CFAs: Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program (US)

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is offering grant funding through the BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program (Funding Opportunity Number O-BJA-2026-172726). This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities and their criminal justice and victims’ services partners to identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence. The application deadline is 2 November 2026 (time zone not specified in the source). This NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) is designed to strengthen the capacity of wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities and their criminal justice and victims’ services partners. The goal is to help these organizations identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence more effectively and efficiently. The opportunity also aims to enhance public safety by:

Note: The estimated total program funding and the expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source text.

Eligible applicants listed in the Grants.gov entry include the following categories: The source specifies that other units of local government include: It also notes that states and counties with in-house post-conviction representation programs that demonstrate experience and competence in litigating postconviction claims of innocence are included under the eligibility clarification. The provided source describes the program’s purpose and outcomes, including strengthening WCR entities and partners to: Additional details on specific activities, priorities, or project requirements are not included in the provided source text. Applicants should consult the full NOFO linked below. Wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities and their partners play a critical role in ensuring that post-conviction claims of innocence are handled with appropriate capacity and processes. By supporting organizations that can identify, assess, and manage these claims, the program seeks to reduce the risk of future errors and improve accountability in the criminal justice system—while also supporting justice for victims.

Use the official opportunity link: BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program (O-BJA-2026-172726).

The Grants.gov page excerpt provided here does not include the full application steps, required documents, or submission method details. The source provides this contact for difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically:

1) What is the funding opportunity number for this program?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172726.

2) Who offers this grant opportunity?

It is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

3) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $600,000. The source does not specify a minimum beyond the listed floor of $0.

4) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The source states Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No.

5) What is the application deadline?

The original and current closing date is 2 November 2026. The source does not specify the deadline time or time zone.

6) Are nonprofits eligible?

Yes. The source lists nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status and also nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Applicants should confirm details in the full NOFO.

7) Where can I find the full NOFO details?

Use the official BJA opportunity page: BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program (O-BJA-2026-172726).

If your organization fits one of the eligible applicant categories and your work aligns with wrongful conviction review capacity and post-conviction claim management, review the full BJA NOFO for complete application instructions, required materials, and any project-specific requirements. Then plan your submission timeline to ensure you can submit your application by 2 November 2026. For more information, visit Grants.gov.