Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2020 18017
The BJA FY 20 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), designed to help jurisdictions pursue unsolved homicide cold cases that are suspected of being racially motivated. The program focuses on providing practical financial support to move long-unsolved cases forward, from renewed investigative work through potential prosecution, while also recognizing the continuing impact these cases have on victims' families and affected communities.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: BJA 2020 18017) offers grant funding to cover costs tied directly to investigating and prosecuting eligible cold case homicides. In real terms, this can include investigative activities such as reviewing case files, re-interviewing witnesses, conducting new forensic testing where feasible, pursuing leads that were not available or actionable at the time of the original investigation, and coordinating with prosecutors to prepare cases for charging decisions. A key feature of the program is that it explicitly includes support for victims' families and other stakeholders impacted by these cases, which reflects an emphasis not only on solving crimes but also on addressing the long-term harm and trauma associated with racially motivated violence.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of governmental entities that typically house or oversee law enforcement and prosecutorial functions. This includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The intent is to ensure that the agencies most directly responsible for cold case investigations and prosecutions, including tribal jurisdictions, can access resources to restart or strengthen case work that may have stalled due to limited staffing, outdated evidence processing methods, or the passage of time.
The award ceiling for this solicitation is $300,000 per award, with an expectation of making approximately six awards. The opportunity was created on March 4, 2020, with an original application closing date of May 4, 2020. The program is associated with CFDA number 16.031 and falls under funding activity areas connected to law, justice, and legal services, with an additional categorization that references humanities and cultural affairs, reflecting the historical and community significance of addressing racially motivated cold case homicides.
Overall, the Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program is structured to help agencies take concrete steps toward accountability in cases that may have been neglected or left unresolved for decades, while pairing the investigative and prosecutorial work with attention to survivors, families, and communities who continue to live with the effects of these crimes.Apply for BJA 2020 18017
- The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 20 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations 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 Mar 04, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 04, 2020. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BJA FY 20 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program?
The BJA FY 20 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to help jurisdictions pursue unsolved homicide cold cases that are suspected of being racially motivated, supporting renewed investigative work through potential prosecution.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The program aims to provide practical financial support to move long-unsolved, racially motivated homicide cold cases forward. This includes funding work that can restart or strengthen investigations, support case development for prosecution, and acknowledge and address the continuing impact on victims' families and affected communities.
What types of cases does this program focus on?
The program focuses on unsolved homicide cold cases that are suspected of being racially motivated.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA 2020 18017.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Is this a discretionary grant or a formula grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
What kinds of activities can grant funds support?
Grant funds may cover costs tied directly to investigating and prosecuting eligible cold case homicides. Examples of supported activities described in the opportunity include:
- Reviewing existing case files
- Re-interviewing witnesses
- Conducting new forensic testing where feasible
- Pursuing leads that were not available or actionable at the time of the original investigation
- Coordinating with prosecutors to prepare cases for charging decisions
Does the program support prosecution-related work or only investigations?
It supports both investigation and prosecution efforts, including coordination with prosecutors and preparation of cases for charging decisions, where appropriate.
How does the program address victims' families and affected communities?
A key feature of the program is that it explicitly includes support for victims' families and other stakeholders impacted by these cases, reflecting an emphasis on both accountability and the long-term harm and trauma associated with racially motivated violence.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include governmental entities that typically house or oversee law enforcement and prosecutorial functions, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling for this solicitation is $300,000 per award.
Approximately how many awards does BJA expect to make?
The solicitation notes an expectation of making approximately six awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 4, 2020.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was May 4, 2020.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 16.031.
What funding activity areas are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under funding activity areas connected to law, justice, and legal services. It also includes a categorization referencing humanities and cultural affairs, reflecting the historical and community significance of addressing racially motivated cold case homicides.
Why does the program emphasize the historical and community significance of these cases?
The solicitation recognizes that racially motivated homicide cold cases can carry long-term impacts beyond the criminal investigation itself. The additional categorization referencing humanities and cultural affairs reflects the broader historical and community significance of resolving and addressing these cases.
What challenges is this funding meant to help agencies overcome?
The program is intended to help agencies restart or strengthen cold case work that may have stalled due to limited staffing, outdated evidence processing methods, or the passage of time.
What does "cold case" mean in the context of this program?
Based on the description provided, the term refers to long-unsolved homicide cases where renewed investigative work is needed to advance the case toward potential prosecution.
Does the program require that a case already be ready for prosecution?
The description indicates the program supports work from renewed investigative efforts through potential prosecution, suggesting it can fund steps to move cases forward even when additional investigation and preparation are still needed.
What is the overall purpose of the Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program?
Overall, the program is structured to help agencies take concrete steps toward accountability in racially motivated homicide cold cases that may have been neglected or left unresolved for decades, while pairing investigative and prosecutorial work with attention to survivors, families, and communities living with the effects of these crimes.
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