DNA Cold Case (DNACC) Competitive Grant Program

The 2026 DNA Cold Case Competitive Grant Program is administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP) Grants and Community Services Division (GCSD). This initiative provides financial support to accredited universities in Michigan to enhance workforce development in cold case investigations. By aligning with the Michigan State Police, universities can either expand existing cold case programs or initiate new ones. The primary objective is to strengthen investigative capabilities through applied learning in forensic science, law, and investigative techniques focused on unresolved homicides and missing persons’ cases. The grant program is competitive and aims to foster collaboration between law enforcement and academic institutions to address persistent unsolved crimes. Eligible applicants must be Michigan-accredited universities that have either already maintained a cold case program with MSP for at least one year by October 1, 2024 (Category One) or plan to launch one by October 1, 2026 (Category Two). Funding may only be used for programmatic and operational expenses, such as staffing, equipment, and secure infrastructure for case management. Universities must comply with the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) requirements, establish security protocols (e.g., LEIN access, biometric locks), and demonstrate capacity for confidential information handling. Applications must be submitted electronically to the MSP GCSD at [email protected] by 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Required components include a completed application form, a detailed project narrative, and a budget worksheet. The narrative must follow specific formatting instructions and include a description of the program design and implementation, goals and performance metrics, anticipated impact, and organizational capacity. Each application will be evaluated based on the clarity, completeness, and accuracy of these components. The evaluation criteria include the thoroughness of the project narrative, how well the proposed activities align with the program’s goals, and the feasibility of the budget. Projects must be initiated within 60 days of the grant award, which is expected to be announced by February 27, 2026. The program period runs from April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026. The funding cap for each award is $200,000, and the grant is designed to supplement existing funding sources, not replace them. This grant does not require a cost-sharing or matching component. Applicants should note that all submitted application materials are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and therefore may be made publicly available. There is no appeals process for funding decisions. Each proposal should present a clear plan for recruiting and selecting students, managing data confidentiality, and coordinating with law enforcement agencies. The program must demonstrate how it will sustain operations and preserve case integrity over time. For further information or questions, applicants should contact the GCSD via the provided email. All required forms and detailed application guidelines are available through the MSP GCSD website. This grant is expected to recur annually, and the structure suggests ongoing state support for academic involvement in criminal justice innovation and training.

Follow all formatting and documentation instructions exactly; incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.