Reduce SAK backlogs, solve more sexual assaults & reduce violent crime
CFDA Number(s): 16.833 — National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
Funding Opportunity Number: BJA-2019-15228
Grant Deadline: Apr. 9, 2019
Address the issue and impact of unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs)
This National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant program supports the Department of Justice’s mission by improving state and local jurisdictions’ capacities to respond to violent crime; and the functioning of the criminal justice system through the investigation and prosecution of cases resulting from SAK evidence and the collection of lawfully owed DNA.
What this grant does for your agency
This National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant program supports the Department of Justice’s mission by improving state and local jurisdictions’ capacities to respond to violent crime; and the functioning of the criminal justice system through the investigation and prosecution of cases resulting from SAK evidence and the collection of lawfully owed DNA.
What this grant does for your agency
SAKI supports the Department’s criminal justice priorities of reducing violent crime and
supporting law enforcement officers and prosecutors by:
(1) providing jurisdictions with resources to address sexual assault kits (SAKs) in their custody that have not been submitted to a forensic laboratory for testing by Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)-eligible DNA methodologies;
(2) improving investigation and prosecution in connection with evidence and cases resulting from the testing process; and
(3) providing sites with resources to collect DNA samples from qualifying individuals who should have a sample in CODIS (based on the type and time of the offense in relation to applicable state law), but from whom a sample has never been collected or submitted to a laboratory for testing.
As part of this work, BJA will provide investigators with assistance in how to more effectively question subjects, which could provide stronger investigative leads and build stronger prosecutions, which in turn could help solve more crimes.
In addition to unsubmitted SAKs, SAKI addresses partially tested SAKs, as defined below. This program is not directed at untested kits that have been submitted to forensic labs for testing with CODIS-eligible DNA methodologies but are delayed for testing for longer than 30 days, for example, as a result of a laboratory backlog. A separate program addresses laboratory backlogs and capacity.
Agencies awarded the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant receive funds to help them clear SAK backlogs.
Estimated Total Program Funding: $40,000,000
Award Ceiling: $2,500,000
Award Floor: $500,000
Expected Number of Awards: 28
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
Grant Eligibility
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:
Eligible applicants for Purpose Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 are state law enforcement agencies, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), as well as governmental non-law enforcement agencies acting as their fiscal agents, and prosecutor’s offices.
For Purpose Area 2, eligible applicants are limited to small law enforcement agencies with
fewer than 250 sworn officers or consortia of small law enforcement agencies, including tribal law enforcement agencies.
An applicant who previously received an award under the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) is eligible to apply for funding under all purpose areas included in this solicitation.
About the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
BJA helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system: Its grants, training and technical assistance, and policy development services provide state, local, and tribal governments with the cutting edge tools and best practices they need to reduce violent and drug-related crime, support law enforcement, and combat victimization. More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Tues., Apr. 9, 2019.
Apply
Apply for the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Competitive Grant