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Forensic Science Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) - NIJ Grant FAQs

1) What is this NIJ funding opportunity?

This is a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) discretionary funding opportunity to create and operate a Forensic Science Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE). The FTCOE is intended to strengthen NIJ's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTE) efforts across the full range of forensic science disciplines.

2) What is the main purpose of the FTCOE?

The FTCOE is designed to serve as a central hub that helps NIJ move forensic science innovations from research into real-world use. In practical terms, it is meant to help crime laboratories, forensic service providers, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies adopt and implement new or improved forensic technologies, methods, and practices.

3) What does RDTE mean in the context of this solicitation?

RDTE refers to research, development, testing, and evaluation. Here, it describes NIJ's end-to-end work in developing forensic science tools and methods, testing and evaluating them for performance and operational fit, and supporting their transition into practice.

4) What type of award will NIJ make under this solicitation?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.

5) What is the practical implication of a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means NIJ expects to be actively involved during the project period. Instead of simply providing funds with minimal oversight, NIJ may work closely with the recipient on key elements of the project, such as coordination, priorities, deliverables, or other aspects tied to NIJ's goals for the center.

6) How many awards did NIJ expect to make?

NIJ expected to make one award.

7) What are the core functions the FTCOE is expected to perform?

The solicitation emphasizes several core functions for the FTCOE, including:

• Providing scientific and technical support to NIJ's forensic research and development efforts.
• Accelerating the demonstration, transfer, and adoption of appropriate forensic technologies into practice.
• Helping develop and disseminate technology guidelines and standards to support consistency and reliability in forensic practice.
• Providing technology assistance, information, and support to law enforcement and other relevant criminal justice agencies.
• Broadening access to resources for research, education, and outreach across the forensic science and criminal justice community.

8) What does "scientific and technical support" to NIJ's forensic R&D include?

Based on the solicitation description, this can include helping NIJ design, evaluate, and communicate technology and methods that are being studied or piloted, supporting NIJ's broader forensic science RDTE portfolio.

9) What does it mean to "accelerate demonstration, transfer, and adoption" of technologies?

This reflects a focus on moving innovations from research settings into operational use. The solicitation indicates attention to implementation realities such as workflow, training, validation, quality assurance, and practitioner needs, so that tools and methods can be used effectively by forensic laboratories and criminal justice agencies.

10) Are guidelines and standards part of the FTCOE responsibilities?

Yes. The FTCOE is expected to help with the development and dissemination of technology guidelines and standards, supporting consistency and reliability in forensic practice.

11) Who is the FTCOE intended to support?

The center is meant to help NIJ transition innovations to practitioners and agencies, including crime laboratories, forensic service providers, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies. It is also expected to broaden access to resources for the broader forensic science and criminal justice community.

12) What kinds of "technology assistance" is the FTCOE expected to provide?

The solicitation describes the FTCOE as a go-to resource for technical questions and implementation support for law enforcement and other relevant criminal justice agencies. This includes providing technology assistance, information, and support related to adopting appropriate forensic technologies and methods.

13) What does "broaden access to resources for research, education, and outreach" suggest the FTCOE will do?

It suggests the FTCOE will engage in knowledge sharing and outreach activities across the forensic science and criminal justice community, potentially including convenings, publications, training materials, and other dissemination and outreach efforts, as indicated by the solicitation summary.

14) When was this opportunity posted, and what was the deadline?

The opportunity was posted on January 3, 2011. The application deadline was April 4, 2011.

15) Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on July 4, 2011.

16) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.560, titled National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants.

17) Was cost sharing or a match required?

No. The solicitation states that no cost sharing or matching funds were required.

18) Who was eligible to apply?

The eligibility category is described as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility details contained in the full solicitation.

19) What legal authorities were cited for this program?

The solicitation cites Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202) and section 232 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 as legal authority.

20) Who can applicants contact with program or requirements questions?

The solicitation listed an NIJ program contact (Charles Heurich) for requirements-related questions.

21) Where should applicants direct technical problems with submission?

The solicitation directed technical submission issues to the Grants.gov support hotline and email.

22) What is the overall role of the FTCOE in NIJ's forensic science work?

The FTCOE is positioned as a central coordinating hub to support NIJ's forensic RDTE efforts and to help translate innovations into operational adoption by practitioners, while also supporting guidelines/standards and providing technical assistance and outreach resources.