BJA FY24 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program | O BJA 2024 172013

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BJA FY24 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program?

It is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The program is designed to help move forward investigations and prosecutions in long-unsolved homicide cases where there is reason to believe the crimes were racially motivated or connected to civil rights violations.

What kinds of cases is this program meant to support?

The focus is on long-unsolved homicide cases tied to suspected racial motivation and/or civil rights violations, including civil-rights-era and similar cold case homicides. The program is intended to help address cases that were historically under-investigated, mishandled, or left without accountability.

What is the main purpose of the funding?

The purpose is to strengthen state, local, and tribal capacity to revisit and advance cold case homicide investigations and to develop cases that are suitable for lawful prosecution. The emphasis is on doing the real work needed to move a case from investigation toward prosecution, not just conducting an isolated review.

What types of activities does the grant support for cold case work?

The program description highlights activities such as reviewing old evidence, locating and interviewing witnesses, re-examining records, using modern investigative techniques, and building prosecutable cases in partnership with prosecutors and other key stakeholders.

Why does the program emphasize coordination between investigators and prosecutors?

The solicitation reflects a coordinated investigation-to-prosecution approach. The stated purpose signals that applicants should be prepared to show how investigative work will connect to prosecutorial strategy, including case screening, legal analysis, and evidence development that meets courtroom standards.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, as well as prosecution offices. This aligns with the program goal of supporting coordinated investigation and prosecution efforts.

Are partnerships encouraged, and who can be a partner?

Yes. The solicitation specifically encourages applicants to work with partners. Examples mentioned include forensic laboratories, medical examiner or coroner offices, civil rights organizations, community groups, historians, universities, and other entities that can help locate records, preserve or interpret historical materials, or support trauma-informed victim and family engagement.

Does the program fund only investigative work, or can it support prosecution-focused work too?

The program is intended to support both investigation and prosecution readiness. The description emphasizes building prosecutable cases and connecting investigative steps with prosecutorial strategy, including legal analysis and evidence development suited to courtroom standards.

How does the program address challenges unique to older homicide cases?

The program is meant to help agencies overcome common cold case barriers caused by the passage of time, such as witnesses being difficult to locate, fading memories, incomplete records, and physical evidence that may require advanced testing or careful re-handling.

What kinds of resources can the funding help provide?

Based on the program description, funding can support time, staff, and specialized resources needed for complex cold case work. Examples cited include investigative overtime or dedicated cold case personnel, coordination between investigators and prosecutors, and efforts that increase the likelihood a case can be brought to court when evidence supports prosecution.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $750,000 per award. Applicants can request up to that amount, subject to the solicitation's detailed budget rules and applicable cost principles.

How many awards does BJA expect to make?

BJA expects to make about three awards under this opportunity.

Is this opportunity competitive or non-competitive?

It is a competitive grant opportunity.

What is the funding instrument?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 16.031.

What is the funding activity category listed for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is listed as Humanities, reflecting the program's civil rights and historical justice orientation and the frequent need to work with archival materials and historical documentation alongside traditional investigative resources.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2024-172013.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 6, 2024.

What was the application closing date?

The original application closing date was May 28, 2024.

How does the program frame civil rights considerations within criminal investigation goals?

The program has a civil rights emphasis and implies attention to the broader context of these crimes, including patterns of racial violence, institutional failures, and community impact. At the same time, it keeps the central goal on evidence-based investigation and lawful prosecution of homicide offenses.

What should an applicant be prepared to describe in an application, based on the stated purpose?

Based on the purpose language provided, applicants should be prepared to explain how they will operationally connect investigative work with prosecutorial strategy, including how they will conduct case screening, legal analysis, and evidence development that can support courtroom standards, potentially in collaboration with partners who can help with records, historical materials, and victim/family engagement.