NIJ FY17 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive) | NIJ 2017 11612

Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2017 11612

The NIJ FY17 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), designed to strengthen forensic science and medical examiner and coroner services across the country. The core purpose is to improve both the quality and the timeliness of forensic work, which can directly affect the speed and reliability of criminal investigations and court proceedings. The program is aimed at practical, operational improvements in publicly run forensic and medicolegal systems, including laboratories operated by states and by local units of government.

A central focus of the solicitation is reducing delays in forensic casework, particularly by addressing backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence. Funds can be used for activities that help laboratories and medical examiner services work through accumulated evidence more quickly and accurately. This includes, among other allowable uses noted in the description, the training and employment of forensic laboratory personnel when staffing is a limiting factor in eliminating a backlog. In practice, that means applicants can propose plans that expand capacity, improve workflow, and support the people and processes needed to move evidence through analysis and reporting in a timely way.

This specific FY17 solicitation is limited to the competitive portion of the Coverdell program. Under the Coverdell Act, 25 percent of program funds must be awarded through a competitive process. NIJ notes that these competitive funds may be awarded either to State Administering Agencies (SAAs) or provided directly to units of local government, depending on the merits of the applications received. In other words, while some Coverdell funding may be distributed through other mechanisms, this opportunity is explicitly for the competitively awarded segment only, meaning applicants are competing against one another based on the strength, feasibility, and expected impact of their proposals.

Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The listing also includes an "Others" category with the note to see the solicitation text for additional eligibility clarification, which typically signals that NIJ may allow certain additional public entities or arrangements if they meet program requirements laid out in the full announcement. The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 16.742), reflecting that forensic science improvement efforts often involve technical methods, quality assurance, and capacity-building that align with science and technology program goals.

The opportunity was created on January 10, 2017, with an original application closing date of March 10, 2017. NIJ anticipated making 54 awards under this competitive solicitation. The award ceiling is listed as $11,500,000, indicating the maximum award amount available under the program parameters as posted. The funding instrument type is a grant, which typically means recipients are expected to carry out approved activities and report on progress and results in line with DOJ and NIJ grant conditions.

Overall, this competitive Coverdell solicitation is geared toward measurable improvements in forensic and medical examiner service delivery, with a strong emphasis on reducing evidence backlogs and improving turnaround times while maintaining or enhancing quality. The competitive structure means proposals must clearly demonstrate need, provide a credible plan to improve operations or capacity, and show how the requested resources will translate into faster, higher-quality forensic services for the jurisdictions served.

• The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY17 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.742.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 10, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 10, 2017. (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 $11,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 54 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NIJ 2017 11612

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