Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2020 18439
The BJA FY 20 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence - Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), focused on helping jurisdictions get a clear, accountable handle on sexual assault kits (SAKs). The central purpose is not to pay for laboratory testing, but to support the foundational work that makes testing decisions timely, transparent, and defensible: building or strengthening an inventory of kits, creating reliable tracking practices, and reporting out the status of kits in a way that helps decision-makers understand what exists, where it is, and what is happening with it.
A core expectation of this program is that applicants do more than just count kits. Jurisdictions are expected to identify and prioritize kits connected to cases where prosecution could soon be blocked by the expiration of the applicable statute(s) of limitations. In practical terms, the program is pushing applicants to put a method in place to flag time-sensitive cases, document why they are time-sensitive, and ensure those kits rise to the top of the list for downstream actions such as testing through other funding sources. Because the Office of Justice Programs offers separate programs (through BJA and NIJ) that can fund testing, this specific program is designed to strengthen the intake, management, and decision workflow that surrounds the evidence, rather than covering the cost of the actual forensic analysis.
Applications are expected to include detailed plans describing how the applicant will clearly identify potentially time-limited cases within its SAK inventory, what systems or procedures will be used to track those cases over time, and how the jurisdiction will report on what happens to them during the award period. That reporting emphasis signals an accountability framework: the grant is meant to produce measurable improvements in how evidence is documented and monitored, and to show the disposition of prioritized, statute-of-limitations-sensitive cases as work progresses. In other words, the program is not just about setting up a spreadsheet or database; it is about implementing a process that can support consistent decision-making and public stewardship of evidence.
Eligible applicants include state governments and units of local government such as counties, cities or townships, and special district governments, with additional eligibility details referenced in the opportunity materials. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary. The CFDA number associated with the program is 16.741, and activity categories span areas such as law and justice, information and statistics, and science and technology-related research and development, reflecting the mix of criminal justice administration and evidence-management infrastructure involved.
From an award structure standpoint, the listed maximum award amount is $1,000,000, with an expectation of around five awards. The opportunity was created on April 16, 2020, and the original application closing date was June 15, 2020. The opportunity number is BJA 2020 18439. Overall, the program is best understood as an evidence-management and case-prioritization initiative aimed at improving visibility and accountability around sexual assault kits, with a specific emphasis on preventing cases from becoming non-prosecutable simply because key evidence was not identified and prioritized before legal time limits ran out.Apply for BJA 2020 18439
- The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 20 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence - Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.741.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 16, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the BJA FY 20 Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence - Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting Program?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It focuses on helping jurisdictions create or strengthen the foundational systems and processes needed to manage sexual assault kits (SAKs), including building an inventory, improving tracking practices, and reporting kit status in a clear and accountable way.
2. What is the main purpose of this grant?
The main purpose is to improve visibility, accountability, and decision-making around sexual assault kits by supporting inventory development, reliable tracking workflows, and consistent reporting. The program is meant to help jurisdictions understand what kits exist, where they are, and what is happening with them over time.
3. Does this program pay for laboratory testing of sexual assault kits?
No. The central purpose is not to pay for laboratory testing. Instead, the program supports the evidence-management work that makes testing decisions timely, transparent, and defensible. Other Office of Justice Programs programs (through BJA and NIJ) may fund testing, but this program is aimed at the surrounding intake, management, and decision workflow.
4. What kinds of activities does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes (1) building or strengthening an inventory of sexual assault kits, (2) creating reliable tracking practices, and (3) reporting the status and disposition of kits in a way that supports accountability and informed decision-making during the award period.
5. Is simply counting kits enough to meet the program expectations?
No. A core expectation is that jurisdictions do more than just count kits. Applicants are expected to identify and prioritize kits connected to cases where prosecution may soon be blocked by the expiration of applicable statute(s) of limitations.
6. What does it mean to prioritize statute-of-limitations-sensitive cases?
It means the jurisdiction should put a method in place to flag time-sensitive cases, document why they are time-sensitive, and ensure those kits rise to the top of the list for downstream actions. The goal is to prevent cases from becoming non-prosecutable because key evidence was not identified and prioritized before legal time limits expire.
7. What must applicants describe in their application plans?
Applications are expected to include detailed plans describing how the applicant will clearly identify potentially time-limited cases within its SAK inventory, what systems or procedures will be used to track those cases over time, and how the jurisdiction will report on what happens to them during the award period.
8. Why is reporting such a major part of this program?
The reporting emphasis signals an accountability framework. The grant is meant to produce measurable improvements in how evidence is documented and monitored and to show the disposition of prioritized, statute-of-limitations-sensitive cases as work progresses.
9. What outcome is this grant trying to achieve?
The program is aimed at improving visibility and accountability around sexual assault kits and strengthening the processes that support consistent decision-making and public stewardship of evidence, with a specific emphasis on preventing cases from becoming non-prosecutable due to missed legal time limits.
10. Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state governments and units of local government such as counties, cities or townships, and special district governments. The opportunity materials reference additional eligibility details.
11. What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
12. Is this a discretionary or formula grant opportunity?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
13. What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 16.741.
14. What activity categories does the program fall under?
The activity categories span areas such as law and justice, information and statistics, and science and technology-related research and development, reflecting the mix of criminal justice administration and evidence-management infrastructure involved.
15. What is the maximum award amount?
The listed maximum award amount is $1,000,000.
16. How many awards are expected to be made?
There is an expectation of around five awards.
17. What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity number is BJA 2020 18439.
18. When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 16, 2020.
19. What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was June 15, 2020.
20. How should this program be understood in simple terms?
It is best understood as an evidence-management and case-prioritization initiative focused on improving how sexual assault kits are inventoried, tracked, and reported, particularly to ensure time-sensitive cases are identified and prioritized before statutes of limitations expire.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Information and Statistics, Law, Justice and Legal Services, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Community Supervision Report Card in the Iowa Department of Corrections
Previous opportunity: Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for BJA 2020 18439
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "BJA 2020 18439", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.