This document serves as a fact sheet on a grant to support wrongful conviction review entities and conviction integrity units that represent individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence to review individual cases and enhance criminal justice system integrity; it provides an overview of who may apply and why, maximum award funds, where to find more information, tips for successful grant applications, and how and when to apply.
This solicitation overview provides grant information and resources for entities that may be interested in funding assistance from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to receive funding in support of criminal justice system integrity through wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities and conviction integrity units (CIUs) that represent individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence. The overview notes eligible applicants as pertaining to any of three categories: categories 1 and 2 are city, township, county, state, special district, and federally recognized tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and public defender offices with in-house post-conviction representation programs; and category 3 includes public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations, and nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education. The fact sheet provides details on the maximum amount of funding per award and lists examples of strategies or activities that can be funded, as well as where to get more information about the grant opportunity. The document also lists tips for submitting a successful grant application, with details about how and when to apply. It also emphasizes that registration and renewal in the System for Award Management (SAM) may take up to 10 business days.