Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program

 

Administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program provides funding to eligible applicants for services focused on reporting and identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains cases in the United States. This program augments the existing services available through OJPs National Institute of Justices (NIJ) National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) Program, which is a national centralized repository and resource center for locating and identifying missing persons, unidentified human remains, and repatriating unclaimed persons. Objective: Provide funding to enable eligible entities to improve the reporting, transportation, processing, and identification of missing persons and unidentified human remains, including migrants. Performance Measure 1: The number of missing persons cases (including migrants) processed (all purpose areas); and, Performance Measure 2: The number of unidentified human remains cases (including migrants) processed (all purpose areas).

Active 16.050 Department of Justice B - Project Grants Not applicable. The Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act of 2019, Public Law 116-277, 34 U.S.C. 10101
Public Law 106-177, Title II, 34 U.S.C. 40501-40503
Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328 o States o Units of local government o Accredited, publicly funded, Combined DNA Index System (commonly known as 'CODIS') forensic laboratories o Medical Examiner offices o Accredited, publicly funded toxicology laboratories o Accredited, publicly funded crime laboratories o Publicly funded university forensic anthropology laboratories o Nonprofit organizations that have working collaborative agreements with State and county forensic offices, including medical examiners, coroners, and justices of the peace, for entry of data into CODIS or NamUS or both. Not applicable. Eligibility for All Purpose Areas: All entities and relevant sub-recipients must submit a certification statement as part of the application that states: "Any suspected biological family DNA reference samples received from citizens of the United States or foreign nationals and uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System (commonly referred to as 'CODIS') by an accredited, publicly funded CODIS forensic laboratory awarded a grant under this section may be used only for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains. Any biological family DNA reference samples from citizens of the United States or foreign nationals entered into CODIS for purposes of identifying missing persons and unidentified remains may not be disclosed to a Federal or State law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes." Letters pf Commitment: Applicants under all-purpose areas must submit signed letters of commitment from the agency or agencies that possess unidentified missing persons and/or unidentified human remains, the crime laboratory that provides DNA services to the applicant agency (even if outsourcing to a private lab), law enforcement agency (if collecting family reference samples), and the medical examiner/coroner as applicable, or other agency whose participation will be required to successfully implement the project under this program, stating their commitment to the project as presented in the application. The letters must be included in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must ensure that the signed letter of commitment, memorandum of understanding, or other mutually signed documents that clearly state the involvement and commitment between their agency and state/local laboratory include basic annual deliverables from the lab under the MUHR Program grant. These might include but are not limited to the following: number of technical reviews and CODIS uploads per year of outsourced cases/DNA samples, and number of missing persons/family reference samples to be tested per year. Attach this as a separate PDF file titled "Letters of Commitment." Processing and Identification: For the collection and processing of family reference samples for upload to CODIS (to match and identify missing and unidentified person(s)), the applicant must submit a letter of support with a relevant law enforcement agency and medical examiner/coroner. Following the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) guidance and requirements, the relative of a missing person must voluntarily submit their DNA sample per a consent form. Law enforcement must oversee and confirm that the relative is who they say they are via a form of identification. The reference sample can only be used for identification purposes. Once and if a match is made, the law enforcement agency overseeing the case must be notified as well as the supporting medical examiner/coroner. All cases must be submitted to NCIC and NamUs and, where applicable, ViCAP, by the end of the grant period. Inventory (Inventory Period and Special Withholding Condition, For Purpose Areas 1 and 2): Each award recipient under Purpose Area 1 or Purpose Area 2 will have an initial period to complete its inventory. Award recipients will have access to up to 25 percent of grant funds during the initial planning phase. If an inventory has already been completed by the applicant jurisdiction, the applicant must provide information regarding the results of the inventory in the proposal/narrative. A certification of this inventory will be required prior to the release of additional funds. This certification requirement may be met through the inclusion of a certification letter signed by the applicant's chief executive officer. The certification letter should detail the results of the inventory and be included as an attachment with the application. BJA reserves the right to impose special conditions requiring