Even as evidence pours in faster than ever before—sexual assault kits, homicide samples, drug-fueled crime scene swabs—America’s forensic DNA laboratories continue showing up. They continue solving cases. They continue clearing backlogs that never really stop growing.
At a time when demand is climbing and traditional funding streams are uncertain, CEBR competitive funding represents not just a lifeline, but an opportunity for labs to build capacity in ways that will pay dividends for years to come.
On September 11, 2025, the Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the opening of the FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program. (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025).
Why This Funding Window Matters
States across the country have passed legislation mandating the testing of all sexual assault kits—often with no additional funding attached. Add in rising expectations for DNA analysis on property crimes and cold cases, and it’s clear why capacity challenges have become a defining issue.
CEBR grants are one of the few federal funding programs dedicated specifically to DNA. They are designed to maximize the effective use of DNA technology in accredited public labs—helping agencies reduce casework backlogs, improve turnaround times, and increase the number of profiles uploaded to CODIS.
This year’s competitive track is especially significant because it goes beyond formula funding. It prioritizes projects that lead to long-term improvements, whether through new instrumentation, workflow modernization, method validation, or the implementation of Rapid DNA at booking stations (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025).
What’s on the Table in FY25
The FY25 CEBR Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlines two categories of projects that will be considered for funding (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025):
- Category 1: Increasing lab capacity and efficiency
Supports projects that expand operational capacity, reduce turnaround time, and increase CODIS uploads. Funding may be used for personnel, automation, LIMS upgrades, method validation, or training. - Category 2: Rapid DNA at booking stations
Supports the implementation or expansion of Rapid DNA technology in booking environments, including acquisition, validation, integration, and staff training.
Key details for applicants:
- Total funds available: $3 million
- Award ceiling: $1 million per project
- Performance period: 24 months
- Grants.gov Deadline: October 22, 2025, 11:59 pm Eastern
- Application JustGrants Deadline: October 29, 2025, 8:59 pm Eastern
Importantly, applicants demonstrating the greatest need—such as long turnaround times or large backlogs—are likely to receive priority consideration (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025).
Lessons from the Field: How Grants Transform Labs
The best case for applying doesn’t come from theory. It comes from labs that have used funding strategically to modernize, innovate, and thrive.
Even modest awards through CEBR’s competitive funding track enabled high-impact pilot projects such as validating automated DNA extraction on legacy samples, expanding STRmix™ probabilistic interpretation, and conducting internal performance evaluations on Rapid DNA instruments. Labs that leveraged RTI’s Forensics TTA support- which provides technical assistance, training, and peer-learning-often reported stronger outcomes in competitive applications (RTI Forensics TTA, n.d.; Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2023)
Michigan State Police: Innovation with CEBR
With a competitive CEBR grant, the Michigan State Police validated low-input and degraded DNA extraction methods, enabling them to analyze difficult sexual assault kits and touch DNA cases. Within just 12 months, they saw a 17% increase in interpretable DNA profiles from complex evidence, while also hiring two additional DNA analysts directly supported by the grant.
As Lauren Lu, Assistant Division Director and Quality Assurance Manager, explained: “If we successfully validate the niche extraction methods, we can potentially yield a higher volume of good data and samples that can then be used to close criminal cases.” (Lu, 2024)
Five Strategies for Stronger CEBR Applications
For labs preparing to apply, lessons from past success stories and BJA’s application guidance point to five key strategies:
- Invest in Sustainable Capacity
Focus on projects that will provide measurable benefits beyond the 24-month grant period. Equipment upgrades, automation, and validated workflows tend to deliver the most lasting ROI (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025). - Tie Proposals to Baseline Data
BJA requires applicants to report backlog size, turnaround time, and CODIS upload numbers. The more clearly your project moves these metrics, the more competitive your application (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025). - Build Partnerships Early
For Rapid DNA initiatives, coordination across booking agencies, IT, and law enforcement is essential. Including letters of support or MOUs strengthens credibility (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2025). - Leverage Technical Assistance
RTI’s Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) program provides free coaching and peer support for labs applying to CEBR and Coverdell grants. Labs that use these resources often report stronger outcomes (RTI Forensics TTA, n.d.). - Tell Your Local Story
Congressional staff surveys show that 94% to 99% of lawmakers say in-person constituent visits strongly influence their decisions (Congressional Management Foundation, 2016). Labs that connect funding requests to real cases, local backlogs, and community impact make a far more compelling case.
Looking Ahead
The pressures on forensic DNA labs are not going away. Backlogs will continue to rise as demand outpaces resources. But the CEBR Competitive Grant program offers a chance to change that trajectory.
It’s not just about filling budget gaps. It’s about building systems that can withstand tomorrow’s demands—whether that means validating innovative methods, implementing Rapid DNA, or expanding CODIS uploads.
Upcoming Webinar: Learn More About CEBR Competitive Grants
BJA will host an informational webinar on the FY25 Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program on September 24, 2025, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Eastern.
This session will provide an overview of eligibility, requirements, and tips for applying under the new NOFO.
References:
- Bureau of Justice Assistance. (2025, September 11). FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) – Competitive Grants Program (O-BJA-2025-172441) Notice of Funding Opportunity. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved from https://bja.ojp.gov/program/dna-cebr/funding
- Bureau of Justice Assistance. (2025, September 24). FY25 Competitive DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program – Notice of Funding Opportunity Webinar. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved from https://bja.ojp.gov/events/fy25-competitive-dna-capacity-enhancement-backlog-reduction-cebr-program-notice-funding
- Lu, L. (2024, April 2). Michigan State Police used Competitive CEBR funds to enhance DNA extraction methods and boost interpretable profile yield by 17%. Bureau of Justice Assistance blog. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.ojp.gov/archive/news/ojp-blogs/safe-communities/dna-funding-forensics-labs-eases-case-backlogs
- Bureau of Justice Assistance. (2023, May). DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) program fact sheet (FY 2022 competitive and formula awards summary). U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/archive_fs-dna-cebr_5-2023.pdf
- RTI Forensics Training & Technical Assistance Program. (n.d.). Forensics TTA support for CEBR, Coverdell, and other BJA forensic grants. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Retrieved from https://bja.ojp.gov/program/forensics-tta/overview
- Congressional Management Foundation. (2016). Citizen-Centric Advocacy: How constituent visits influence lawmakers. Retrieved from https://www.congressfoundation.org/news/press-releases/1325-at-peak-of-citizen-activism-new-congressional-management-foundation-report-details-most-effective-means-of-contacting-congress