Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2026 172718
The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Formula Grants Program is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding opportunity designed to help state and local governments reduce existing DNA backlogs and prevent new ones from forming. The program focuses specifically on jurisdictions that already have crime laboratories conducting DNA analysis, and it supports efforts to process more forensic DNA samples and DNA database samples so they can be analyzed and, where appropriate, uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The practical goal is to speed up DNA testing workflows, increase overall lab throughput, and reduce the number of cases and database submissions waiting for analysis, which can improve investigative timelines and public safety outcomes.
This opportunity is offered as a grant under CFDA number 16.036 and is categorized under law, justice, and legal services. It is structured as a formula grants program, which typically means funding is distributed based on an established allocation method rather than purely competitive scoring, though applicants still need to meet eligibility and compliance requirements and submit required documentation by the deadline. The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172718, and the application closing date is October 29, 2026. BJA anticipates making about 140 awards, and the maximum award amount (ceiling) is $3,500,000 per award.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of government and public entities that oversee or support DNA-capable crime labs, including state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. The eligibility list also includes special district governments and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, which can be relevant where universities operate accredited forensic laboratories or play a formal role in state or regional forensic service delivery. In addition, the NOFO recognizes "other units of local government" as eligible, clarifying that this term includes towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions within a state.
In terms of what the funding supports, the emphasis is on increasing the capacity to process DNA samples and reducing the inventory of untested or unprocessed samples, especially those intended for CODIS entry. That can involve activities that expand laboratory throughput, improve efficiency in DNA processing pipelines, and strengthen the operational ability of labs to keep up with demand. While the source summary does not list specific allowable cost categories, programs like this commonly target operational and capacity-building needs directly tied to DNA analysis and database submission, with the underlying expectation that funded work translates into more completed analyses and fewer samples waiting in queue.
Overall, this NOFO is aimed at jurisdictions that already have established DNA testing infrastructure but need resources to work down pending inventories and modernize or expand capacity so that evidence and database samples move more quickly from submission to analysis to CODIS entry where eligible. The program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, with awards intended to help stabilize and accelerate DNA processing at the state and local level.Apply for O BJA 2026 172718
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.036.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 140 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Others.
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FAQs: BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Formula Grants Program
What is the BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Formula Grants Program?
It is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant opportunity designed to help state and local governments reduce existing DNA backlogs and prevent new backlogs from forming. The program supports efforts that increase the capacity of crime laboratories to process forensic DNA samples and DNA database samples.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The practical goal is to speed up DNA testing workflows, increase overall laboratory throughput, and reduce the number of cases and database submissions waiting for analysis. This can help improve investigative timelines and public safety outcomes.
Who is the administering agency for this opportunity?
The program is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172718.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The CFDA number is 16.036.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity is categorized under law, justice, and legal services.
What type of grant is this?
It is structured as a formula grants program, meaning funding is typically distributed using an established allocation method rather than being awarded solely through competitive scoring. Applicants still must meet eligibility and compliance requirements and submit required materials by the deadline.
When is the application closing date?
The application closing date is October 29, 2026.
How many awards does BJA expect to make?
BJA anticipates making about 140 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $3,500,000 per award.
Which jurisdictions is this program intended to support?
The program focuses specifically on jurisdictions that already have crime laboratories conducting DNA analysis and need support to process more samples and reduce backlogs.
What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and other units of local government. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are also eligible.
What does "other units of local government" mean in this NOFO?
The NOFO clarifies that "other units of local government" includes towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions within a state.
Can public or state-controlled universities apply?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible, which may apply in situations where universities operate accredited forensic laboratories or play a formal role in state or regional forensic service delivery.
What activities does the program support?
The emphasis is on increasing laboratory capacity to process DNA samples and reducing the inventory of untested or unprocessed samples, especially those intended for CODIS entry. This includes efforts that expand throughput, improve efficiency in DNA processing pipelines, and strengthen the operational ability of labs to keep up with demand.
Does the program support both forensic DNA samples and DNA database samples?
Yes. The program supports processing more forensic DNA samples and DNA database samples so they can be analyzed and, where appropriate, uploaded to CODIS.
Is CODIS upload part of the expected outcome?
Yes. A core aim is to enable more samples to move from submission to analysis and, where appropriate, to upload into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Is this grant intended for jurisdictions without DNA testing labs?
No. The program focuses on jurisdictions that already have crime laboratories conducting DNA analysis.
Does the summary list specific allowable cost categories?
No. The provided summary does not list specific allowable cost categories. It describes the program emphasis as operational and capacity-building needs directly tied to DNA analysis and database submission, with an expectation that funded work leads to more completed analyses and fewer samples waiting in queue.
What kinds of improvements are this program trying to achieve in labs?
The program is aimed at stabilizing and accelerating DNA processing by increasing throughput, improving efficiency in DNA workflows, modernizing or expanding capacity, and reducing the number of pending cases or database submissions awaiting analysis.
Is this opportunity competitive or allocation-based?
It is described as a formula grants program, which typically indicates allocation-based distribution using an established method rather than purely competitive scoring, while still requiring applicants to meet eligibility, compliance, and submission requirements.
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