Forensic DNA Research and Development Funding
The Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funds research to improve the use of forensic DNA. This program's goal is to direct advances in human genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology toward the development of novel tools and technologies that will permit DNA to be used in all areas of criminal investigation.
NIJ provides opportunities for scientists from universities, crime laboratories, and other public and private sector agencies to compete for research and development grant funds. Examples of projects funded under NIJ's Forensic DNA R&D Program include mini-STRs for the examination of degraded DNA, mtDNA coding region SNPs for resolving the common mtDNA haplotypes, and novel real-time PCR assays for DNA quantitation and evidence screening.
Solicitations are announced on DNA.gov, the NIJ Web site, and Grants.gov. If currently there are no open research funding opportunities, you can:
- Review ongoing research projects and journal articles generated by NIJ-funded research.
- Read solicitations from previous years to get an idea of what types of projects are of interest to NIJ.
- Sign-up for an email alert from Grants.gov.
Focusing Research: DNA Forensics Technical Working Group
How does NIJ determine how to focus its research and development efforts so that the products developed are of the highest value to the practitioner community? Through the formation of Technical Working Groups (TWGs), NIJ reaches out to the practitioner community to identify, discuss, and prioritize operational needs and requirements. The DNA Forensics TWG meets semi-annually and is comprised of crime lab practitioners from various Federal, State, and local agencies as well as the private sector. Overall, the TWG process plays an important role in ensuring that ongoing and planned research and development activities continue to meet practitioner-driven needs. For more information, contact Lois Tully at the National Institute of Justice.
