Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program

 

Goal(s): 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. (Proposed, from BJA website) Objective(s): The objectives of the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program are to: 1. Carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroners office services, including those services provided by laboratories operated by the State and those operated by units of local government within the state; 2. Eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence, including, among other things, a backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence; 3. Train, assist, and employ forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators, as needed to eliminate such a backlog; 4. 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); 5. Educate and train forensic pathologists; and 6. Fund medicolegal death investigation systems to facilitate accreditation of medical examiner and coroner offices and certification of medicolegal death investigators. Performance Measure 1: Number of backlogged cases analyzed with Coverdell funds; and, Performance Measure 2: Number of forensics and medical examiner personnel trained.

Active 16.742 Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement (Coverdell) Program has substantially contributed to the increase of quality and timeliness of forensic science in state and local forensic laboratories and medical examiner/coroner’s offices. Coverdell funding has been utilized to: provide training and certification(s) to forensic practitioners across the many forensic science disciplines including firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence; increase the availability of overtime for analysts; hire additional analysts to reduce evidence backlogs; purchase and/or upgrade laboratory instruments and equipment to increase throughput, decrease turn-around time, replace outdated and/or inoperable equipment and instruments; and assist laboratories to achieve accreditation thereby increasing the level of quality of the forensic science services..
Fiscal Year 2018 The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement (Coverdell) Program has substantially contributed to the increase of quality and timeliness of forensic science in state and local forensic laboratories and medical examiner/coroner’s offices. Coverdell funding has been utilized to: provide training and certification(s) to forensic practitioners across the many forensic science disciplines including firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence; increase the availability of overtime for analysts; hire additional analysts to reduce evidence backlogs; purchase and/or upgrade laboratory instruments and equipment to increase throughput, decrease turn-around time, replace outdated and/or inoperable equipment and instruments; and assist laboratories to achieve accreditation thereby increasing the level of quality of the forensic science services. Of the applications received, it is expected that there will be 54 awards through the formula program and 25 awards in the competitive program. In FY2017 and FY2018, there were 52 awards made for both years under the formula program, and 10 and 25 awards made under the competitive program for 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Fiscal Year 2019 The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement (Coverdell) Program has substantially contributed to the increase of quality and timeliness of forensic science in state and local forensic laboratories and medical examiner/coroner’s offices. Coverdell funding has been utilized to: provide training and certification(s) to forensic practitioners across the many forensic science disciplines including firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence; increase the availability of overtime for analysts; hire additional analysts to reduce evidence backlogs; purchase and/or upgrade laboratory instruments and equipment to increase throughput, decrease turn-around time, replace outdated and/or inoperable equipment and instruments; and assist laboratories to achieve accreditation thereby increasing the level of quality of the forensic science services. In FY2019, it is anticipated that 54 applications will be received for the formula solicitation and 75 applications for the competitive solicitation. Of the applications received, it is expected that there will be 54 awards through the formula program and 25 awards in the competitive program.
Fiscal Year 2020 BJA’s Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program awarded a total of $26.5 million through the program's formula ($22.5 million) and competitive ($4 million) solicitations. The awards help states and local governments improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services provided by crime laboratories and medical examiner and coroners' offices. Funding will go toward eliminating backlogs and employing and training laboratory personnel and death investigators.
Fiscal Year 2021 Please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/program/coverdell/overview for information.
Fiscal Year 2022 Please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/fs-coverdell-forensic-science-program.pdf. Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Part BB, Sections 2801 - 2806, Pub. L. No. 90-351, 34 USC 10561 - 34 USC 10566
Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328 Under the Coverdell program, SAAs may apply for both "base" (formula) and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds. Coverdell SAAs and units of local government may apply directly to BJA for funding. All applicants must submit five the statutorily required certifications, which can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/coverdell/overview. Applicants for competitive funds must also submit the Proposal Abstract, Proposal Narrative, Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form), which are critical elements required to pass the basic minimum requirements review. Eligible applicants must be State or local (i.e., county and municipal) governments. The purpose of this solicitation is to request applications for grants from State and units of local government to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services and/or to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence, including firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence for criminal justice purposes in state and local forensic laboratories. Any state/local government entity performing forensic science services is considered a "forensic science laboratory." Medical examiner and coroner offices are considered to be forensic science laboratories for the purposes of this solicitation. The applicant must furnish the following along with the application for a grant: Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories; Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and Procedures Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation; Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities; and Certification as to External Investigations. Additional information can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/coverdell/overview. