BJA FY25 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program
This grant funds organizations that review and investigate wrongful convictions to strengthen justice system integrity, prevent future errors, and support victims.
Funder: Bureau of Justice Assistance
Due Dates: May 4, 2026 (Grants.gov) | May 8, 2026 (Application closing) | May 11, 2026 (JustGrants)
Funding Amounts: Up to $600,000 per award; no minimum; project period and total program funding not specified.
Summary: Supports conviction integrity units and wrongful conviction review entities to strengthen post-conviction review and prevent wrongful convictions.
Description
This program supports the development and enhancement of Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) and Wrongful Conviction Review (WCR) entities. CIUs are specialized units within prosecutors’ offices dedicated to identifying, assessing, and addressing post-conviction claims of innocence. WCR entities, often nonprofits or academic partners, represent and review individual cases involving such claims. The goal is to improve the capacity of CIUs and WCR entities, in partnership with criminal justice and victim services, to more effectively and efficiently identify, assess, and manage post-conviction innocence claims. The program also aims to prevent future wrongful convictions, help identify and apprehend actual perpetrators, and deliver justice to victims.
