertise do you bring to successfully complete this project?

Please include:

• A short description of your capacity to deliver the proposed project and meet the post-award requirements, if funded.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 10

• A description of projects or activities your organization has conducted, or is currently conducting, that demonstrates your ability to undertake the proposed project activities.

• A summary of relevant experience of team members with key responsibilities for implementing the project.

Project Evaluations: An applicant that proposes to use award funds to conduct project evaluations must follow the guidance on project evaluations.

Budget and Associated Documentation

Budget (15% of application score) *Required*

• Use the Budget Detail Worksheet (Web-Based Form) or Separate Attachment (attach file in JustGrants) to submit the budget. Read information on budget preparation and JustGrants Application Submission Training.

• List each cost needed to implement the project under the appropriate cost category.

• Clearly name and describe each cost.

• Show the computation of each cost (e.g., cost per unit, number of units, and total cost).

• Enter narrative, as needed, to explain the cost calculations and connection to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

• Include only costs that are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to implement the project. They must be allowable under the funding statute and agency requirements.1

Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): If the budget includes indirect costs calculated using a current, federally approved indirect cost rate, upload your indirect cost rate agreement. Read information about indirect costs.

• Consultant Rate (if applicable): Read information on limits to consultant rates and whether you need to request approval to exceed those limits.

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable): Read information on this limitation and to determine whether you need to submit a waiver.

Additional Application Components

Attach these in JustGrants:

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable): Read information on whether you may need to submit a Tribal Authorizing Resolution.

• Certification as to the use of FGG.

1 See 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. Read information on unallowable costs that apply to all funding opportunities.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 11 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#project-evaluations https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#budget-prep https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#budget-prep https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/training-application-submission https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#indirect-cost https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#consultant-rate-if-applicable https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#limitation-use-award https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#tribal-authorizing-resolution https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#unallowable-uses-of-funds

• Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government: Applicant state or local government entities only— Upload properly executed “Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government,” using only the certification template provided in the specified Appendix to this NOFO.

Disclosures and Assurances

Read the disclosures and assurances and complete them in JustGrants:

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (if applicable)

• DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

• DOJ Certifications

• Applicant Disclosure and Justification—DOJ High-Risk Grantees (if applicable)

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit your application by the deadlines. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) does not apply to this funding opportunity: read the Application Resource Guide for details. Read OJP’s policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disasters.

6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

The Application Resource Guide explains the responsiveness review, review criteria, and review and selection process, including risk review, and deciding official. Refer to the Application Contents List for all required application components and other basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review. The Proposal Narrative and Budget sections of this NOFO indicates the weight of technical review criteria.

7. AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process.

8. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATION

Read the Application Resource Guide for more information about standard award terms and conditions, administrative and national policy requirements, and post-award reporting requirements.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 12 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosures-and-assurances https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#guidance-for-specific-sf-424-fields https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#application-review-for-competitive-funding https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#federal-award-notices https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information

9. QUESTIONS?

NOFO Contact

Name: OJP Response Center Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only) Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday

SAM.gov Help Desk Website: sam.gov/help Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday (closed federal holidays)

Grants.gov Help Desk

Phone: 800-518-4726 Email: support@grants.gov Website: grants.gov/support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays)

JustGrants Help Desk

Phone: 833-872-5175 Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov Hours: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 13 mailto:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

APPENDIX 1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government

On behalf of the applicant named below, and in support of its application, I certify under penalty of perjury to the Office of Justice Programs ("OJP"), U.S. Department of Justice ("USDOJ"), that all of the following are true and correct:

(1) I am the chief executive officer of the State or local government ("the jurisdiction") of which the applicant entity named below is a part (or a senior official of the jurisdiction, with the legal authority to bind the same), I have received appropriate legal advice as to this certification, and I have the authority to make this certification on my own behalf as chief executive officer (or senior official) and on behalf of the jurisdiction and the applicant entity. I understand that OJP will rely upon this certification as a material representation in any decision to make an award to the applicant entity.

(2) I have carefully reviewed (or have received pertinent legal advice concerning) 8 U.S.C.

§§1373(a) & (b) and 1644, including the prohibitions on certain actions by State and local government entities, agencies, and officials regarding information on citizenship and immigration status.

(3) I (and the applicant entity) understand that, for purposes of this certification, the term "program or activity" means what it means under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (see 42 U.S.C. § 2000d-4a), and that terms used in this certification that are defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101 mean what they mean under that section 1101, except that the term "State" also shall include American Samoa (cf. 42 U.S.C. § 901(a)(2)).

(4) I (and the applicant entity) assure that the applicant entity (and its officials and other personnel) will comply with 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644 in any "program or activity" receiving federal financial assistance under any award made by OJP pursuant to this application. I further certify that any subrecipient (at any tier) of such federal financial assistance (and its officials and other personnel) will also comply with 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644.

I acknowledge that a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement (or concealment or omission of a material fact) in this certification, or in the application that it supports, may be the subject of criminal prosecution (including under 34 U.S.C. § 10271 or under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 or 1621, and may subject me and the applicant entity to civil penalties and administrative remedies for false claims or otherwise (including under 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3730 and §§ 3801–3812). I also acknowledge that OJP awards, including certifications provided in connection with such awards, are subject to review by USDOJ, including by OJP and by the USDOJ Office of the Inspector General.

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BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program

Signature of Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government Date of Certification

Printed Name of Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) Title of Chief Executive Officer

Name of Applicant Government Entity

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