BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) | BJA 2020 17018

Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2020 17018

The BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) is a competitive discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Its main purpose is to help jurisdictions take a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to addressing backlogs of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) and strengthening the full response that follows, from evidence testing through investigation, prosecution, and victim notification and services. In practice, SAKI is built around the idea that testing kits is only one step; communities also need the policies, partnerships, and capacity to act on the results in a way that is effective, lawful, and victim-centered.

A core focus of the program is funding community response teams that bring together key partners such as forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and victim service providers. These teams are supported to inventory and track previously unsubmitted SAKs, submit kits for testing, and use the resulting DNA information to advance investigations. The program also supports efforts to collect and test lawfully owed DNA from offenders or arrestees, recognizing that timely collection and entry of DNA can improve the chances of identifying suspects and linking cases through CODIS (the Combined DNA Index System).

Beyond testing, SAKI emphasizes building and improving the protocols and policies that govern how agencies work together. Funding can be used to develop or refine procedures that improve coordination among laboratories, police, prosecutors, and victim advocates, helping ensure that evidence moves efficiently through the system and that decision-making is consistent and well-documented. The initiative also supports the resources needed to address the investigative and prosecutorial workload that can surge after kits are tested and CODIS hits occur. This includes capacity to follow leads, re-open cases appropriately, and pursue prosecutions when supported by the evidence.

Victim-centered practice is another major component. SAKI funding is intended to help jurisdictions optimize victim notification protocols and related services, so survivors receive timely, sensitive, and trauma-informed communication about the status of their cases and any significant developments. The program recognizes that re-engagement in older cases can be difficult for survivors, and that notification and support must be handled carefully, with access to services that meet victims needs.

For this FY 2020 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BJA-2020-17018), eligible applicants included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The grant instrument type is a grant, and the activity categories are listed across areas such as law, justice and legal services, information and statistics, and related public service fields. The opportunity was created on February 27, 2020, with an original closing date of April 27, 2020. Awards were anticipated for approximately 27 recipients, with a maximum (ceiling) award amount of $2,500,000 per award.

Overall, the FY 20 SAKI opportunity is designed to help jurisdictions not only reduce the number of unsubmitted kits and improve DNA testing outcomes, but also build a sustainable, collaborative system that can responsibly investigate resulting leads, pursue appropriate prosecutions, and provide consistent, survivor-focused notification and support.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.833.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 27, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 27, 2020. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 27 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for BJA 2020 17018

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: