Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2026 172773
The BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to help law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies pursue unresolved civil rights-era homicide cases by providing funding specifically for investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights violations that happened on or before December 31, 1979, where the offense resulted in a death. In practical terms, the program is meant to strengthen cold case capacity for historically significant cases that were never fully investigated, never prosecuted, or require renewed investigative effort because of new leads, improved investigative techniques, or a renewed ability to build a viable case.
This grant targets agencies that are directly involved in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and prosecution agencies such as local prosecutors. The NOFO uses an expanded definition of "state" that includes all U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and commonwealths, specifically Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. "Local" is also defined broadly to cover general purpose political subdivisions such as towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and similar local government entities. The listing also indicates eligibility under "Others," but the core focus is clearly on governmental justice agencies responsible for investigating and bringing cases forward.
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services under CFDA number 16.031. The maximum award amount listed (award ceiling) is $645,000. The opportunity was created on September 29, 2026, and the application deadline (original closing date) is November 13, 2026. While the number of expected awards is not specified in the provided data, the ceiling gives applicants a sense of the upper limit BJA may award per project under this solicitation.
Overall, this NOFO is aimed at supporting concrete investigative and prosecutorial work tied to pre-1980 civil rights death cases. Funding would typically be used to build or enhance the ability of agencies to review old case files, locate and re-interview witnesses, conduct forensic testing where evidence is available, digitize and analyze records, coordinate across jurisdictions, and support prosecution-focused case development where charges are legally viable. The central requirement is that the targeted offenses involve civil rights and occurred no later than the end of 1979, with a fatal outcome, aligning the program with the federal goal of addressing historically unresolved civil rights-era homicides through modern investigative and legal tools.
Key identifiers for this opportunity include the title "BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program" and the funding opportunity number "O-BJA-2026-172773," which applicants would use to locate the full NOFO and submission instructions through the relevant federal grants portal and BJA guidance materials.Apply for O BJA 2026 172773
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.031.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-13. (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 $645,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The program provides funding to support the investigation and prosecution of certain unresolved civil rights-era homicide cases.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program is designed to help law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies pursue unresolved civil rights-era homicide cases by strengthening cold case capacity and supporting concrete investigative and prosecution-focused work on eligible cases.
What types of cases does this program support?
This program supports investigations and prosecutions of criminal civil rights violations that occurred on or before December 31, 1979, where the offense resulted in a death.
Is there a date limit for eligible offenses?
Yes. The criminal civil rights violation must have occurred on or before December 31, 1979.
Does the case have to involve a homicide or death to be eligible?
Yes. The covered offense must have resulted in a death.
What does the program mean by "unresolved" cases?
Based on the provided description, the program focuses on historically significant cold cases that were never fully investigated, were never prosecuted, or need renewed investigative effort due to new leads, improved investigative techniques, or a renewed ability to build a viable case.
Who is eligible to apply for this funding?
Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and prosecution agencies such as local prosecutors. The opportunity also lists eligibility under "Others," but the described core focus is on governmental justice agencies responsible for investigation and prosecution.
Which organizations are considered "state" applicants for this NOFO?
The NOFO uses an expanded definition of "state" that includes all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and commonwealths: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
What does "local" mean for eligibility purposes?
"Local" is defined broadly to include general purpose political subdivisions such as towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, and similar local government entities.
Are tribal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Tribal law enforcement agencies are listed among eligible applicants.
Are prosecution agencies eligible, or is this only for law enforcement?
Prosecution agencies are eligible. The description specifically includes prosecution agencies such as local prosecutors, in addition to law enforcement agencies.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number and activity category associated with this opportunity?
The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services under CFDA number 16.031.
What is the maximum award amount available under this solicitation?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $645,000.
Does the provided information say how many awards BJA expects to make?
No. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on September 29, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline (original closing date) is November 13, 2026.
What types of activities might grant funds be used for?
The description indicates funding would typically be used to build or enhance agency capacity to review old case files, locate and re-interview witnesses, conduct forensic testing where evidence is available, digitize and analyze records, coordinate across jurisdictions, and support prosecution-focused case development where charges are legally viable.
Is the funding intended for general cold case work, or only certain cold cases?
It is intended for cold case work tied specifically to unresolved civil rights-era death cases with offenses occurring on or before December 31, 1979.
What is the official title of the grant opportunity?
The official title is "BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172773.
Where would an applicant use the funding opportunity number?
Applicants would use the funding opportunity number to locate the full NOFO and submission instructions through the relevant federal grants portal and BJA guidance materials.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
What is the central requirement emphasized by the opportunity description?
The central requirement is that the targeted offenses involve civil rights, occurred no later than December 31, 1979, and resulted in a death, with funding aimed at investigative and prosecutorial work aligned to those cases.
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