This opportunity will increase capacity of states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories to process DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The purpose of the CEBR Competitive Program is to maximize the effective utilization of DNA technology to strengthen evidence-based criminal justice responses.

For further details, please see the full Notice of Funding Opportunityhttps://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172680.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• County Governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Other units of local government
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

A state or unit of local government (or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the foregoing) that does not own, control, or operate a crime laboratory or laboratory system is not an eligible applicant under this program.

Match Requirement

This NOFO does not require cost sharing (match).

How to Apply & Deadlines

This grant has a two-step application process.

1. Step 1: Submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov. Grants.gov Application Deadline: 11:59pm ET on November 3, 2026.
2. Submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants. JustGrants Application Deadline: 8:59pm ET on November 10, 2026.

Please note that applications submitted through Grants.gov requires accounts for both Grants.gov and SAM.gov.

If you need help with Grants.gov, you can call 800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.

If you need help with SAM.gov, you can call 866-606-8220.

Contact

NOFO Contact:

Name: OJP Response Center
Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-
impaired callers only)
Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday

JustGrants Help Desk:

Phone: 833-872-5175
Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov
Hours: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday and 9:00
a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal
holidays.