Opportunity Information: Apply for O NIJ 2023 171859
The NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) opportunity is a Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice solicitation designed to fund the continued operation of a national center that helps move forensic science research into day-to-day practice. Issued under the Office of Justice Programs broader priorities, the program is framed around advancing civil rights and racial equity, expanding access to justice, supporting victims and people impacted by the justice system, strengthening public safety, responding to evolving threats, and improving trust between law enforcement and communities. In practical terms, NIJ is looking for a qualified organization to serve as a hub that supports NIJ's forensic science research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTandE) work and ensures that validated tools, methods, and findings are actually transferred and adopted by the practitioners who need them.
The core purpose of the FTCOE is to provide scientific and technical assistance across NIJ's forensic science portfolio and to act as a bridge between research and operational implementation. The center is expected to help demonstrate and evaluate emerging and existing forensic technologies, support testing and validation efforts, and facilitate the adoption of appropriate technologies by end users such as crime laboratories, medical examiner and coroner offices, law enforcement agencies, and other forensic service providers. A major emphasis is on technology transition: helping researchers and practitioners understand what works, what is ready for use, what limitations exist, and what steps are needed for responsible implementation in real-world settings.
Beyond hands-on technology support, the FTCOE is also expected to strengthen knowledge transfer and research dissemination in the forensic science and criminal justice communities. That includes developing and providing access to resources that help spread evidence-based best practices, educational materials, and practical guidance that can be used by practitioners and decision-makers. The center is intended to work closely with NIJ program managers to assess the impact of NIJ-funded RDTandE, communicate results in ways that are meaningful to practitioners and stakeholders, and promote systems-based approaches that improve how forensic science contributes to the criminal justice system overall.
A distinctive deliverable highlighted in the solicitation is the development of national forensic science library services. This involves identifying, curating, and making available scholarly literature relevant to both the forensic research community and working practitioners. The intent is to strengthen access to high-quality, up-to-date scientific information and to organize it in a way that supports applied decision-making, research planning, training, and continuous improvement across the field.
Administratively, this is a continuation opportunity funded through a cooperative agreement, which typically means substantial federal involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work during the award period. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.560 and is associated with funding activity categories focused on science, technology, and other research and development. The award ceiling is $2,500,000, with an anticipated total of two awards. The solicitation was created on August 14, 2023, with an original closing date of August 17, 2023, indicating a short submission window consistent with an invited-to-apply or continuation competition. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the solicitation's additional eligibility information.
The stated statutory authorities supporting the program include Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202), relevant sections of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233 and 235), and 28 U.S.C. 530C. Overall, the grant is centered on maintaining a national capability that helps NIJ ensure its forensic science investments produce measurable, practical improvements, from validated technologies and methods to accessible best-practice resources and curated scientific literature that can be used across the forensic and criminal justice landscape.Apply for O NIJ 2023 171859
- The Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Forensic Technology Center of Excellence" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.560.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 14, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 17, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE)
What is the NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) opportunity?
It is a Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) solicitation to fund the continued operation of a national Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE). The center is intended to help move forensic science research into day-to-day practice by supporting technology transition, testing/validation, and dissemination of evidence-based resources to practitioners.
What is the main purpose of the FTCOE?
The FTCOE is designed to provide scientific and technical assistance across NIJ's forensic science portfolio and to serve as a bridge between research and operational implementation. The goal is to ensure that NIJ-supported forensic science research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTandE) leads to practical, measurable improvements that practitioners can adopt responsibly.
How does the FTCOE support NIJ's forensic science RDTandE work?
The solicitation describes the FTCOE as a hub that supports NIJ's forensic science RDTandE by helping demonstrate and evaluate forensic technologies, supporting testing and validation efforts, and communicating what is ready for operational use, what limitations exist, and what steps are needed for real-world implementation.
Who are the intended end users of FTCOE outputs and services?
The FTCOE is expected to facilitate adoption of appropriate technologies and methods by forensic practitioners and agencies, including crime laboratories, medical examiner and coroner offices, law enforcement agencies, and other forensic service providers.
What does "technology transition" mean in this solicitation?
Technology transition is a major emphasis of the FTCOE. In practical terms, it means helping translate validated research findings, tools, and methods into operational settings by clarifying readiness for use, identifying limitations, and outlining steps needed for responsible implementation in real-world forensic environments.
What kinds of activities is the FTCOE expected to perform related to forensic technologies?
Based on the solicitation summary, expected activities include demonstrating and evaluating emerging and existing forensic technologies, supporting testing and validation efforts, and facilitating adoption by end users across the forensic service landscape.
How does this program align with broader OJP priorities?
The opportunity is framed around OJP priorities that include advancing civil rights and racial equity, expanding access to justice, supporting victims and people impacted by the justice system, strengthening public safety, responding to evolving threats, and improving trust between law enforcement and communities.
What role does knowledge transfer and dissemination play in the FTCOE?
Knowledge transfer is a core expectation. The FTCOE is intended to strengthen research dissemination in forensic science and criminal justice communities by developing and providing access to resources that spread evidence-based best practices, educational materials, and practical guidance for practitioners and decision-makers.
How is the FTCOE expected to work with NIJ?
The center is intended to work closely with NIJ program managers to assess the impact of NIJ-funded forensic science RDTandE, communicate results in practitioner-relevant ways, and promote systems-based approaches that improve how forensic science contributes to the criminal justice system overall.
What is the "national forensic science library services" deliverable?
A highlighted deliverable is developing national forensic science library services. This involves identifying, curating, and making available scholarly literature relevant to both forensic researchers and working practitioners, with the intent of strengthening access to high-quality, up-to-date scientific information organized for applied decision-making, research planning, training, and continuous improvement.
What type of award is this?
This continuation opportunity is funded through a cooperative agreement. The description notes that cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work during the award period.
Is this a continuation or a new-start opportunity?
It is described as a continuation opportunity intended to fund the continued operation of the FTCOE, and it is labeled "Invited to Apply," which is consistent with a limited or continuation competition.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.560.
What funding activity categories are associated with this solicitation?
The opportunity is associated with funding activity categories focused on science, technology, and other research and development.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $2,500,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The solicitation indicates an anticipated total of two awards.
When was the solicitation created and what was the original closing date?
The solicitation was created on August 14, 2023, with an original closing date of August 17, 2023. The short window is consistent with an invited-to-apply or continuation solicitation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the solicitation's additional eligibility information.
What statutory authorities are cited for this program?
The stated statutory authorities include Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 and 202), relevant sections of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (sections 231-233 and 235), and 28 U.S.C. 530C.
What outcomes is NIJ trying to achieve through the FTCOE?
NIJ is seeking to maintain a national capability that helps ensure its forensic science investments produce practical improvements. Examples described include validated technologies and methods that are transferred and adopted in practice, accessible evidence-based best-practice resources, and curated scientific literature that supports the forensic and criminal justice communities.
What does "systems-based approaches" refer to in this context?
The solicitation notes that the FTCOE should promote systems-based approaches aimed at improving how forensic science contributes to the criminal justice system overall, in coordination with NIJ program managers and stakeholders.
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