BJA FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)- Competitive Grants Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at the U.S. Department of Justice, has released the Fiscal Year 2025 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program. This program is intended to provide direct support to states and units of local government with accredited crime laboratories that conduct forensic DNA analysis. Its goal is to reduce casework backlogs, improve turnaround times, and maximize the utilization of DNA technology to strengthen evidence-based criminal justice responses. Funds are designed to expand the capacity of laboratories to process DNA samples eligible for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), ultimately enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement efforts across the nation. The CEBR Competitive Program specifically funds two categories of projects. Category 1 supports accredited public forensic DNA laboratories in improving their operational efficiency to process CODIS-eligible crime scene samples. Allowable costs may include personnel, training, equipment, workflow improvements, and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) upgrades. Category 2 supports the use of Rapid DNA technology in booking stations to generate CODIS-eligible DNA profiles from arrestees. Funds may cover acquisition, validation, training, integration of instruments, and the establishment of secure systems to ensure compliance with federal standards. The total anticipated funding available for this opportunity is $3,000,000, with an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per project. Up to two awards are expected under Category 1 and one award under Category 2. Each award will have a period of performance of 24 months, beginning October 1, 2025. Applicants may submit budgets below the maximum ceiling, provided requests remain reasonable and aligned with the program’s goals. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. Applicants must operate an accredited crime laboratory or laboratory system; those relying solely on outside contractual arrangements for forensic services are not eligible. Each applicant must also submit a signed DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program Eligibility Certification form. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. Applications are submitted in a two-step process. The first step requires the submission of the SF-424 form through Grants.gov no later than October 22, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The second step requires submission of the complete application through JustGrants by October 29, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants must be registered and maintain an active profile in SAM.gov prior to submission. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, eligibility certification, proof of accreditation, and a program income declaration. Additional documentation, such as MOUs and letters of support, may be required depending on the project type. Applications will first be screened for basic minimum requirements, including eligibility and responsiveness to the scope of the program. Those that qualify will undergo peer review, with criteria including statement of need, project design and implementation, goals and objectives, applicant capacity, and data collection plans. Projects will also be evaluated on alignment with DOJ priorities, such as reducing violent crime, protecting children, and supporting victims of trafficking and sexual assault. Following peer and programmatic review, final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General. For assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center at 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY), or email OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional support is available through SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants help desks. A pre-application webinar will be announced on the BJA’s Upcoming Events page. Award notifications will be issued through JustGrants, with award packages including all conditions and reporting requirements. Reporting obligations include quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and compliance with performance measurement standards.