BJA FY 21 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance Program | O BJA 2021 60001

Opportunity Information: Apply for O BJA 2021 60001

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 21 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions (ROL/WCR) Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity designed to strengthen the integrity of the criminal justice system by supporting due process and improving how post-conviction claims of innocence are handled. The central focus is on helping wrongful conviction review entities (often called WCR entities) that represent individuals who maintain innocence after conviction. In practical terms, the program is aimed at supporting organizations and initiatives that take a serious, structured look back at individual cases to determine whether a miscarriage of justice occurred and what steps are needed to address it.

This opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning BJA typically expects to have an active role in the project beyond simply issuing funds. Cooperative agreements often involve closer coordination with the funding agency, including participation in planning discussions, progress check-ins, and alignment with federal program goals. The solicitation frames the work as both “site-based” and “training and technical assistance,” signaling two broad pathways: direct support to programs doing hands-on wrongful conviction case review work in real jurisdictions, and broader capacity-building support that helps the field improve skills, practices, and consistency through training, resources, and technical guidance.

The program’s stated purpose is to uphold the rule of law by ensuring that the justice system operates with consistency, fairness, and respect for due process. While wrongful conviction work naturally centers on identifying and remedying errors, the larger policy goal is systemic: improving reliability, strengthening procedures, and reinforcing public confidence that convictions are accurate and lawful. By funding entities that review claims of innocence after conviction, the program acknowledges that post-conviction review is a critical safeguard, especially when new evidence emerges, forensic science evolves, witnesses recant, or earlier investigative and legal decisions are called into question.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants that might be positioned to conduct or support this kind of work. Eligible applicants listed in the opportunity include state governments; city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status; nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education); and other entities as permitted by the solicitation. This wide eligibility list reflects the reality that wrongful conviction review efforts may be led by innocence organizations, legal service providers, university clinics, government units, or collaborative partnerships across sectors.

Key identifying details for the opportunity include the funding opportunity title, “BJA FY 21 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance Program,” and the funding opportunity number “O-BJA-2021-60001.” The CFDA number associated with the program is 16.746. The original application closing date was April 7, 2021, and the opportunity was created on January 8, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $450,000, which indicates the maximum amount that could be awarded per grant under this solicitation. The source data notes “ExpectedAwards:” but does not provide a number, so the total number of awards anticipated is not specified in the excerpt provided.

Overall, the grant opportunity is positioned as a targeted investment in post-conviction innocence review capacity and the broader infrastructure that supports accurate, fair outcomes in the justice system. It emphasizes case review work for individuals asserting innocence after conviction, while also signaling that training and technical assistance are part of the strategy to improve how wrongful conviction claims are evaluated, managed, and resolved across jurisdictions.

• The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the affordable care act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 21 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance 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 2021-01-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-07. (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 $450,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

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