BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program | O BJA 2026 172680

Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2026 172680

The BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), focused on helping publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories and eligible jurisdictions expand their ability to process DNA evidence and reduce DNA backlogs. The central goal is to strengthen evidence-based criminal justice responses by increasing the effective use of DNA technology, especially as it relates to generating DNA profiles that can be uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In practical terms, the program is meant to help jurisdictions that already have established crime laboratory operations handle more samples, move cases through the system faster, and improve the overall efficiency and throughput of forensic DNA workflows tied to CODIS entry.

The program emphasizes two main priorities. First, it aims to increase the capacity and/or efficiency of publicly funded forensic DNA labs conducting DNA analysis for CODIS entry. That priority is fundamentally about improving the lab-side pipeline, meaning jurisdictions can use funding to reduce backlogs and accelerate processing where operational bottlenecks exist. Second, the program supports implementing Rapid DNA in booking station(s) in eligible jurisdictions, reflecting an interest in expanding the operational use of Rapid DNA technology at points of intake where it can potentially speed up identification and case development, assuming applicable legal and technical requirements are met. Taken together, these priorities show that BJA is looking for measurable improvements in laboratory performance and system-wide handling of DNA samples, not simply general-purpose equipment purchases without clear backlog or capacity outcomes.

A notable feature of this competitive program is that it is structured to prioritize jurisdictions facing the greatest operational challenges by using key performance measures reported by publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories. This suggests that applicants may be evaluated not only on proposed activities, but also on demonstrated need and performance metrics that reflect current workload pressures, turnaround times, backlog conditions, and related operational indicators. The intent is to distribute funds in a way that is both fair and efficient, directing resources toward agencies where capacity constraints are most acute and where funding is likely to translate into tangible improvements in CODIS-related processing.

Eligibility includes state governments and a range of local government entities, including county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments, as well as other units of local government. For this NOFO, “other units of local government” is explicitly defined to include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions of a state. The program is aimed at states and localities that have existing crime laboratories, since the purpose is to enhance and expand capacity rather than establish brand-new lab systems from scratch.

This particular posting is for competitive funding only. BJA indicates that a separate BJA FY26 CEBR Formula Grants Program will be posted later, and that eligible agencies may apply for both the competitive and formula CEBR funding streams. That matters for planning because an agency may choose to pursue the competitive award for targeted, performance-driven upgrades while also applying for formula funds when that solicitation becomes available, depending on how BJA structures the formula allocations and requirements.

From the source details provided, the opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172680, the CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 16.036, and the activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services. The application deadline listed is November 3, 2026, and the award ceiling is $4,900,000. The opportunity was created on September 23, 2026. Overall, the program is positioned as a capacity-building and backlog-reduction tool for CODIS-related forensic DNA operations, with an added emphasis on adopting Rapid DNA capabilities in booking environments where eligible and appropriate.

• The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.036.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,900,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Others.

Apply for O BJA 2026 172680

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