revisions to the inventory and plan before approval and release of funds. owned or fee-for-?service) that is accredited and currently undergoes external audits not less than once every 2 years (with the exception of forensic genealogy testing). These audits must demonstrate that the laboratory maintains compliance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the director of the FBI. DNA Analyses: All DNA analyses conducted as a result of this program must be performed by a laboratory (government-owned or fee-for-?service) that is accredited and currently undergoes external audits not less than once every 2 years (with the exception of forensic genealogy testing). These audits must demonstrate that the laboratory maintains compliance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the director of the FBI. Grantees must use laboratories that can test unidentified human remains and missing persons evidence in an expeditious manner so as to meet the goals of the MUHR Program within the grant period. All eligible DNA profiles obtained with funding under this program must be entered into CODIS and, where applicable, uploaded to NDIS. No profiles generated during the testing portion of this program may be entered into any nongovernmental DNA database (with the exception of forensic genealogy testing) without written approval from BJA. Other Materials: o Organizational Chart o Position Descriptions and Resumes o List (to the extent known) of All Proposed Project Staff Members o Timeline Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. Laboratory Supplies: Funds may be used to acquire laboratory supplies for forensic analysis of unidentified remains. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that the types and quantity of supplies requested are appropriate for the proposed level of effort. Award recipients whose proposals involve the purchase or use of chemicals may encounter delays in the release of award funds pending satisfactory completion of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) review process. Eligibility for All Purpose Areas: All entities and relevant sub-recipients must submit a certification statement as part of the application that states: “Any suspected biological family DNA reference samples received from citizens of the United States or foreign nationals and uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System (commonly referred to as ‘CODIS’) by an accredited, publicly funded CODIS forensic laboratory awarded a grant under this section may be used only for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains. Any biological family DNA reference samples from citizens of the United States or foreign nationals entered into CODIS for purposes of identifying missing persons and unidentified remains may not be disclosed to a Federal or State law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes.” Processing and Identification: For the collection and processing of family reference samples for upload to CODIS (to match and identify missing and unidentified person(s)), the applicant must submit a letter of support with a relevant law enforcement agency and medical examiner/coroner. Following the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) guidance and requirements, the relative of a missing person must voluntarily submit their DNA sample per a consent form. Law enforcement must oversee and confirm that the relative is who they say they are via a form of identification. The reference sample can only be used for identification purposes. Once and if a match is made, the law enforcement agency overseeing the case must be notified as well as the supporting medical examiner/coroner. All cases must be submitted to NCIC and NamUs and, where applicable, ViCAP, by the end of the grant period. Letter of Commitment (All Purpose Areas): Applicants under all-purpose areas must submit signed letters of commitment from the agency or agencies that possess unidentified missing persons and/or unidentified human remains, the crime laboratory that provides DNA services to the applicant agency (even if outsourcing to a private lab), law enforcement agency (if collecting family reference samples), and the medical examiner/coroner as applicable, or other agency whose participation will be required to successfully implement the project under this program, stating their commitment to the project as presented in the application. The letters must be included in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must ensure that the signed letter of commitment, memorandum of understanding, or other mutually signed documents that clearly state the involvement and commitment between their agency and state/local laboratory include basic annual deliverables from the lab under the MUHR Program grant. These might include but are not limited to the following: number of technical reviews and CODIS uploads per year of outsourced cases/DNA samples, and number of missing persons/family reference samples to be tested per year. Attach this as a separate PDF file titled “Letters of Commitment.” 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at the Office of Justice Programs web site at (http://www.ojp.gov/funding/solicitations.htm and http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PreawardRequirements/index.htm for additional information. Upon approval by the Assistant Attorney General (for science offices, would be the Director of the applicable Office), successful applicants are notified via the JustGrants System. One copy of the grant award must be signed by the authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs within 45 days of award date. For further information, please see http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PreawardRequirements/chapter2.2a.htm. