BJA FY26 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement - Formula Grants Program
Open Closes November 10, 2026 (3 days left)
Bureau of Justice Assistance is offering grants of up to $23.8 million to state and local governments. Applications close on November 10, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed November 5, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$23.8 million
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | September 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | November 10, 2026 |
Add the deadline to your calendar
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to state and local governments.
- State governments
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program awards averaged $393,477; this notice allows up to $23.8 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (99% over five years) went to state and local governments.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
Under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Grant Program, state administering agencies (SAAs) may be eligible and apply for both formula and competitive funds. This NOFO is ONLY for formula funds. An applicant seeking to apply for Coverdell competitive funds (consistent with 34 U.S.C. § 10563(a)(2)) that are available to eligible states and units of local government would need to apply separately under BJA’s FY 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement—Competitive Grants Program NOFO.
Who has won Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program (16.742) awarded $137 million across 349 grant awards, an average of $393,477 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office of Emergency Services | California | 5 | $9.2 million |
| Texas Office of the Governor | Texas | 5 | $8.7 million |
| Florida Department of Law Enforcement | Florida | 6 | $7.3 million |
| New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services | New York | 6 | $5.4 million |
| Crime & Delinquency Pa Commission on | Pennsylvania | 5 | $3.7 million |
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov and the agency's announcement. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to Bureau of Justice Assistance, OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov, 202-514-9354.
Questions people ask
Who can apply for BJA FY26 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement - Formula Grants Program?
Bureau of Justice Assistance accepts applications from state and local governments.
What is the deadline for BJA FY26 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement - Formula Grants Program?
Closes November 10, 2026 (3 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $23.8 million each.
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.
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