Fiscal Year 2004 Report on the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grants Program

• NCJ Number: 233974
• Date Published: August 2005
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: NIJ

Abstract

The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement grant program provides funding to crime laboratories and medical examiner offices through a two-part process consisting of "Base" and "Competitive" funding. The Coverdell program allows crime laboratories and medical examiner offices to use these grant funds for expenses related to laboratory facilities, personnel, equipment, computerization, supplies, accreditation, certification, and education and training. According to the Coverdell Act, seventy-five percent (75%) of the total program amount must be awarded to states through State Administering Agencies (SAAs) based on individual state population. These "Base" awards are dispersed as formula grants to all eligible SAAs who apply for funding. State Administering Agencies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are eligible to apply for "Base" funding. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total program amount must be awarded directly to states and/or units of local government. These "Competitive" awards are not required to pass through a State Administering Agency; instead they are dispersed directly to the applicants in those states or units of local government.