GRANT TITLE: PAUL COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT GRANT (COVERDELL)

OVERVIEW: The purpose of the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement  Grant is to improve the quality of forensic science services for the criminal justice system and to reduce the backlog of forensic evidence in criminal justice cases.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for funding from the NFSIA Grant, an applicant must be one of the following:

1) A unit of local government (i.e., city, town, county) that has an established forensic science laboratory or medical examiner’s office that:

• Employs generally accepted practices and procedures as established by the appropriate accrediting organization.
   
• Is accredited or seeking accreditation, by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).
  
  
• Employs generally accepted practices and procedures as established by appropriate accrediting organizations and is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners/American Board of Forensic Toxicologists.
  
  
• Is actively seeking, or in process of obtaining, IAI certification as outlined in state statute.

2) Each applicant must be able to certify that a government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct independent external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by employees or contractors substantially affecting the integrity of forensic results.

BOARD PRIORITIES: The Forensic Science Task Force, comprised of ten members uses a consensus decision-making process in determining the use of the grant funds 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: The 2008 NFSIA application period has passed. Depending on federal funding, it is anticipated that grant funds will be available in 2009.

TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION: To be placed on the mailing list to receive a Notice of Availability of Funds, contact the Federal Grants Division at 405/264-5008.