PKG00294428.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

BJA FY 2026 Missing and

Unidentified Human Remains

(MUHR) Program

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2026-172716

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: December 2, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: December 9, 2026, by 8:59 PM ET

BJA FY 2026 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Program

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Contents

Basic Information

Eligibility

Program Description

Application Contents and Format

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Review Information

Award Notices

Post-Award Requirements & Administration

Questions?

Appendix A

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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 Missing and

Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program. This opportunity supports efforts to improve reporting, transportation, forensic processing, and identification of missing persons (MP) and unidentified human remains (UHR) cases, including those involving migrants as authorized by Public Law 116-277. This program increases public safety by providing resources to locate and identify missing persons and unidentified human remains in the United States.

Specific forensic definitions for this NOFO can be found in the Forensics Appendix.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.050

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 106-177, Title II (codified at 34

U.S.C. 40501-40503) and Department of

Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No.

119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 31, para. 9(B))

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172716

Expected Total Amount of Funding Up to $3,079,954

Anticipated Number of Awards 4

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $1,000,000

Expected Award Period(s) 36 months starting on January 1, 2027 https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy26-muhr-appendix.pdf

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Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date October 19, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by October 30, 2026, and no later than November 10, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on December 2, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on December 9, 2026

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

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

Education Organizations

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education: Only publicly funded universities with forensic anthropology laboratories, direct Combined DNA

Index System (CODIS) access, medical examiner offices or toxicology laboratories are eligible to apply. A state university with an anthropology department that includes a forensic tract with labs would qualify as an eligible applicant under the statutory authority for the MUHR Program, assuming that the applicant also meets all of the other eligibility requirements outlined in this NOFO.

Nonprofit Organizations

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofit Organizations: Only nonprofit organizations that have working collaborative agreements with state and county forensic offices—including medical examiners, coroners, and justices of the peace—for entry of data into CODIS, the

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National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), or both are eligible to apply.

Other

“Other” Entities Definition:

• Other units of local government (towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state)

• Accredited, publicly funded, CODIS forensic laboratories

• Medical examiner offices

• Accredited, publicly funded toxicology laboratories

• Accredited, publicly funded crime laboratories

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. If a project will be carried out by two or more entities (project partners), only one entity may submit the application. The other entities

(project partners) must be proposed as subrecipients rather than co-applicants. An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application. For additional information regarding subawards, see the Application Resource Guide.

Additional Eligibility Factors

Certifications: You must submit the following certifications. See Additional

Application Components for how to submit.

Certification Required (state or local government applicants): In order 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 A entitled

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

Government.” Tribal government entities and educational organizations (e.g., public or 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.

Required Partnership: An applicant who does not have the necessary law enforcement-level or medical examiner/coroner-level access to the required databases https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#information-proposed-subawards

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(e.g., NamUs, CODIS, National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Violent Criminal

Apprehension Program (ViCAP)—see Definitions section in the Forensics Appendix for more information) must either (1) obtain access themselves or (2) partner with the appropriate agency(s) that already has the necessary access. Partnering agencies must provide a Memorandum of Understanding and/or Letter of Intent at the time of application. See the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and/or Letter of Intent section of this NOFO for more information regarding a partnering agency’s engagement.

Receiving funding under this NOFO does not grant access to NamUs or other restricted criminal justice databases, and entry of content into these databases is a required component of this NOFO.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

Pub. L. No. 106-177, Title II (codified at 34 U.S.C. 40501-40503) and Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 31, para. 9(B))

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 7 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 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.

Priority consideration will also 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 https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024

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Goals and Objectives of This Funding Opportunity

Goal 1: Implement collaborative partnerships to guide the enhanced response to both MP and UHR cases.

• Objective 1: Establish partnerships across the medicolegal, law enforcement, forensic science, prosecutorial, and advocacy communities as appropriate.

Increase collaboration between entities involved with MP cases and UHR cases.

• Objective 2: As a multidisciplinary team, identify the scope and backlog of MP and UHR cases in the jurisdiction; identify areas for improvement.

• Objective 3: As a multidisciplinary team, establish long term goals and objectives to enhance the jurisdiction’s response to MP and UHR cases.

Goal 2: Establish or expand programs to improve the reporting, forensic processing, identification, and repatriation of both MP and UHR cases in the jurisdiction.

• Objective 1: Report and update MP and UHR cases worked under MUHR to

NamUs, NCIC, and, where applicable, ViCAP by the end of the grant period.

• Objective 2: Utilize an MDT to implement comprehensive policy/procedure plans building jurisdictional capacity to investigate, perform applicable and modern forensic processing, and identify and resolve MP and UHR cases.

