Fund your DNA testing with public grants
Public grant programs have played a crucial role in advancing forensic science. They’ve helped laboratories reduce backlogs, apply advanced DNA techniques to cold cases, and improve turnaround times — ultimately delivering answers to survivors, families, and communities who have waited too long.
There are many funding options available to help offset the cost of DNA testing. We’ve listed several sources that can be leveraged in addition to your traditional budget. DNA Labs International can be allocated as your designated partner within a grant, and our team is happy to assist with the application and management of grant funds.
We have the expertise to help you leverage grant funding effectively and achieve the greatest possible impact.
- National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the SAKI grant is a competitive initiative to address unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs). Learn More
- Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this grant provides competitive funding to labs and agencies to address unresolved violent crime. Learn More
- Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this grant provides competitive funding to help cover the cost of DNA testing in an effort to exonerate the wrongly convicted. Learn More
- Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this competitive program provides funding to improve the reporting, transportation, processing, and identification of missing persons and unidentified human remains. Learn More
- Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Programs: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the CEBR programs have a formula and competitive option designed for accredited forensic labs that wish to conduct DNA analysis for entry into CODIS and want to increase their DNA capacity. Learn More
- Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Programs: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, this grant offers both a formula and competitive option and is designed to support the quality and timeliness of forensic, medical examiner, and coroner services in the state. Funds can be used for validation and training for CODIS compatible and forensic genetic genealogy workflows. Learn More
- Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Programs: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), these programs are formula grants with both a local solicitation and a state solicitation designed to support state, local, and tribal jurisdictions in the collaborative prevention or reduction of crime and violence. Learn More
- Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program: Provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this grant is designed to provide assistance with the investigation and prosecution of cold case murders associated with civil rights violations. Learn More
- Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN): Provided by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Neighborhoods is a multifunctional program designed to identify local violent crime issues and provide comprehensive methods to address them. Learn More
- Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Grants:Provided by the Department of Justice, there are several COPS grants available to provide more resources, such as training and technical assistance to communities and law enforcement in order to promote public safety. Learn More
- Season of Justice: Season of Justice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing funding to help solve cold cases and bring resolution to those impacted by unsolved violent crimes. Learn More
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can provide forensic case resources for law enforcement working cases where a victim is suspected to be under 18. Learn More
- Community Projects Funding: Community projects funding, sometimes referred to as “earmarks”, are local projects that are funded by state representatives. Check your local resources for additional information.