Solving Cold Cases with DNA Funding Program
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Description and Goals
Several law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and crime labs across the country have established innovative programs to review old cases. Often called "cold case units," these programs have enabled criminal justice officials to solve cases that have languished for years without suspects. Most frequently, DNA evidence has been the linchpin in solving these cases. For instance, this past July a California man was found guilty of the 1974 rape-homicide of a 19-year-old pregnant woman—a case that was solved through DNA evidence nearly 30 years after the crime was committed.
Under this program, the National Institute of Justice has funded states and units of local government for funding to identify, review, and investigate "violent crime cold cases" that have the potential to be solved using DNA analysis and to locate and analyze biological evidence associated with these cases.
Applying for Funding
Funding under this program is available periodically through a competitive solicitation process administered by the National Institute of Justice. To apply for this, or any funding from the National Institute of Justice, you must first register with the Office of Justice Programs' Grants Management System, Grants.gov or both.
When applying for funding under this program, review carefully the full text of the solicitation. When the solicitation is open, it will by listed on NIJ's Current Funding page. If the solicitation is not open, you may review past solicitations for information purposed only as the specific requirements and goals of the program may change from year to year.
