Synopsis

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program. This opportunity strengthens the capacity of wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities and their criminal justice and victims’ services partners to more effectively and efficiently identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence. Additionally, it aims to enhance public safety by preventing future errors, identifying actual perpetrators of crimes, and delivering justice to victims.
Response Date	Nov 02, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST
Posting Date	Sep 21, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Archive Date
Award Ceiling	600,000
Award Floor	N/a
Cost Sharing	No

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, County governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), State governments, Private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification), City or township governments, Special district governments

Additional Info on Eligibility:

Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this NOFO, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state. States and counties that have in-house post-conviction representation programs that show demonstrable experience and competence in litigating postconviction claims of innocence.

Additional Information

Agency Name	Bureau of Justice Assistance
Link to Additional Information:	https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2026-172726
Grantor Contact Information:	If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: GrantSolutions Help Desk Phone: 202-514-9354

CFDA Program(s)

• 16.746: Capital Case Litigation Initiative