Deadline: 27-Oct-2025
The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, has opened applications for competitive funding under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program.
This initiative is designed to enhance the quality, capacity, and timeliness of forensic science services and medical examiner or coroner offices operated by states and units of local government across the United States. By investing in improved forensic practices, the program aims to strengthen the justice system and bolster public trust through more efficient and accurate investigations.
The funding will support projects that directly target critical challenges in the forensic field. These include eliminating backlogs of forensic evidence, hiring and training forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators, and addressing emerging issues like contextual bias, statistical reliability, and new forensic technologies. The program also supports education and training for forensic pathologists and efforts to achieve accreditation and certification of medical examiner and coroner offices. These priorities reflect the program’s commitment to modernizing the nation’s forensic infrastructure while ensuring adherence to the highest professional standards.
The Department has earmarked over $4.3 million to fund approximately 14 awards, with each award expected to be up to $500,000 and spanning a three-year performance period. Eligible applicants include state governments, county and city governments, special district governments, federally recognized and other Native American Tribal governments, as well as units of local government such as towns, boroughs, and villages. The funding opportunity is open to state administering agencies and local government entities capable of delivering measurable improvements in forensic and medicolegal services.
By fostering innovation and addressing operational gaps, this competitive grant program aims to create lasting improvements in the forensic science landscape. Through stronger laboratories, more skilled personnel, and advanced technologies, the program seeks to reduce backlogs, improve investigative outcomes, and ultimately enhance the fair and timely administration of justice.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.