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 90 to 120 days. NOTE: This estimated timeframe includes the timing for when the solicitation will be open to the field, BMR and peer review processing, internal BJA review for award determination and processing, and OJP award processing and finalization. There are no appeal rights for rejection of a discretionary application, but for discretionary awards, please see section 28 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 18. In some cases, award periods may be extended if specific criteria are met. For details, please review the discussion of no-cost extensions in the Criteria for Award Extension section of the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide available at http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.2d.htm. See the current fiscal years' program solicitation available at the Office of Justice Programs web site at http://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm Supplanting is not permitted. Upon receipt of the grant award, the applicant may use funds for: • Exhumation of human remains as authorized by law • Salary (full-time, part-time, overtime) and benefits for personnel • Training (limited): Funds may be used for limited training that directly supports personnel in relation to activities that improve the quality and outcomes of the project. Training for general purposes and usages by the applicant and its staff, that is not specifically related to the goals, objectives, and deliverables of the MUHR Program, are unallowable. In addition, the training costs should be limited and must not be excessive in relation to the overall project costs. • Supplies: To include computer equipment and laboratory supplies • Transportation of unidentified remains/family reference samples • Processing and identification • Forensic Genetic Genealogy DNA Analysis • Procure state of the art multi-modal, multipurpose forensic DNA typing and analytical equipment. Performance Reports: To assist in fulfilling the Departments responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–352, recipients must provide data that measures the results of their work. DNA Analyses: All DNA analyses conducted as a result of this program must be performed by a laboratory (government-owned or fee-for-?service) that is accredited and currently undergoes external audits not less than once every 2 years (with the exception of forensic genealogy testing). These audits must demonstrate that the laboratory maintains compliance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the director of the FBI. Grantees must use laboratories that can test unidentified human remains and missing persons evidence in an expeditious manner so as to meet the goals of the MUHR Program within the grant period. All eligible DNA profiles obtained with funding under this program must be entered into CODIS and, where applicable, uploaded to NDIS. No profiles generated during the testing portion of this program may be entered into any nongovernmental DNA database (with the exception of forensic genealogy testing) without written approval from BJA. In accordance with the requirement set forth in 2 CFR 200, Subpart F, grantees must maintain all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award for at least 3 years following the close of the most recent audit. For additional guidance, please visit http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.16a.htm. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Award duration is 36 months. For specifics pertaining to this program, please see the current fiscal year’s program solicitation available at the Office of Justice Programs web site (http://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm). For additional information, see the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide section on “Period of Availability of Funds" at http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.2a.htm. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. None/Not specified. Thurston Bryant
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531 USA
Thurston.Bryant@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 598-0379 https://bja.ojp.gov/program/muhr/overview 15-0404-0-1-754 (Project Grants) FY 22$4,476,252.00; FY 23 est $6,000,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Purpose Area 1: State-Wide Agencies - three (3) awards, award amount range: $500,000 to $1,000,000; Purpose Area 2: Counties and/or Units of Local Government - up to six (6) awards, award amount range $100,000 to $500,000; Purpose Area 3: Services to Assist Small, Rural, and/or Tribal Entities - one (1) award, award amount up to $1,000,000 that can provide services on a national scale. Due to limited resources and the potentially small volume of unidentified human remains cases, small, rural, and/or tribal entities (jurisdictions) may not have the staffing and general capabilities to fully implement a large-scale project. To that end, the intent of this purpose area is to ensure that their cases receive the critical resources to assist with resolution. See the current fiscal years' program solicitation available at the Office of Justice Programs web site (http://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm. For additional guidance, please reference the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide (http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm) and Post award Instructions (http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/index.htm). Applicable administrative requirements and Department of Justice regulations applicable to specific types of grantees can be found in title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 C.F.R.). Fiscal Year 2022 See the abstract information for the awards made under FY22 for more details - https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2022-171404