Plan for the long run. Grants are competitive and time-limited. The agencies that sustain genetic genealogy treat it as a line item in their budget, the way they treat CODIS. Use the sources below to supplement that budget, or to bridge the gap while you build it.
Which source fits your caseA starting point
SourceViolent cold caseUnidentified remainsPostconvictionCivil rights, pre-1980
Federal grantsSAKI and National Cold CaseCan fund a whole unitFitsFitsNot coveredNot covered
COLDSuspect profile must existFits, with conditionsNot coveredNot coveredNot covered
MUHRRuled homicides onlyNot coveredFits, with conditionsNot coveredNot covered
Postconviction TestingBJA approval to uploadNot coveredNot coveredFits, with conditionsNot covered
Byrne JAGThrough your allocationFits, with conditionsFits, with conditionsFits, with conditionsFits, with conditions
Emmett TillNot coveredNot coveredNot coveredFits
No-cost help and nonprofitsFBI genetic genealogy teamNo cost to the agencyFitsFitsNot coveredNot covered
Season of JusticeNot for victim ID aloneFitsNot coveredNot coveredNot covered
DNA Doe ProjectAgency pays lab costsNot coveredFitsNot coveredNot covered
FitsFits, with conditionsNot covered
Federal grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Most federal funding for genetic genealogy comes through programs run by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Each one opens once a year. Award sizes, deadlines and the number of awards change every year, so always work from the current solicitation. You'll find them all on BJA's funding page.
| Program | What it funds | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| SAKI and the National Cold Case Initiative | Violent cold cases, including homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery and missing or unidentified persons. Can fund a whole cold case unit, including in-house genealogists. | The cold case category requires your jurisdiction to have addressed its unsubmitted sexual assault kits and most of their follow-up first. Partner agreements with a multidisciplinary team are required. |
| Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) | Prosecution of violent cold cases where the suspect's DNA profile already exists. Genetic genealogy is allowed when CODIS finds no match. | A prosecutor must lead or sign on. It can't pay for testing evidence to find a profile in the first place. |
| Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) | Testing and identification of missing persons and unidentified remains. Labs, medical examiners and universities can apply. | Genetic genealogy is limited to remains in a ruled homicide. Undetermined cases need BJA approval, and another DNA method must be tried first. |
| Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence | Locating evidence and DNA testing in violent felony cases where testing could show a convicted person is innocent. | Requires certification from your state's chief legal officer. Any upload to a genealogy database needs written BJA approval first. |
| Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) | A formula grant split by population and violent crime. It can pay for DNA testing, including genetic genealogy under the DOJ policy. | Your share is already allocated. Ask your city or county grants office, or your State Administering Agency, to put some of it toward genetic genealogy. |
| Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations | Unsolved civil rights crimes that resulted in a death on or before December 31, 1979. | Narrow by design. Check that your case fits the program's definition first. |
| Wrongful Conviction Review, Hate Crimes and Project Safe Neighborhoods | Can support genetic genealogy when the case fits the program's purpose. | Check each year's solicitation for allowable costs. |
Beyond federal grants
| Source | What it offers | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| FBI genetic genealogy team | Genetic genealogy support at no cost to the agency. Contact your FBI field office. | BJA strongly recommends the FBI team for grant-funded cases. Using an outside provider instead needs a written justification. |
| Season of Justice | A nonprofit that funds DNA testing, including genetic genealogy, for agencies and families, along with awareness campaigns. | Grants are awarded in quarterly rounds. It doesn't fund cases where the only goal is identifying a victim. |
| DNA Doe Project | Volunteer genealogists work unidentified remains cases at no charge. | The agency pays lab work, upload fees and a case management fee. Check their current price schedule. |
| State programs | Some states fund genetic genealogy directly. Florida's Department of Law Enforcement, for example, reimburses Florida agencies and medical examiners for SNP testing, genealogy and investigator travel. | Eligibility and funding vary by state. Florida requires a profile already searching in the state DNA index. Ask your state crime lab or attorney general's office what exists. |
Legislation to watch
The Carla Walker Act (S. 1890) would create dedicated federal grants for genetic genealogy analysis and for database searching. It passed the Senate in June 2026. Until it's enacted and funded, it doesn't pay for anything.
How to apply for a federal grant
A federal application, in order5 steps
- 01Register in SAM.govGet or renew your Unique Entity ID.30+ days ahead
- 02Line up cases and partnersCase inventory, plus agreements with your prosecutor, lab and medical examiner.Months ahead
- 03File the SF-424 on Grants.govThe short first step. Miss it and you can’t apply.First deadline
- 04Apply in JustGrantsNarrative, budget and certifications.Days later
- 05Follow the DOJ policyCODIS first, prosecutor consulted, BJA certification where required.Before you spend
- Register in SAM.gov early. Your agency needs an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID. Start at least 30 days before any deadline, and renew every 12 months.
- Build your case inventory and partnerships. Know which cases you'd work and what evidence remains. Line up agreements with your prosecutor, lab, medical examiner and victim advocate. Many programs require them.
- Submit the first step on Grants.gov. Most BJA programs open with a short form (the SF-424) on Grants.gov. Miss that deadline and you can't apply.
- Submit the full application in JustGrants. The narrative, budget and certifications go in JustGrants a few days to a week later. Submit early. The system slows down near deadlines.
- Follow the DOJ policy. Grant-funded genetic genealogy has to follow the Department of Justice's interim policy. In short:
- The DNA profile is searched in CODIS first, with no match.
- The case goes into ViCAP or NamUs where applicable.
- A prosecutor is consulted before the search.
- Many BJA programs also require a separate BJA certification before you spend money on genetic genealogy.
Free help with applications
- Forensics TTA offers training and technical assistance for COLD, MUHR and postconviction grants.
- SAKI TTA lists current SAKI sites. Grantees often share winning applications, so ask one near you.
- OJP's funding page lists every open Department of Justice opportunity.
Two tips from agencies that have done this. City or county applications are easier to coordinate than statewide ones. And the agencies that win usually register and gather their partners months before a solicitation opens.
This guide was last reviewed in November 2026. Programs and rules change every year. Always confirm the details in the official solicitation before you apply.
New to the method? Start with What is investigative genetic genealogy?