Grant Details

The Postconviction 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 2025. 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 2025. 

Specific Information 

• Category 1: Case reviews and DNA testing (Anticipated Award Amount: $1,000,000)
  • Category 1 funds help to 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.
• Category 2: Improve preservation of biological evidence and/or modernization of record storage systems (Anticipated Award Amount: $1,000,000)
  • Category funds 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.

Program objectives for Category 1 are to: 

1. Identify potential postconviction DNA testing cases.  
2. 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. 
3. Locate biological evidence associated with such postconviction cases. 
4. Perform DNA analysis of appropriate biological evidence and report and review the DNA test results.

Program objectives for Category 2 are to: 

1. Locate, record, store, and retain biological evidence in adjudicated cases in accordance with best practices.  
2. Modernize evidence retention practices for biological evidence in accordance with best practices. 
3. Modernize and digitize the storage of existing files and records in adjudicated cases. 
4. Implement modern, digitized file and record retention systems.  

Agency Funding Priorities:

In order to advance public safety and help meet its mission, OJP will provide priority consideration to applicants that propose (as applicable within the scope of this funding opportunity) projects designed to advance the goals listed below. Applicants seeking priority consideration should specify in the proposal narrative (and in the budget detail form, if applicable) which of the following goal(s) the project is intended to advance and how it will do so:

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