Forensic DNA Research and Development
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 whenever NIJ releases a new solicitation.
Funded Awards
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| Year | Title | Category | Awardee | Amount | Award Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Identifying and Communicating Genetic Determinants of Facial Features:Practical Considerations in Forensic Molecular Photofitting | Alternative Genetic Markers | Pennsylvania State University | $500,000 | 2008-DN-BX-K125 |
| 2008 | Microdevice for Sperm and Sperm DNA Isolation | Sperm Detection and Separation | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $445,673 | 2008-IJ-R-134 |
| 2008 | Global mtDNA Databasing Project | Mitochondrial DNA | Armed Forces Institute of Pathology | $2,572,553 | 2005-DN-R-086 |
| 2008 | Closed System DNA Purification for Degraded and Compromised Evidence in Microfluidic Devices | Miniaturization and Automation | University of Virginia | $480,000 | 2008-DN-BX-K144 |
| 2008 | Human Specific DNA Quantitation for Fully Integrated Microfluidic STR Analysis | Miniaturization and Automation | Network Biosystems Inc. | $494,319 | 2008-DN-BX-K009 |
| 2008 | De-convolution of Body Fluid Mixtures: Cell Type Identification and Single Source Genetic Profiling of Micro-Dissected Cells | General Tools and Information | University of Central Florida | $415,776 | 2008-DN-BX-K007 |
| 2008 | NIJ Proposal to Enhance Methods for Studying Degraded DNA | Compromised DNA Evidence | Washington State University, Spokane | $595,196 | 2008-DN-BX-K008 |
| 2008 | Identification and Separation of Same Gender Mixtures of Various Cell Types Using Interphase FISH Techniques and Laser Microdissection | General Tools and Information | Bode Technology Group Inc | $125,773 | 2008-IJ-CX-K016 |
| 2008 | High Throughput Mass Spectrometry to Exploit Genetic Differences in Same-Length STR Alleles | Alternative Genetic Markers | Ibis Biosciences, Inc | $649,821 | 2008-DN-BX-K304 |
| 2008 | Development of a DNA-Based Real-Time PCR assay for Identification of Semen, Blood and Saliva | General Tools and Information | Towson University | $170,643 | 2008-DN-BX-K137 |
| 2008 | Sample Collection Systems for DNA Analysis of Forensic Evidence Samples | Miniaturization and Automation | Network Biosystems, Inc. | $498,563 | 2008-DN-BX-K010 |
| 2008 | Rapid STR Prescreening of Forensic Samples at the Crime Scene | General Tools and Information | Midwest Research Institute | $498,064 | 2008-DN-BX-K012 |
| 2008 | Establishment of a Fast and Accurate Proteomic Method for Body Fluid/Cell Type | General Tools and Information | New York City, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner | $426,080 | 2008-DN-BX-K011 |
| 2008 | Development of a DNA-Based Multi-Species Identification and Quantification Assay | Non-human DNA | University of California, Davis | $538,653 | 2008-DN-BX-K288 |
| 2008 | Holographic Optical Trapping in Forensic Research and Development: Application to Rape Kit Analysis | Sperm Detection and Separation | Arryx, Inc | $251,026 | 2008-DN-BX-K123 |
| 2008 | Detection and quantitation of spermatozoa | Sperm Detection and Separation | Paternity Testing Corporation | $361,651 | 2008-IJ-CX-K007 |
| 2008 | Taq Mutants Engineered for Forensics | General Tools and Information | DNA Polymerase Technology, Inc | $200,621 | 2008-DN-BX-K299 |
[1] Not included in this list are projects funded under broad Interagency Agreements, only a portion of which was used for forensic DNA research and development.
