This site offers general information about this program based on the fiscal year 2009 award announcement (pdf) , which contains further detail and instruction. Requirements for funding in future years may differ.
The goal of NIJ's FY09 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program is to assist eligible States and units of local government to reduce forensic DNA sample turnaround time, increase the throughput of public DNA laboratories, and reduce DNA forensic casework backlogs. These improvements are critical to preventing future DNA backlogs and to helping the criminal justice system use the full potential of DNA technology.
Eligible States and units of local government may request funds to increase the capacity of their existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis in order to analyze DNA samples more efficiently and cost effectively. Eligible applicants also may request funds to handle, screen, and analyze backlogged forensic DNA casework samples.
Who Can Receive Funding
"States" Defined
For purposes of this announcement, the term "State" includes the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands also may be eligible for funding. Please contact NIJ at 202–616–1960 for additional information, including information on allocation of funds.
Eligible applicants for funding are States and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis that:
- Undergo external audits, not less than once every 2 years, to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
- Are accredited by a nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science that is nationally recognized within the forensic science community, and
- If applicable, have submitted an approved spend plan for each active award under the FY 2006 Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction and DNA Capacity Enhancement Programs.
- Potential applicants that have active projects funded under the FY 2006 Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction and DNA Capacity Enhancement Programs must submit a spend plan for each such active award for approval by the NIJ Program Manager. A spend plan must include detailed timelines for project completion, information that justifies that remaining project activities will be completed at proposed milestones, and a firm proposed date for the end of the project period. FY 2006 award spend plans that extend past September 30, 2009, must be reasonable and well justified. Spend plans must be submitted to an NIJ Program Manager no later than 30 days after this solicitation is posted, and approval by an NIJ Program Manager is required before consideration for FY 2009 funding. Recipients of FY 2009 awards with approved spend plans for active FY 2006 awards should be aware that they may not be eligible for extensions beyond the end date of the timeline associated with the spend plans they have submitted.
Units of local government that meet the eligibility requirements may apply directly to NIJ for a portion of the funds allocated for awards to their State.
Each eligible applicant must satisfy the specific application requirements outlined in this announcement (including those concerning allocation of funds, permissible expenses, timeliness, proper format, and responsiveness to the scope of the solicitation), the general requirements for NIJ and OJP grants, and all other applicable legal requirements.