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Potential applicants are encouraged to request the program announcement for additional information about eligibility requirements and application and selection procedures. Applicants must contact their SAA to determine if the program has been selected for review by the State. The date that the application was sent to the SAA, or the reason such submission is not required, must be included in the application. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. BJA reviews program funding applications to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the solicitation. BJA will also review applications to ensure statutory requirements have been met. Peer reviewers will review requests for competitive funds submitted under the solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements. BJA may use internal peer reviewers (DOJ employees), external peer reviewers, or a combination, to assess competitive requests under the program meeting basic minimum requirements on technical merit using the solicitation's selection criteria. Peer reviewers' ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only, although their views are considered carefully. Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) will make all final award decisions. With respect to requests for competitive funds, the AAG may also give consideration to factors including, but not limited to, peer review ratings, underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding when making awards. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding. For statutory formula awards, see 28 C.F.R. Part 18. There are no appeal rights for rejection of a discretionary application, but for discretionary awards, see 28 C.F.R. Part 18. Not applicable. See the current fiscal year's solicitations available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/current . Under the Coverdell program, SAAs may apply for both “base” (formula) and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds. Coverdell SAAs and units of local government may apply directly to BJA for funding. Approximately 85 percent of the funds available for Coverdell grants will be allocated among eligible States based on population (State “base” funds). The Coverdell statute requires that the remaining 15 percent of program funds be awarded competitively. Coverdell “competitive” funds may be awarded to SAAs or dispersed directly to units of local government based on the merits of the respective applications. States and local governments that provide forensic -science or medical- examiner services may apply for the competitive funding. Applications for competitive funding are reviewed by an independent panel made up of subject - matter experts from the forensic science community. The panelists review and rate the applications individually based on specific evaluation criteria specified in the solicitation. Funds may be used for personnel, computerization, laboratory equipment, supplies, accreditation, education, training, certification, facilities (the Coverdell law limits the amount of funds that may be used for the costs of a new facility or facilities), and administrative expenses (not to exceed 10 percent of the total amount of a Coverdell grant). Performance Reports: See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding, and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview. . To assist the Department with fulfilling its 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, applicants that receive funding under this program must provide data that measure the results of their work done under this solicitation. Performance measures and data expected to be provided are as specified in the current fiscal year’s solicitation. See 2 CFR 200 for audit requirements. See 2 CFR 200.334 for the government-wide requirements for retention requirements for records. Statutory Formula: Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Part BB, Sections 2801 - 2806, Pub. L. No. 90-351, 34 USC 10561 - 34 USC 10566

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Coverdell solicitations are typically announced annually each spring and awards are. In general, the project period for grants under the Coverdell program is 24 months. See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding and the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide, available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at www.bja.gov, and the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide, available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview None/Not specified. Brenda M. Worthington
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
810 7th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20531 USA
Brenda.Worthington@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-305-7844 https://bja.ojp.gov/program/coverdell/overview 15-0404-0-1-754 (Formula Grants) FY 22$59,291,781.00; FY 23 est $35,000,000.00; FY 24 est $35,000,000.00; FY 21$29,696,563.00; FY 20$26,469,758.00; FY 19$27,370,932.00; FY 18$27,363,404.00; FY 17$10,690,702.00; - In amounts consistent with the applicant's proposed project and BJA's plans, priorities and levels of financing. See 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 2800, the current fiscal year's solicitation available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding, and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview. Fiscal Year 2017 See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018: See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Fiscal Year 2019 Fiscal Year 2019: See the BJA website at www.bja.gov.