BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)-Competitive Grants Program
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- O-BJA-2026-172680
- Agency
-
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $4,900,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- Special District Governments
- Other
- City/Township Governments
- County Governments
- State Governments
- Points of contact
-
- OJP Response Center ojp.responsecenter@usdoj.gov (800) 851-3420
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is soliciting applications for the FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program, with an SF-424 submission deadline of November 3, 2026 and a full application deadline of November 10, 2026. Up to $4.9 million in total funding is available; no cost sharing is required.
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and public institutions of higher education that own, control, or operate a crime laboratory or laboratory system. The program funds two categories: Category 1 supports implementation of DNA technology in forensic laboratories to increase processing capacity for CODIS-eligible samples, with 7 anticipated awards up to $1 million each; Category 2 supports implementation or expansion of Rapid DNA technology in booking stations to generate CODIS-eligible DNA profiles from arrestees, with 1 anticipated award up to $1 million. Award period is 24 months beginning January 1, 2027.
The program prioritizes jurisdictions facing the greatest operational challenges, as measured by DNA processing turnaround times. Category 1 applicants with the longest turnaround times receive priority consideration. Applications must include a proposal narrative (maximum 10 pages, weighted 35% for project design and implementation), budget, CEBR Program Eligibility Certification form, and proof of DNA laboratory accreditation. Category 1 applicants must submit baseline performance measures. Category 2 applicants requiring partnership must submit a memorandum of understanding if not operating the Rapid DNA instrument themselves. All applicants must submit a Program Income Declaration addressing fee-for-service compliance.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.036 (Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program). Applications require two-step submission: SF-424 in Grants.gov followed by complete application in JustGrants.
Synopsis
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) - Competitive Grants Program. This opportunity will increase capacity of states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories to process DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The purpose of the CEBR Competitive Program is to maximize the effective utilization of DNA technology to strengthen evidence-based criminal justice responses. The priorities of the CEBR Competitive Program are (1) to use DNA technology to increase the capacity and/or efficiency of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to conduct analysis of DNA samples for entry into CODIS and (2) implementing Rapid DNA in the booking station(s) in eligible jurisdictions. The program is designed to fairly and efficiently prioritize jurisdictions facing operational challenges by considering key performance measures reported by publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories. This program is for Competitive funding only. The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) - Formula Grants Program for formula funding will post at a later date. Eligible agencies may apply for both Competitive and Formula CEBR Funding.
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.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00294217.pdf | ||
| PKG00294218.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity