Yes, however only one award will be made to each applicant under the Coverdell Competitive Program. (Please note that if an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, OJP will review only the most recent system-validated version submitted.)

No. If an applicant unit of local government is the entity that receives a competitive award, that does not impact the maximum amount the state can apply for under this funding opportunity.

Yes, all state agencies must apply through the SAA.

Applicants do not have to be currently accredited to apply; however, Coverdell awardees must use grant funds to prepare and apply for accreditation of any FY26 Coverdell grant-funded unaccredited forensic laboratory system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the state, not more than 2 years after the FY26 Coverdell award date. Medical examiners and coroner’s offices are exempt from this accreditation requirement. The accrediting body must be “a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement” and one that “offers accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement.”

With few exceptions, law enforcement agencies with law enforcement accreditation, rather than forensic laboratory or medical examiner accreditation, are not eligible for Coverdell funding. The accrediting body must be “a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement” and one that “offers accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement.” See FAQ #4 above. Furthermore, for eligibility, the applicant must meet the definition of a forensic laboratory as outlined in the Definitions section of the NOFO.