§ Federal grant opportunity · O-BJA-2026-172680
BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance is accepting applications for BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program. The deadline is November 3, 2026 and the published award range is $0 – $4.9M.
Key facts
- Funder
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Application deadline
- November 3, 2026
- Award range
- $0 – $4.9M
- Eligibility
- special district governments, other, city or township governments, county governments, state governments
- Geography
- United States
- Focus areas
- Law Justice And Legal Services
- Opportunity number
- O-BJA-2026-172680
Program overview
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) — Competitive Grants Program. This opportunity will increase capacity of states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories to process DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The purpose of the CEBR Competitive Program is to maximize the effective utilization of DNA technology to strengthen evidence-based criminal justice responses. The priorities of the CEBR Competitive Program are (1) to use DNA technology to increase the capacity and/or efficiency of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to conduct analysis of DNA samples for entry into CODIS and (2) implementing Rapid DNA in the booking station(s) in eligible jurisdictions. The program is designed to fairly and efficiently prioritize jurisdictions facing operational challenges by considering key performance measures reported by publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories. This program is for Competitive funding only. The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) — Formula Grants Program for formula funding will post at a later date. Eligible agencies may apply for both Competitive and Formula CEBR Funding.
How to apply
- Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
- Read the full funding opportunity announcement from Bureau of Justice Assistance.
- Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
- Submit before November 3, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.
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