BJA-2025-172448.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2025-09-12)

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OMB No. 1121-0329
Approval Expires 02/28/2027
U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | NOFO | ojp.gov | 1
BJA FY25
Strengthening the
Medical Examiner-
Coroner System
Program
Anticipated Total Amount To Be Awarded Under This Funding
Opportunity: $1,750,000
Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $300,000 under Category 1
(Forensic Pathology Fellowships); up to $100,000 under
Category 2 (Medical Examiner/Coroner Office Accreditation).
Anticipated Period of Performance Duration: 36 months
Funding Opportunity Number: O-BJA-2025-172448
Deadline to submit SF-424 in Grants.gov: October 6, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
Deadline to submit application in JustGrants: October 14, 2025, by 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | NOFO | ojp.gov | 2
CONTENTS
Basic Information .............................................................................................. 3
Eligibility ............................................................................................................ 6
Program Description ........................................................................................ 8
Application Contents, Submission Requirements, and Deadlines ............... 11
Application Review ..........................................................................................23
Award Notices ..................................................................................................25
Post-Award Requirements and Administration .............................................26
Other Information .............................................................................................28
Application Checklist.......................................................................................29

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | NOFO | ojp.gov | 3
Eligibility
Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
Post-Award
Requirements
BASIC INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau
of Justice Assistance (BJA) is accepting applications for funding in response to
this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
Agency Name
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
NOFO Title
BJA FY25 Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner
System Program
Announcement Type
Initial
Funding Opportunity Number
O-BJA-2025-172448
Assistance Listing Number
16.037
Executive Summary
This NOFO addresses capacity challenges within the Medical Examiner/Coroner (ME/C) system
brought on by strict industry caps on the number of autopsies that certified pathologists can
perform in a calendar year. This perennial challenge has been exacerbated by extraordinary
spikes in opioid-related fatalities and the COVID pandemic. This funding will strengthen the
ME/C system by increasing the number of certified forensic pathologists and enhancing the
quality of medicolegal death investigations nationwide. Please see the Eligible Applicants
section for the eligibility criteria.
Specifically, through this program, BJA will award funding for:
•
Category 1: Forensic pathology fellowships (up to two allowed per application)
(Anticipated Award Amount: $150,000 for one fellow; $300,000 for two fellows)
This category will increase the number of qualified forensic pathology practitioners by
recruiting candidates who have completed the necessary medical education and
pathology residency requirements.
•
Category 2: Resources necessary for ME/C offices to achieve and maintain
accreditation (Anticipated Award Amount: $100,000)
This category will strengthen the quality and consistency of ME/C services by ensuring
agencies performing postmortem examinations are following industry and professional
standards and performance criteria, thereby increasing public trust in these services.
OJP is committed to advancing work that furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, to
keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and
other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect
American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety
challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Bureau of Justice Assistance | NOFO | ojp.gov | 4
Eligibility
Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
Post-Award
Requirements
Key Dates and Times
Funding Opportunity Release Date
September 11, 2025
SAM.gov Registration/Renewal
Recommend beginning process by September
11, 2025, and no later than September 26, 2025
Step 1: Grants.gov Application Deadline 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 6, 2025
Step 2: JustGrants Application Deadline 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 14, 2025
Funding Details
Total Amount To Be Awarded Under This Funding Opportunity: $1,750,000
•
C-BJA-2025-00063-PROD, Category 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships
o
Anticipated Number of Awards: 6
o
Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $150,000 for 1 Fellow; Up to $300,000 for
2 Fellows
o
Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date: October 1, 2025
o
Anticipated Period of Performance Duration: 36 months
•
C-BJA-2025-00064-PROD, Category 2: Medical Examiner Coroner Office
Accreditation
o
Anticipated Number of Awards: 7
o
Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $100,000
o
Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date: October 1, 2025
o
Anticipated Period of Performance Duration: 36 months
Note: Applicants may propose a budget that is less than the anticipated award ceiling
amount. The budget should be reasonable to conduct the proposed project and be within
Availability of Funds
This funding opportunity, and awards under this funding opportunity, are subject to the
availability of funding and any changes or additional requirements that may be imposed by the
agency or by law. In addition, nothing in this NOFO is intended to, nor does it, create any right
or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the
United States or its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees, agents, or any other
person.
Statutory Authority
Any awards under this NOFO would be made under the statutory authority provided by the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-4, Div. A, Secs. 1101(a)(2) and 1301(4),
139 Stat. 9, 10-11, 17; see Pub. L. No. 118-42, 138 Stat. 25, 147, para. 10(B)).

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
Post-Award
Requirements
Agency Contact Information
For assistance with the requirements of this funding opportunity:
OJP Response Center
Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only)
Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday–Friday

For assistance with SAM.gov (registration/renewal):

SAM.gov Help Desk

Phone: 866-606-8220

Web: SAM.gov Help Desk (Federal Service Desk)
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET Monday–Friday
For assistance with Grants.gov (registration, submission of the Application for Federal
Assistance SF-424):
Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline
Phone: 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035
Email: support@grants.gov
Web: Grants.gov Customer Support
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays
For assistance with JustGrants (registration, submission of full application):

JustGrants Service Desk

Phone: 833-872-5175
Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov
Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET Monday–Friday and 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.
For procedures related to unforeseen technical issues beyond the control of the
applicant that impact submission by the deadlines, see Experiencing Technical Issues
Preventing Submission of an Application (Technical Waivers).

Resources for Applying
OJP Grant Application Resource Guide: Referred to as the “Application Resource Guide”
throughout the NOFO, this resource provides guidance to help applicants for OJP funding
prepare and submit their applications.
JustGrants Application Submission Training Webpage: Offers helpful information and
resources on the grant application process.
Note: If this NOFO requires something different from any guidance provided in the Application
Resource Guide, the difference will be noted in this NOFO, and the applicant should follow the
guidance in this NOFO.

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible Applicants
The types of entities that are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity are
listed below:
•
Government Entities
o State governments
o County governments
o City or township governments
o Special district governments
o Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)
o Native American Tribal governments (other than federally recognized)
•
Educational Organizations
o Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
o Private institutions of higher education
•
Nonprofit Organizations
o Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), other than institutions of higher education
o Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than
institutions of higher education
•
For-Profit Organizations
o Organizations other than small businesses
•
Other
o Other units of local government

State Government Entities: For the purposes of this NOFO, “state” means any state of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Other” Entities Definition:
•
Other Units of Local Government: For the purposes of this notice of funding
opportunity, other units of local government include towns, boroughs, parishes, villages,
or other general purpose political subdivisions of a state.
Additional Applicant Eligibility Factors
Eligible applicants for Category 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships are limited to entities with
programs that meet or exceed the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) requirements. For additional information on ACGME, please visit
https://www.acgme.org/about/overview/.

Eligible applicants for Category 2: Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) Office Accreditation are
limited to domestic ME/C offices actively seeking or maintaining accreditation through an
independent accrediting organization such as the National Association of Medical Examiners,
the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, or other appropriate
accrediting bodies.

Limit on Number of Applications

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
An applicant may submit more than one application if each application proposes a different
project in response to the NOFO. Also, an entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more
than one application.
Note: Proposals are expected to clearly identify the purpose area to which they are applying. If
applicants are requesting funds from both categories, a separate application must be submitted
for each category.
Applications under which two or more entities (project partners) would carry out the federal
award will be considered. However, only one entity may be the applicant for the NOFO; any
others must be proposed as subrecipients. See the Application Resource Guide for additional
information on subawards.
Cost Sharing/Match Requirement
This NOFO does not require cost sharing/match.

