BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)
At a glance
BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula) is a closed federal grant opportunity from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (Department of Justice). The application deadline was June 24, 2021. Individual awards are listed as up to $2.33M, with about 55 awards expected and $29.7M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include state governments and others (see notice). Cost sharing or matching is required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 16.742 (Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program).
Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.
Key facts
- May 7, 2021Posted
- Jun 24, 2021Application deadline
- Posted
- May 7, 2021
- Close date
- Jun 24, 2021
- Award floor
- Not specified
- Award ceiling
- $2,329,519
- Est. total funding
- $29,696,563
- Expected awards
- 55
- Cost sharing
- Required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Opportunity category
- Discretionary
Who can apply
- State governments
- Others (see notice)
Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)
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.
- County governments
- City or township governments
- For-profit organizations (not small businesses)
A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.
Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.
What it funds
Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.
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.
Assistance Listing
What is an ALN?Reported obligations under ALN 16.742
Historical data · not a predictionAgency contact (as published)
Bureau of Justice Assistance
grants@ncjrs.gov
202-514-9354
Quick answers
Who is eligible to apply for “BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)”?
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: State governments and Others (see notice). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.
How much funding is available through “BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)”?
Per the notice, individual awards are listed as up to $2.33m, total estimated program funding is $29,696,563 and the agency expects to make about 55 awards.
How do I apply for “BJA FY 21 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (formula)”?
Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity O-BJA-2021-09004), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.
Related open opportunities
Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.
BJA FY 2026 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement- Competitive Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
- Up to $500K
- Closes
- Oct 29, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments, County governments, City or township governments and 3 more
BJA FY26 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement - Formula Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
- Up to $23.8M
- Closes
- Oct 30, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments
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Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
- Up to $4.96M
- Closes
- Oct 9, 2026
- Who can apply
- County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments and 2 more
BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
- Up to $3.5M
- Closes
- Oct 29, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments, County governments, City or township governments and 3 more
BJA FY26 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Competitive Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
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- Closes
- Nov 3, 2026
- Who can apply
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BJA FY 2026 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners – Formula Grants Program
Bureau of Justice Assistance- Award range
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- Closes
- Nov 20, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments