Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), under the Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice, is offering the BJA FY25 Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA program. This initiative is intended to support prosecutors in resolving violent cold case crimes where a suspect DNA profile has already been developed. The program continues BJA’s mission of upholding the rule of law, enhancing public safety, and ensuring justice for victims and their families through financial assistance, federal leadership, and critical resources. The program’s primary objective is to increase the rate of successful prosecutions or other appropriate resolutions of violent cold cases by funding investigative and prosecutorial activities, crime analysis, forensic testing, and related support services. Permissible uses of the funds include establishing or supporting multidisciplinary teams for case reviews, advanced DNA testing, forensic genetic genealogy, and expert witness services. Prosecutors may also utilize funds to obtain training and trauma-informed resources for agencies that support victims and families. The program emphasizes that only cases with a developed suspect DNA profile are eligible for funding, and analyses must be conducted by accredited laboratories that meet federal quality standards. Funding for this opportunity totals approximately $6,500,000, with an anticipated award ceiling of up to $500,000 per award and a project duration of 36 months. Up to 16 awards may be made, contingent on the availability of funds. Awards will be structured as grants and are subject to federal civil rights, nondiscrimination requirements, and financial reporting standards. Applicants should note that no cost-sharing or match is required, and applications exceeding the award ceiling will not be considered responsive. Eligibility is open to state, county, city, and township governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized and otherwise), state and local prosecuting agencies, law enforcement agencies, and units of local government such as towns, boroughs, parishes, and villages. Applications from non-prosecutorial entities must include a memorandum of understanding or letter of intent from a prosecutorial partner demonstrating commitment to the project. State or local governments must also submit a certification from their chief executive officer or senior official, following the template provided in the appendix. Applicants must complete a two-step submission process. Step 1 requires submission of the SF-424 in Grants.gov by October 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Step 2 requires the full application in JustGrants by November 3, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration in SAM.gov is required, and applicants are encouraged to begin this process no later than October 13, 2025. Applications must include a project narrative, budget detail form, resumes or curricula vitae for key personnel, letters of support, a timeline, and any required memoranda of understanding. Incomplete submissions will be deemed ineligible. Applications will first be screened for basic minimum requirements, including eligibility and completeness, before moving to peer review. Peer reviewers will evaluate based on the applicant’s statement of the problem, goals and objectives, project design and implementation, capabilities and competencies, and budget cost-effectiveness. The highest weight is placed on project design, with emphasis on alignment with DNA analysis requirements, case eligibility, and the use of forensic resources such as CODIS, ViCAP, and NamUs. Award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, who may also consider geographic distribution and DOJ strategic priorities. For assistance with the NOFO, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center at 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY), or via email at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For technical support, applicants may contact the SAM.gov Help Desk, Grants.gov Customer Support, or the JustGrants Service Desk using the contact information listed in the notice. Additional resources, including a pre-application webinar and guidance documents, will be made available by BJA. This funding opportunity was released on September 17, 2025, and awards are expected to begin October 1, 2025.