Title
NIJ FY17 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
Agencies
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Description
Since the advent of forensic DNA analysis, a growing number of Americans convicted of violent crimes have been exonerated through DNA analysis of evidence that was untested at the time of trial. New technologies have increased the likelihood of successful DNA analysis of aged, degraded, limited, or otherwise compromised biological evidence. As a result, crime scene samples once thought to be unsuitable for testing may now yield viable DNA profiles. Moreover, samples that had previously generated inconclusive DNA results may be amenable to reanalysis using newer methods.
NIJ provides funding to help defray the costs (e.g., of additional personnel, overtime, testing supplies and services, etc.) associated with postconviction DNA testing for violent felony offenses (as defined by State law) in which actual innocence might be demonstrated. Funds may be used to review suitable postconviction cases and to locate and analyze biological evidence. Only a limited portion of funds may be used for case identification activities.
This program was previously titled the Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program. NIJ has made awards for postconviction DNA testing assistance in each fiscal year since 2008.
Prior to fiscal year 2015, NIJ invited applications from States only. In order for a State’s application to be considered eligible in those years, the State was required to submit with its application an express certification from the applicant State’s chief legal officer (typically the Attorney General) regarding the applicant State’s provision of postconviction DNA testing, and its laws and practices addressing the preservation of biological evidence. Since fiscal year 2015, NIJ has expanded eligibility under this program to include units of local government and public institutions of higher education. This is expected to better reflect the diversity of institutions that are engaged in postconviction DNA testing efforts. Certification from the State’s chief legal officer as to State procedures regarding evidence retention and access to postconviction DNA testing (see Section D. What an Application Should Include) is no longer required at the time of application, but must be submitted before funds can be accessed.
More Information
https://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2017-11060.pdf
Submission Limits
Under this solicitation, only one application by any particular applicant entity will be considered. An entity may, however, be proposed as a subrecipient (“subgranteeâ€) in more than one application.
Deadlines
Internal Notice of Intent |
Mar 30, 2017 |
Notification of Internal Competition |
Mar 31, 2017 |
Internal Pre-proposal |
Apr 7, 2017 |
Results of Internal Competition |
Apr 14, 2017 |
Agency Notice of Intent/Pre-proposal |
N/A |
Agency Proposal |
May 9, 2017
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