Prosecuting Cold Cases using DNA and Other Forensic Technologies, FY 2019 | NIJ 2019 15627

Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2019 15627

The Prosecuting Cold Cases using DNA and Other Forensic Technologies, FY 2019 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2019 15627) is a discretionary grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). It is designed to help jurisdictions move long-unsolved violent crime investigations toward resolution by funding the prosecution side of cold cases and the forensic work needed to support those prosecutions. The program sits at the intersection of law and justice services and forensic science and technology, reflecting NIJ's role in supporting practical, evidence-based tools that strengthen the criminal justice system.

The solicitation lays out two core goals. First, it aims to support the prosecution of violent crime cold cases in situations where a suspect has already been identified. Second, it seeks to reduce the overall number of unresolved violent crime cold cases by helping agencies take the remaining steps that turn stalled investigations into actionable cases. In practice, the grant focuses on giving prosecutors and their law enforcement partners the resources they need to re-examine evidence, complete targeted forensic testing, and build prosecutable cases that can withstand modern legal and scientific scrutiny.

A key emphasis of the opportunity is the use of DNA and other forensic technologies as pathways to resolution. Funding can support the processes that commonly stand between an identified suspect and a viable prosecution, such as completing forensic analyses, interpreting results, and integrating those findings into a case strategy. While the title highlights DNA, the description makes clear the broader intent is to use appropriate forensic tools to advance violent crime cold cases, especially where scientific testing or re-testing of evidence is likely to clarify what happened, strengthen proof, or address unanswered questions that have prevented charging or conviction.

The eligible applicant pool is intentionally broad for a criminal justice program. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The solicitation also notes that additional eligibility clarification may apply under an "Others" category referenced in the full announcement. This structure is meant to accommodate the wide variety of agencies that may be responsible for cold case prosecution work, including prosecutor offices, law enforcement agencies working jointly with prosecutors, or multi-agency units formed to address serious unresolved crimes.

From a funding standpoint, awards are grants with an award ceiling of $500,000 per award. NIJ anticipated making around 22 awards under this FY 2019 solicitation, suggesting a competitive program aimed at a limited number of well-developed projects rather than very small awards spread across many jurisdictions. The opportunity was created on March 28, 2019, with an original closing date of May 28, 2019, which indicates a typical federal application window of roughly two months.

The grant is tied to broader Department of Justice priorities, particularly reducing violent crime and supporting law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The underlying message is that cold cases remain an important public safety and justice issue, and that improved forensic capabilities can help convert older cases into successful prosecutions when the investigative foundation is already strong enough to point to a suspect but additional scientific or technical work is needed to reach resolution. The program is associated with CFDA number 16.560, aligning it with NIJ assistance programs that fund criminal justice research, development, and practical implementation efforts.

• The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Prosecuting Cold Cases using DNA and Other Forensic Technologies, FY 2019" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.560.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 28, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 22 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NIJ 2019 15627

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