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
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Application
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Basic
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
General Purpose of the Funding
Through the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner Program, BJA seeks
to increase the number of qualified forensic pathologists and enhance the quality
of medicolegal death investigations nationwide.
Specifically, through this program, BJA will award funding for:
•
Category 1: Forensic pathology fellowships (up to two allowed per application)
•
Category 2: Resources necessary for ME/C offices to achieve and maintain
accreditation
Samples of previous awards and success stories under both Category 1, Forensic Pathology
Fellowships, and Category 2, ME/C Office Accreditation, can be found at:
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/strengthening-mec/funding.
Applicants should refer to Application Contents, Submission Requirements, and Deadlines:
Budget Detail Form for information on allowable and unallowable costs that may inform the
development of their project design.
Agency Funding Priorities
In order to advance public safety and help meet its mission, OJP will provide priority
consideration to applicants that propose (as applicable within the scope of this funding
opportunity) projects specify to advance the goals listed below. Applicants seeking priority
consideration should describe in the proposal narrative (and in the budget detail form, if
applicable) which of the following goal(s) the project is intended to advance and how it will do
so:
(a) Directly supporting law enforcement operations (including immigration law enforcement
operations);
(b) Combatting violent crime;
(c) Supporting services to American citizens;
(d) Protecting American children; and
(e) Supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.
Note: Addressing these priority areas is one of many factors that OJP considers in making
funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration for one or more priority areas does not
guarantee a funding award.
Unallowable Uses of Funds
The following are certain unallowable costs and certain activities that are out of the program
scope and will not be funded.
1. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that, directly or indirectly,
violates (or promotes or facilitates the violation of) federal immigration law (including 8
U.S.C. § 1373) or impedes or hinders the enforcement of federal immigration law—

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
including by failing to comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, give access to DHS agents, or honor
DHS requests and provide requested notice to DHS agents.

2. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that violates any applicable
Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination law. This includes violations that – (1) indirectly
violate the law, including by promoting or facilitating violations; or (2) unlawfully favor
individuals in any race or protected group, including on a majority or minority, or
privileged or unprivileged, basis, within a given area, population, or sector.

3. Any obligations of funds, at any tier, under this award to provide (or to support the
provision of) legal services to any removable alien or any alien otherwise unlawfully
present in the United States shall be unallowable costs for purposes any award made
under this notice, but the foregoing shall not be understood to apply— (1) to legal
services to obtain protection orders for victims of crime; or (2) to immigration-related
legal services that may be expressly authorized or required by any law, or any judicial
ruling, governing or applicable to the award.
Program Goals and Objectives
The goals of the Strengthening the ME/C System Program are:
Goal 1: Category 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships—Increase the number of qualified
forensic pathology practitioners.
Objective 1: Recruit candidates who have completed the necessary medical education
and pathology residency requirements by soliciting applications from institutions with
current Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited
forensic pathology fellowship programs.
Goal 2: Category 2: ME/C Office Accreditation—Strengthen the quality and consistency
of ME/C services in their respective offices, thereby increasing public trust in
these services.
Objective 1: Ensure that agencies performing postmortem examinations are following
industry and professional standards and performance criteria.
How Awards Will Contribute to Program Goals/Objectives
Strengthening the ME/C System Program grants will help increase the number of qualified
forensic pathologists and enhance the quality of medicolegal death investigations services
nationwide. This program helps address the shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists.
Expected Outcomes: Deliverables and Performance Measures
To achieve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity, OJP has identified expected
deliverables that must be produced by a recipient. OJP has also identified performance
measures (pieces of data) that will indicate how a recipient is achieving the performance goals
and objectives previously identified. Recipients will need to collect and report this performance
measure data to OJP.
OJP will measure success by reviewing a recipient's submission of performance reports and
data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and
objectives of this NOFO.

Eligibility

Program
Description
Deadlines &
Contents
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
Deliverables
Award recipients will be expected to develop and submit the deliverables listed below in the
course of implementing their proposed project.
•
Awardees under Category 1 will be required to provide a narrative report to BJA detailing
the impact and progress of the fellowship program. The awardee should include details
about the number of fellowship applications they received prior to implementing the BJA
program and any changes noted in the number of fellowship applications received after
the program was implemented. They should also describe their outreach efforts to
increase the fellowship applicant pool and the results of these efforts.

•
Awardees under Category 2 will be required to provide a narrative report to BJA detailing
the impact and progress of the accreditation project. The report should include
information on the level of effort given the accreditation processes and the progress
made, including the level of staffing and amount of time provided. Any information on the
successes and pitfalls, as well as any information BJA can use toward learning about
ME/C accreditation processes, issues, and results, should also be provided.

•
Program objectives and deliverables should be included in one timeline. All ME/C award
recipients are required to report specific performance measures (see Performance
Measures) see below. In addition, the applicant is asked to consider what other
measures may be of use in demonstrating the successful outcome of the
program/project.

