BJA FY25 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- O-BJA-2025-172471
- Agency
-
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $1,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- State Governments
- City/Township Governments
- Special District Governments
- Other
- County Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs is seeking applications for the Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence grant program. This funding opportunity aims to assist states and local governments in defraying costs associated with postconviction case review, evidence location, and DNA testing in violent felony cases where new evidence might demonstrate actual innocence. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city/township governments, and public higher education institutions. The grant will support activities such as identifying potential postconviction cases, reviewing case files, locating biological evidence, performing DNA analysis, and improving evidence preservation. Applications will be evaluated using five key criteria: description of the issue, project design and implementation, capabilities and competencies, budget, and data collection plan for performance measures. The application deadline is December 10, 2025, with peer reviewers conducting technical merit assessments.
Historically, awards under this program have ranged from $500,000 to $1.8 million, with performance periods typically spanning three to four years. The funding will support project activities within the jurisdictions of the applicant organizations, with performance sites likely to include state crime laboratories, district attorneys' offices, and university-based innocence project clinics. Successful applicants will be expected to implement comprehensive postconviction DNA testing and analysis activities with the potential to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals. The Bureau of Justice Assistance may consider factors such as underserved populations, geographic diversity, and strategic priorities when making final award decisions. A one-time project extension of up to 12 months may be possible with sufficient justification.
Synopsis
This funding opportunity assists 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. Please see the Eligible Applicants section for the eligibility criteria.
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