2021 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program in the US

Deadline: 8-Jun-21

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding for the FY 2021 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program.

Goal

The overarching goal of BJA’s FY 2021 DNA CEBR Program is to assist eligible states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories or laboratory systems to increase the capacity of publicly funded forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories to process more DNA samples, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and/or prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples.

Objectives

The DNA CEBR Program awards funding to eligible entities with two program objectives:

Increase the number of samples analyzed in forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories.
Reduce forensic case and DNA database sample turnaround time.

Deliverables

Both objectives can be achieved by implementing allowable long-term capacity enhancement activities and short-term direct case analysis activities.

Long-term capacity enhancement activities include, but are not limited to: Purchasing newer and more efficient instruments.
- Evaluating, validating, and implementing different chemistries.
- Purchasing and upgrading Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to more efficiently manage laboratory operations.
Short-term direct case analysis activities include, but are not limited to:
- Overtime for existing personnel.
- Purchasing and using DNA analysis supplies.
- Funding contracts to private vendors for forensic case or DNA database sample analysis.
- Funding additional personnel to analyze forensic cases or DNA database samples.

Funding Information