• Objective 3: Notify and repatriate human remains to appropriate relatives as determined by law.

For a description of how awards under this NOFO will contribute to achieving these goals and objectives, see the Performance Reports section below.

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 achieving the Program

Goals and Objectives of this NOFO.

Deliverables

Recipients will be expected to submit the following:

• A final report, not to exceed 5 pages long, which includes the following content

(1) evaluation of the jurisdictional capacity to address MP/UHR cases before, https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 9 during and (expected) after the award period; (2) the composition of the established MDT and the meeting cadence (monthly, biannually, etc.); (3) summary of any MP/UHR policies and/or procedures drafted and/or revised as a result of program funds [any policies and/or procedures drafted and/or revised as a result of program funds must be attached to the final report in JustGrants]; and

(4) any lessons learned in addressing MP/UHR cases within the jurisdiction.

• A final inventory of missing person and unidentified human remains cases processed with MUHR funding at the end of the performance period. This inventory must be submitted using this template and uploaded to JustGrants during the final reporting period. Award recipients are strongly encouraged to maintain this document throughout the life of the award to assist in this final reporting requirement and shall not completely close out their award until BJA has reviewed and approved the final inventory.

Performance Reports

OJP requires recipients to submit regular performance reports that communicate progress toward achieving the Program Goals and Objectives. Read information on performance reporting.

Award recipients will receive further guidance on post award reporting requirements.

Additionally, MUHR award recipients utilizing forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) must collect and report the following metrics to BJA in accordance with Section

IX of the DOJ Interim Policy Forensic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching

(FGGS). BJA will provide a template, which is to be submitted in JustGrants during the standard performance reporting cadence to report the following information:

• The type of crime investigated.

• Whether FGG/FGGS was conducted on a forensic sample or a reference sample.

• The type of forensic sample subjected to FGG and a description of the total amount, condition, and concentration of that sample (e.g., single source, mixed profile, degradation status).

• Whether FGG analysis resulted in a searchable profile.

• The identity of the vendor laboratory used to conduct the FGG analysis and the genetic genealogy service(s) used to search the FGG profile.

• Whether the investigation resulted in an arrest that was based, in part, on the use of FGGS.

• The total amount of federal funding used to conduct FGG/FGGS in each case.

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-inventory-tracker.xlsx https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme https://www.justice.gov/olp/page/file/1204386/dl

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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.

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 *Required* 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)

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive

Compensation (if applicable)

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding *Required for applicants without direct access to required federal databases such as NamUs, NCIC and ViCAP*

Attachment https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://Grants.gov

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Additional Application Components

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

• Research and Evaluation Independence and

Integrity Statement (if applicable)

• Certification as to Privacy Protections for Biological

Family Reference Samples (if available; not required at time of application)

• Certification(s) as to the Use of MUHR Funds for

FGG (if available; not required at time of application)

• MUHR Program Inventory Question Set

• List of Key Personnel

Attachment

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

• The application is submitted by an eligible applicant.

• The requested award amount does not exceed the award ceiling.

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

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 *Required*

Specific forensic definitions for this NOFO can be found in the Forensics

Appendix at the end of this document.

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).

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-frs-cert.pdf https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-fgg-cert.pdf https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-inventory.pdf

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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.

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. Specific forensic definitions for this NOFO can be found in the Forensics Appendix at the end of this document.

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.

• Provide an estimate of the number of MP and UHR cases (as applicable and to be reported separately) that are within your internal RMS (if applicable), NamUs and NCIC for your jurisdiction(s) and as provided on the MUHR Program Inventory Question Set.

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 https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-inventory.pdf

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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.

• 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.

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://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/training-application-submission

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• 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

The following information specific to this funding opportunity will help you develop your project budget:

Allowable Expenses

Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of permissible uses of funds that the applicant may utilize upon receipt of the grant award. However, other uses of funds may be allowable based on the scope of the proposed project. Additional information may be found at BJA FY 2026 MUHR – Forensics Appendix.

• Exhumation of Human Remains (as authorized by law)

• Salary (full-time, part-time, overtime) and Benefits for Personnel

• Travel https://www.gsa.gov/perdiem

• Computer equipment

• Supplies

• Laboratory supplies and equipment

• Transportation of Unidentified Remains and Missing Persons Cases

• Training (limited funding usage)

• Processing and Identification See requirements described in the Notice

Regarding DNA Analyses in the Forensics Appendix.

