# BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/o-bja-2021-09004-bja-fy-21-paul-coverdell-forensic-science-improvement/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/333424

> Bureau of Justice Assistance offered grants of up to $2.3 million to state and local governments. It expected to make about 55 awards worth $29.7 million in total. Applications closed on June 24, 2021.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | O-BJA-2021-09004 |
| Agency | Bureau of Justice Assistance |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | June 24, 2021 |
| Award ceiling | $2.3 million |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 55 |
| Total funding | $29.7 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 16.742 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

For purposes of this solicitation— A state/local government entity performing forensic science services is considered a “forensic science laboratory” if it employs one or more full-time scientists: With a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a natural or formal science (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, or a closely related field) and Whose principal function is to examine, analyze, and interpret physical and/or digital evidence in criminal matters and provide reports and testimony to courts of law regarding such evidence. Law enforcement units operating outside of the crime laboratory function, such as crime scene units and other entities that engage exclusively in evidence collection and documentation, are not forensic science laboratories for these purposes. Medical examiner and coroner offices are treated as forensic science laboratories. State Administering Agencies (SAAs) apply on behalf of states, including any state government entity. For purposes of this solicitation, the term “state” means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virginia Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or management fee.

## What the grant funds

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. BJA seeks proposals for formula funding under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell Program), which awards grants to states and units of local government to improve forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. Under the Coverdell Program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for both formula and competitive funds. This solicitation is ONLY for SAAs applying for the formula funds. An applicant that seeks to apply for Coverdell competitive funds (consistent with 34 U.S.C. § 10563(a)(2)) available for grants to eligible states and units of local government would need to apply under BJA's FY 2021 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive) solicitation.

## Questions people ask

### Is O-BJA-2021-09004 still open?

No. It closed on June 24, 2021. A newer notice is open: O-BJA-2026-172759, closes November 10, 2026 (3 days left).

### Who can apply for BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)?

Bureau of Justice Assistance accepted applications from state and local governments. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)?

Closed June 24, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $2.3 million each. About $29.7 million in total across about 55 awards.

### Who has won Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Office of Emergency Services, Texas Office of the Governor, Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The program made 349 awards worth $137 million in that time.