The Post-conviction Testing of DNA Evidence program funds projects that will defray the costs associated with postconviction DNA testing in cases of violent felony offenses (as defined by state law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated. The Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence Program also provides funds to assist in defraying the costs associated with postconviction case review and evidence location in these cases.
Any awards under this solicitation would be made under statutory authority provided by full year appropriations act for FY 2024. As of the writing of this solicitation, the Department of Justice is operating under a short-term "Continuing Resolution;" no full-year appropriation for the Department has been enacted for FY 2024.
Specific Information
Under Category 1, BJA seeks to help defray the costs (e.g., additional personnel, overtime, testing supplies, and services) associated with postconviction DNA testing for violent felony offenses (as defined by state law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated. Funds may be used to review suitable postconviction cases and locate and analyze biological evidence.
Under Category 2, BJA provides funding to assist entities to improve the preservation of biological evidence and/or modernize record retention for postconviction violent felony offenses (as defined by state law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated.
BJA will prioritize applications for Category 1 for funding over those in Category 2. Once funding decisions for Category 1 are complete, remaining funding will be distributed to the relevant applications in Category 2, as appropriate.
Category 1
Program objectives for Category 1 are to:
- Identify potential postconviction DNA testing cases.
- Review appropriate postconviction cases to identify those in which DNA testing could prove the actual innocence of a person convicted of a violent felony offense as defined by state law.
- Locate biological evidence associated with such postconviction cases.
- Perform DNA analysis of appropriate biological evidence and report and review the DNA test results.
Category 2
Program objectives for Category 2 are to:
- Locate, record, store, and retain biological evidence in adjudicated cases in accordance with best practices.
- Modernize evidence retention practices for biological evidence in accordance with best practices.
- Modernize and digitize the storage of existing files and records in adjudicated cases.
- Implement modern, digitized file and record retention systems.
Previous awardees can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/awards/list?field_award_status_value=All&state=All&field_funding_type_value=All&field_served_nationally_value=All&fiscal_year=&combine_awards=Post-conviction+Testing+of+DNA+Evidence&awardee=&city=#awards-awards-list-block-gkgdpm1ooymuyukj