Forensics grants up to $250,000
Grant Deadline: Mar. 10, 2017
Improve forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell program) awards grants to states and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. Among other things, funds may be used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog. State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for both “base” (formula) and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds.
What this grant does for your agency
Agencies awarded the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants must use the grant for one or more of these 3 purposes:
- To carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services in the State, including those services provided by laboratories operated by the State and those operated by units of local government within the State.
- To eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence, including, among other things, a backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, toxicology, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence.
- To train, assist and employ forensic laboratory personnel as needed to eliminate such a backlog.
- To address emerging forensic science issues (such as statistics, contextual bias, and uncertainty of measurement) and emerging forensic science technology (such as high throughput automation, statistical software, and new types of instrumentation).
- To educate and train forensic pathologists.
- To fund medicolegal death investigation systems to facilitate accreditation of medical examiner and coroner offices and certification of medicolegal death investigators.
The types of expenses listed below generally may be paid with Coverdell funds:
- Personnel. Funds may be used for forensic science or medical examiner/coroner personnel, overtime, fellowships, visiting scientists, interns, consultants, or contracted staff.
- Computerization. Funds may be used to upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase computer hardware and software for forensic analyses and data management.
- Laboratory equipment. Funds may be used to upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner equipment and instrumentation.
- Supplies. Funds may be used to acquire forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner supplies.
- Accreditation. Funds may be used to prepare for laboratory accreditation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB), Forensic Quality Services (FQS), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), or other appropriate accrediting bodies. Funds also may be used for application and maintenance fees charged by appropriate accrediting bodies.
- Education, training and certification. Funds may be used for appropriate internal and external training of staff that are directly and substantially involved in providing forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services. In appropriate cases, funds also may be used for fees charged by appropriate certifying bodies for certification of staff in specific forensic discipline areas. All education, training, and certification activities must be designed to improve the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services. The grant application should demonstrate that the proposed training or certification is directly related to the job position and duties of the individual(s) receiving the training or seeking certification.
- Facilities. Funds may be used for program expenses relating to facilities, provided the expenses are directly attributable to improving the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services. Funds also may be used for renovation and/or construction undertaken as part of the applicant’s program to improve the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services. See the specific year’s solicitation to which you are applying for detailed on limitations on use of funds for costs of new facility.
- Administrative expenses. Not more than 10 percent of the total amount of a Coverdell grant may be used for administrative expenses.
NIJ expects that any award under this solicitation will be in the form of a grant. Only a limited number of grants will be awarded. NIJ expects to make awards for a 12-month period of performance, to begin on January 1, 2018.
Grant Eligibility
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:
States and units of local government may apply for NFSIA funds. States may be eligible for both “base” (formula) and competitive funds. Units of local government within States may be eligible for competitive funds and may apply directly to NIJ. Any State application for funding must be submitted by the Coverdell State Administering Agency (SAA). (Other interested state agencies or departments must coordinate with their respective SAAs.) Each applicant must satisfy the specific application requirements outlined in this announcement, the general requirements for NIJ and OJP grants, and all other applicable legal requirements.
About the National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
NIJ — the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice — is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science. NIJ provides objective and independent knowledge and tools to inform the decision-making of the criminal justice community to reduce crime and advance justice, particularly at the state and local levels. More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Fri., Mar. 10, 2017.
Apply
Funding Opportunity Number: NIJ-2017-11612. Apply for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants