Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (16.820)
Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Assistance Listing 16.820) is run by the Office of Justice Programs, part of the Department of Justice. It awarded $41.7 million in 50 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $834,984 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $796,292. Half of the 50 awards fell between $500,000 and $1.0 million, and they ranged from $99,444 to $2.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$41.7 million
- Grant awards50
- Typical award$796,292
- Awarded in FY 2025-$617,178
- Size rank1,085 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- It is the 1085th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 76% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 24 states and territories.
What the program funds
Program goal(s) name: Assist states and units of local government with postconviction DNA testing in cases of violent felony offenses where actual innocence might be demonstrated. Program goal(s) description: Conduct review of cases involving violent felony offenses (as defined by state law) where actual innocence might be demonstrated through the use of DNA testing and improve practices involving preservation of biological evidence and/or modernization of record retention in adjudicated cases. Program objective(s) name: Improve and modernize processes to locate, store and retain biological samples for DNA testing in postconviction cases. Program objective(s) description: Identify potential postconviction DNA testing cases; Review appropriate postconviction cases to identify those in which DNA testing could prove the actual innocence of a person convicted of a violent felony offense as defined by state law; Locate biological evidence associated with such postconviction cases; Perform DNA analysis of appropriate biological evidence and report and review the DNA test results; Locate, record, store, and retain biological evidence in adjudicated cases in accordance with best practices; Modernize evidence retention practices for biological evidence in accordance with best practices; Modernize and digitize the storage of existing files and records in adjudicated cases.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
FY23 BJA plans to award 15 grants, at an estimated maximum dollar amount for each award of $1,000,000. See the current fiscal year’s solicitation guidelines posted on the Office of Justice Programs website at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (16.820) awarded $41.7 million across 50 grant awards, an average of $834,984 per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 67% of the money, colleges and universities 33%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 33 | $27.8 million | 67% |
| Colleges and universities | 17 | $14.0 million | 33% |
By state
15 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7 | $6.4 million |
| New York | 4 | $4.5 million |
| Michigan | 4 | $3.1 million |
| Illinois | 3 | $2.9 million |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $2.5 million |
| Colorado | 2 | $2.3 million |
| Louisiana | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $2.0 million |
| Texas | 3 | $1.6 million |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Georgia | 2 | $1.3 million |
| Arizona | 1 | $1.3 million |
| Idaho | 2 | $1.2 million |
| North Carolina | 2 | $1.2 million |
| Connecticut | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Washington | 2 | $947,654 |
| Iowa | 1 | $855,000 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $819,659 |
| Ohio | 1 | $798,047 |
| Delaware | 1 | $796,310 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | $796,309 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $746,184 |
| Missouri | 2 | $658,680 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $500,000 |