Deadline: 10-Oct-2025
The Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program is offering vital funding to strengthen national efforts in addressing missing persons and unidentified human remains cases across the United States.
This initiative recognizes that many unidentified remains belong to victims of violent crimes, and that identification is often the first step toward justice for victims and closure for families. By supporting jurisdictions with resources for reporting, forensic processing, identification, and transportation, the MUHR Program plays a critical role in both public safety and community healing.
The program is designed to build state and local capacity while fostering collaboration between agencies working on missing persons and unidentified human remains cases. With consistent reporting, advanced forensic methods, and stronger interagency cooperation, jurisdictions will be better equipped to solve cases, identify victims, and hold violent offenders accountable. Beyond justice, the program offers hope and resolution to families who have lived with uncertainty for far too long.
Funding is available across three categories, tailored to the scope of work applicants propose. Statewide projects can receive up to $1 million to develop or expand systems and resources. Local projects may access awards of up to $500,000 to address cases at the county or city level. A third category, with awards of up to $1 million, specifically targets the unique needs of small, rural, and Tribal entities that often lack sufficient resources to fully manage complex cases.
In total, more than $5.4 million will be distributed, with up to eight awards anticipated across the three categories. Projects will begin in October 2025 and can run for up to 36 months, providing a sustained opportunity for jurisdictions to implement meaningful improvements in how they respond to missing persons and unidentified remains.
Eligibility is broad and includes state governments, local governments, accredited public forensic laboratories, medical examiner offices, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The inclusion of CODIS-accredited labs and crime laboratories ensures that scientific expertise will be central to funded efforts, while nonprofits and higher education institutions may bring additional community-based and research-driven perspectives.
Through the MUHR Program, jurisdictions have the opportunity to modernize their approach to missing persons and unidentified remains. By leveraging forensic science, improving interagency collaboration, and extending critical resources to underserved areas, this funding seeks to reduce the number of unresolved cases nationwide, strengthen public trust, and provide long-awaited answers to grieving families.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
