This funding record is inactive. Please see the program website or contact the program sponsor to determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future.

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Coverdell Program) - Competitive

Link

https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2024-172111

Additional Links

Notice of Funding Opportunity (Grants.gov)
Solicitation Overview

Deadline

Application Deadline: Jun 24, 2024

Sponsor

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

Purpose

Funds efforts to eliminate forensic science backlogs and address challenges caused by the prevalence of opioids and synthetic drugs. Grants funds to states and local governmental units to improve forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. Funding must be used for 1 or more of the following objectives:

Implement a program designed to enhance and accelerate the timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services in the state
Remove any backlogs concerning the examination of forensic science evidence
Train, support, and hire individuals who are needed to eliminate backlogs, including forensic laboratory staff, and medical and legal death investigators
Address new forensic science concerns and forensic science technology
Educate and train forensic pathologists
Financially support medical and legal death investigation systems to help accredit medical examiner and coroner offices and certify medical and legal death investigators

Funding may be used for the following expense types:

Laboratory personnel salaries and benefits, including overtime pay
Computerization
Laboratory equipment and supplies
Accreditation
Education, training, and certification
Facilities, including renovation and constructions projects
Administrative costs

Amount of Funding

Award ceiling: Up to $500,000
Project period: 36 months
Estimated number of awards: 15
Estimated total program funding: $4,547,937

Approximately 56% of the total program funding is allocated for projects that specifically address forensic science challenges related to opioids and synthetic drugs.

Who Can Apply

States, including territories, and city, township, or county governments are eligible to apply.

Priority consideration will be given to projects that address specified opioid and synthetic drug related challenges to the forensic science community.

Geographic Coverage

Nationwide

What This Program Funds

Buildings and Facilities • Capacity Building • Equipment • New Program • Operating Costs and Staffing • Training Providers

Application Process

Application instructions, requirements, and additional information about the application process can be found in the funding announcement.

Applications must be submitted electronically through a 2-step process:

Step 1: Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in grants.gov by the June 24, 2024 deadline.
Step 2: Applicants will submit the full application, including attachments, in the JustGrants grants management system by the July 1, 2024 deadline.

Contact

For questions on submitting in grants.gov:
800-518-4726
support@grants.gov

For questions on submitting in JustGrants:
833-872-5175
JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

For technical questions:
Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Response Center
800-851-3420
TTY at 301-240-6310
grants@ncjrs.gov

Topics This Program Addresses

Healthcare Facilities • Healthcare Workforce • Infrastructure • Teleservices and Technology