OpenFederal grantO-BJA-2026-172680

BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program

Bureau of Justice AssistanceCloses Nov 3, 2026(21 days left)Up to $4,900,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a federal grant for state and local governments that already run publicly funded crime laboratories and need to process DNA samples for CODIS or implement Rapid DNA in booking stations. For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietors, cannot apply, and neither can nonprofits. If you are not a government agency with an existing crime lab, do not bother applying.

Best for
State governments operating publicly funded crime laboratories, County, city, township or other local governments with existing DNA labs, Jurisdictions planning Rapid DNA implementation in booking stations
Not for
Private forensic science or DNA testing companies, Nonprofit organizations, Any for-profit business, including small businesses and sole proprietors
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Equipment, Infrastructure, Technical assistance, Operating support
Who can apply
State and local governments
Award range
Up to $4,900,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is November 3, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $0 to $4,900,000. The facts do not state a typical or expected award size.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only government entities may apply: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and other units of local government such as towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state. Applicants must have existing publicly funded crime laboratories.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, may not apply. Only government entities are eligible.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. This program does not accept nonprofit applicants; only government entities may apply.

Summary

Grants to states and units of local government with existing publicly funded crime laboratories to increase capacity and efficiency to analyze DNA samples for CODIS entry, and to implement Rapid DNA in booking stations. Only governments may apply; no cost sharing required.

About this grant

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.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Other units of local government: For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Criminal justice
  • Forensic science
  • Public safety
  • Technology

Program contact

Bureau of Justice AssistanceOJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov202-514-9354

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