• Forensic Genetic Genealogy: See requirements described in Notice Regarding Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) in the BJA FY2026 MUHR – Forensics Appendix.

• State-of-the-Art Multimodal, Multipurpose Forensic and DNA Typing and

Analytical Equipment

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.

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy26-muhr-appendix.pdf https://www.gsa.gov/perdiem https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy26-muhr-appendix.pdf https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy26-muhr-appendix.pdf 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

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Unallowable Expenses

In general, requested items must be in accordance with completion of the specific

MUHR project and meeting the goals, objectives, and deliverables of the overall MUHR

Program. Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of expenses that are not allowable:

• Construction costs

• Funeral and/or Burial Costs (after repatriation process)

• Expert Witness Personnel Costs

• Recipient direct administrative expenses that exceed 3 percent of the total grant amount

• Vehicle purchase and leasing

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.

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable):

An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may be required to make certain disclosures relating to the processes it uses to determine the compensation of its officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. Read information about this disclosure and documentation to upload.

Applicants for this funding opportunity are not required to provide this disclosure.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Supporting Documents *Required for applicants without direct access to required federal databases such as NamUs, NCIC and ViCAP*

Attach a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of intent between the applicant and each of the project partner(s). Read information on what to include in an MOU/letter of intent.

• An applicant who does not have the necessary law enforcement-level or medical examiner/coroner-level access to the required databases (e.g., NCIC, NamUs, CODIS, ViCAP) must either (1) obtain access themselves or (2) partner with the appropriate agency(s) that already has the necessary access. Partnering agencies must provide a Memorandum of

Understanding and/or Letter of Intent at the time of application. Receiving funding under this NOFO does not grant access to NamUs or other 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#disclosure-process-executive https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#memorandum-of-understanding-mou-and-supporting-documents

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 16 restricted criminal justice databases, and entry of content into these databases is a required component of this NOFO.

MOUs should be submitted as one separate attachment to the application. Unsigned draft MOUs may be submitted with the application, but you should describe in a cover page to the attachment why they are unsigned.

Additional Application Components

Attach these in JustGrants:

• Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement (if applicable): Read information whether you may need to submit this statement.

• Certification as to Privacy Protections for Biological Family Reference

Samples: If an award is made, prior to receiving award funds, the recipient must submit an express certification from an official authorized to make the certification on behalf of the applicant agency that:

o Any suspected biological family DNA reference samples received from citizens of the U.S. or foreign nationals and uploaded into the Combined

DNA Index System (commonly referred to as CODIS) by an accredited, publicly funded CODIS forensic laboratory awarded a grant under this section may be used only for identifying MP and unidentified remains.

o Any biological family DNA reference samples from citizens of the U.S. or foreign nationals entered into CODIS for purposes of identifying MP and unidentified remains may not be disclosed to a federal or state law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes.

Any certification that is submitted must be personally executed by the certifying official after a determination that the certification may properly be made.

Note: In making this certification, the certifying official is certifying that these requirements are satisfied not only with respect to the applicant itself, but also with respect to each entity that will receive a portion of the grant amount.

Certification must be provided on the BJA-provided template found here.

Submission of this certification is not required at the time of application but is strongly encouraged. If an award is made, access to award funds will be withheld until this certification is received and approved by BJA.

• Certification as to the use of MUHR Funds for FGG: If an award is made for a project that proposes to use FGG, prior to receiving award funds, the recipient must submit an express certification acknowledging the requirements regarding the use of MUHR funds for FGG on UHRs as described in full in the Notice

Regarding FGG Section in the Forensics Appendix.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#research-evaluation https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-frs-cert.pdf

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Certification must be provided on the BJA-provided template found here.

Submission of this certification is not required at the time of application but is strongly encouraged. If an award is made for a project that proposes to use FGG, access to award funds will be withheld until this certification is received and approved by BJA.

• MUHR Program Inventory Question Set: The MUHR Program Inventory

Question Set should be completed using the provided template and submitted as part of the application.

• List of Key Personnel: List (to the extent known) of key personnel involved in the proposed project; A list (to the extent known) of key personnel, collaborator agency(s) in the MDT; or any proposed subrecipients, consultants and/or contractors. The list should include name and title.

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)

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.

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 peer review criteria.

AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process.

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-fgg-cert.pdf https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/muhr-inventory.pdf 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#application-review-for-competitive-funding https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#federal-award-notices

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 18

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.

Potential Environmental Impact: Grant programs that involve chemicals must comply with NEPA requirements.

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.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/nepa-guidance#0-1 mailto:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 19

APPENDIX A

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

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | 20 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.

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