Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant (NFSIA)

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 nine members uses a consensus decision-making process in determining the use of the grant funds.

2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Application

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:  To submit an application for funding, download the application from the link above and follow the instructions. The deadline to submit an application is October 26th at 11:59PM CT.

GRANT NOTIFICATION:  To be placed on the mailing list to receive a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), contact the Federal Grants Division at 405-264-5008 or email dac-grants@dac.state.ok.us and provide your name, agency name, mailing address, and grant name for which you want to receive the Notice of Funding Opportunities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Cassandra Obi, Grant Programs Specialist, Federal Grants Division, at 405-264-5008 or via email at DAC-Grants@dac.state.ok.us.