O-BJA-2021-45002: BJA FY 21 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program (O-BJA-2026-172773). Status: Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left). It is in our archive of Bureau of Justice Assistance notices from 2021.
Bureau of Justice Assistance offered grants of up to $500,000 to state and local governments and businesses. It expected to make $3.3 million in total. Applications closed on May 10, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 18, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$500,000
- Total funding$3.3 million
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | January 4, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | May 10, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to state and local governments and businesses.
- State governments
- City or township governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Category 1: State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, including prosecutors’ offices. Tribal law enforcement must be from federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior). Applicants can partner with other agencies and nonprofit organizations with expertise to support the investigation of these cold cases and expertise to leverage historical documents to inform investigations. Category 2: For-profit (commercial) organizations, nonprofit organizations (including tribal organizations), faith-based and community organizations, and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education) with demonstrated expertise in assisting communities to develop and implement cold case homicide investigations, as well as investigations of hate crimes and civil rights violations. See Eligibility Information further in this solicitation
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program awards averaged $912,676; this notice allows up to $500,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (68% over five years) went to state and local governments.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program supports funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies for costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of unsolved homicide cold case murders suspected of having been racially motivated, including support for victims' families and stakeholders impacted by these cases. The program also supports an award for national training and technical assistance.
Who has won Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program (16.031) awarded $10.0 million across 11 grant awards, an average of $912,676 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Valley Technical College | Wisconsin | 1 | $2.4 million |
| Orleans Parish District Attorney | Louisiana | 2 | $2.0 million |
| Attorney General, Office of the | Washington | 1 | $1.5 million |
| City of Tulsa | Oklahoma | 1 | $1.1 million |
| Office of the Attorney General | Maryland | 1 | $599,976 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, O-BJA-2026-172773, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is O-BJA-2021-45002 still open?
No. It closed on May 10, 2021. A newer notice is open: O-BJA-2026-172773, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).
Who can apply for BJA FY 21 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program?
Bureau of Justice Assistance accepted applications from state and local governments and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for BJA FY 21 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program?
Closed May 10, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $500,000 each. About $3.3 million in total.
Who has won Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Fox Valley Technical College, Orleans Parish District Attorney, Attorney General, Office of the. The program made 11 awards worth $10.0 million in that time.