Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2016 9076
The Wrongful Conviction Review Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), focused on strengthening fairness in the criminal justice system by improving how wrongful convictions are identified and addressed after conviction. BJA frames the program against the backdrop of a sustained rise in post-conviction exonerations over the past two decades, emphasizing that wrongful convictions are not isolated events but a persistent problem that deserves systematic attention. While BJA also signals a broader commitment to prevention through evidence-based investigative practices and the use of appropriate technologies to reduce the risk of wrongful arrests and prosecutions from the earliest stages of a case, this specific program is aimed primarily at the back-end response: finding, reviewing, and litigating claims of innocence once a person has already been convicted.
At its core, the program is designed to support high-quality, efficient legal representation for defendants pursuing post-conviction claims of innocence. In practical terms, this funding is meant to help organizations do the intensive work that innocence cases require, such as reviewing trial records, reinvestigating facts, locating and re-interviewing witnesses, developing new evidence, pursuing forensic or DNA testing where applicable, and preparing and litigating post-conviction motions and related proceedings. The intent is to ensure that credible innocence claims are evaluated thoroughly and moved forward effectively, so that wrongful convictions can be detected and remedied without unnecessary delay.
Eligibility is limited to entities that are positioned to do innocence and post-conviction defense work. The solicitation allows applications from public and nonprofit organizations, including tribal nonprofit organizations, that are dedicated to exonerating the innocent; institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), which often includes innocence clinics and related legal programs; and state or local public defender offices. The listing also notes eligibility for certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), but only if they agree to forgo any profit or management fee, reinforcing that grant funds should be directed to casework and program costs rather than profit. The source data identifies eligible applicants more broadly as 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education in that specific category listing), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and "others," consistent with the narrative description that includes public defenders and higher education partners.
Administratively, this opportunity is cataloged under Funding Opportunity Number BJA 2016 9076 and CFDA 16.746, within the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity category. The grant instrument is a standard award grant, and the original application closing date was March 28, 2016, with the opportunity created on February 11, 2016. BJA anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per award, signaling a relatively targeted program intended to fund a small number of projects capable of delivering meaningful post-conviction innocence representation and review services.
Overall, the Wrongful Conviction Review Program reflects BJA's stated guiding principle of promoting a fair criminal justice system by investing in organizations that can rigorously examine potential miscarriages of justice and provide competent representation to people asserting innocence after conviction. The program is structured to support the specialized, resource-intensive work needed to uncover errors, validate innocence claims, and pursue appropriate legal remedies, while also aligning with BJA's broader interest in improving justice system practices to reduce wrongful outcomes in the first place.Apply for BJA 2016 9076
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Wrongful Conviction Review Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.746.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-02-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-03-28. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Others.
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Wrongful Conviction Review Program (BJA) - FAQs
What is the Wrongful Conviction Review Program?
The Wrongful Conviction Review Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is intended to strengthen fairness in the criminal justice system by improving how wrongful convictions are identified and addressed after a conviction has occurred.
What problem is this program trying to address?
BJA frames this program around a sustained rise in post-conviction exonerations over the past two decades. The program reflects the view that wrongful convictions are not isolated incidents, but a persistent issue that warrants systematic attention and dedicated resources.
Is this funding focused on preventing wrongful convictions or fixing them after conviction?
This specific program is primarily focused on the back-end response: finding, reviewing, and litigating claims of innocence after a person has already been convicted. BJA notes a broader commitment to prevention through evidence-based investigative practices and appropriate technologies, but the core purpose here is post-conviction review and litigation.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The program is designed to support high-quality, efficient legal representation for defendants pursuing post-conviction claims of innocence. The intent is to ensure credible innocence claims are evaluated thoroughly and advanced effectively, so wrongful convictions can be detected and remedied without unnecessary delay.
What kinds of work can grant funds support in innocence cases?
The program description highlights the intensive work typically required in post-conviction innocence matters, including reviewing trial records, reinvestigating facts, locating and re-interviewing witnesses, developing new evidence, pursuing forensic or DNA testing when applicable, and preparing and litigating post-conviction motions and related proceedings.
Does the program support forensic or DNA testing?
Yes. The program description explicitly mentions pursuing forensic or DNA testing where applicable as an example of the type of work this funding is meant to support.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to entities positioned to do innocence and post-conviction defense work. The solicitation allows applications from public and nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations) dedicated to exonerating the innocent, institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), and state or local public defender offices.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Institutions of higher education, including tribal institutions of higher education, are listed as eligible applicants. This often includes innocence clinics and related legal programs housed within universities.
Are state or local public defender offices eligible?
Yes. State or local public defender offices are specifically included among eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Public and nonprofit organizations, including tribal nonprofit organizations, that are dedicated to exonerating the innocent are eligible. The source data also identifies eligible applicants as including 501(c)(3) nonprofits (with a note in that specific category listing excluding institutions of higher education).
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes, certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are noted as eligible, but only if they agree to forgo any profit or management fee. This condition reinforces that grant funds should support casework and program costs rather than profit.
How many awards did BJA expect to make under this opportunity?
BJA anticipated making about five awards, indicating a relatively targeted program intended to fund a small number of projects.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $250,000 per award.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The grant instrument is described as a standard award grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA 2016 9076.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 16.746.
What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity category.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 11, 2016.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 28, 2016.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The program is structured to support the specialized, resource-intensive work needed to uncover errors, validate innocence claims, and pursue appropriate legal remedies. The broader goal is promoting a fair criminal justice system by investing in organizations capable of rigorously examining potential miscarriages of justice and moving credible claims forward efficiently.
Does the program description emphasize speed or thoroughness in post-conviction review?
Both. The program emphasizes high-quality, thorough evaluation of credible innocence claims while also aiming to remedy wrongful convictions without unnecessary delay.
Is the program limited to organizations that focus specifically on exonerations?
Eligibility is described as limited to entities positioned to do innocence and post-conviction defense work, and it explicitly includes organizations dedicated to exonerating the innocent. It also includes higher education programs (such as innocence clinics) and public defender offices that can carry out post-conviction innocence representation and review.
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| National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Apply for BJA 2016 8989 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8989 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| OJJDP FY 16 Mentoring Opportunities Apply for OJJDP 2016 9179 Funding Number: OJJDP 2016 9179 Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Technology Innovation for Public Safety (TIPS) Apply for BJA 2016 8994 Funding Number: BJA 2016 8994 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| National Initiatives: Reaching Criminal Justice Policymakers Apply for BJA 2016 9098 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9098 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| Violence Reduction Network: National Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for BJA 2016 9113 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9113 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Enhanced Collaborative Model to Combat Human Trafficking Apply for BJA 2016 9114 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9114 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Apply for BJA 2016 9201 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9201 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| OJJDP FY 16 Defending Childhood State Policy Initiative Apply for OJJDP 2016 9154 Funding Number: OJJDP 2016 9154 Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| The Price of Justice: Rethinking the Consequences of Justice Fines and Fees Apply for BJA 2016 9144 Funding Number: BJA 2016 9144 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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