Performance Measures
OJP will require each award recipient to submit regular performance reports that communicate
progress toward achieving the goals and objectives identified in Program Goals and Objectives.
Applicants can visit OJP’s performance measurement page at ojp.gov/performance for more
information on performance measurement activities.
A list of performance measure questions for this funding opportunity can be found at
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/performance-measures/MEC-Measures.pdf.
Funding Instrument
OJP expects to make awards under this funding opportunity as grants. See the “Administrative,
National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of the Application Resource Guide for a
brief discussion of important statutes, regulations, and award conditions.

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
APPLICATION CONTENTS, SUBMISSION
REQUIREMENTS, AND DEADLINES
This NOFO contains all the information needed to apply for this funding
opportunity. The application for this funding opportunity is submitted through
web-based forms and attachments in Grants.gov and JustGrants through the steps that follow.
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov Registration
To submit an application, an applicant must have an active registration in the System for Award
Management (SAM.gov). SAM.gov assigns entities a unique entity identifier (UEI) that is
required for the entity to apply for federal funding. Applicants will enter their UEI with their
application. Award recipients must then maintain an active UEI for the duration of their award's
period of performance.
First-time Registration: Entities registering in SAM.gov for the first time will submit information
about their entity type and structure, financial information (such as dates of the fiscal year,
banking information, and executive compensation), entity points of contact, and other
information. The information is reviewed and verified by SAM.gov, and then a UEI is issued.
This process may take several weeks, so entities considering applying for funding should begin
the registration process as soon as possible.
Renewing an Existing Registration: Entities must renew their SAM.gov registration every 12
months to keep it active. If an entity does not renew their SAM.gov registration, it will expire. An
expired registration can delay or prevent the submission of an application for funding in
Grants.gov and JustGrants.
Applicants are encouraged to start the SAM.gov registration or renewal process at least 30
days prior to the application’s Grants.gov deadline. Applicants who fail to begin the
registration or renewal process at least 10 business days prior to the Grants.gov deadline may
not be able to complete the process in time and will not be considered for a technical waiver that
allows for late submission.
Submission Instructions: Summary
Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step process that begins in
Grants.gov and is completed in JustGrants. See Basic Information: Key Dates and Times for the
Grants.gov and JustGrants application deadlines.
•
Step 1: The applicant must submit the required Application for Federal Assistance SF-
424 by the Grants.gov deadline.
•
Step 2: The applicant must submit the full application, including attachments, through
JustGrants by the deadline (see JusticeGrants.usdoj.gov).
Submission Step 1: Grants.gov Submission of SF-424
Access/Registration
If the applicant does not already have a Grants.gov account, they will need to register for this
opportunity in Grants.gov. Applicants should follow the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
Applicants to register, create a workspace, assign roles, submit an application, and troubleshoot
issues.
Submission of the SF-424
Applicants will begin the application process in Grants.gov with the submission of the SF-424,
which collects the applicant’s name, address, and UEI; the funding opportunity number; and
proposed project title, among other information. The SF-424 must be signed by the Grants.gov
Authorized Organizational Representative for the applicant.
See the Application Resource Guide for additional information on completing the SF-424.
Section 8F – Applicant Point of Contact: Please include the name and contact information of
the individual who will complete the application in JustGrants. JustGrants will use this
information (i.e., email address) to assign the application to this user in JustGrants.
Section 19 – Intergovernmental Review: This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive
Order (E.O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental Review). Applicants should answer section 19 by
selecting, “Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”
An applicant should submit the SF-424 as early as possible and recommended not later
than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. If an applicant fails to submit the SF-424 in
Grants.gov by the deadline, they will be unable to submit their application in JustGrants.
Once the first part of the application has been successfully submitted in Grants.gov, the
Grants.gov Workspace status will change from “In Progress” to “Submitted.” Applicants will also
receive a series of four Grants.gov email notifications. Refer to the DOJ Application Submission
Checklist for additional details.
If an applicant needs to update information in the SF-424 after it is submitted in Grants.gov, they
can update the information as part of their JustGrants submission (see Application Contents,
Submission Requirements, and Deadlines: Standard Applicant Information). They do not need
to submit an update in Grants.gov.
Submission Step 2: JustGrants Submission of Full Application
Access/Registration
For first-time JustGrants applicants, once the application is received from Grants.gov, DOJ will
send an email (from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov) to the email address listed in Section 8F of
the SF-424 with instructions on how to create a JustGrants account. This email should arrive
within 24 hours after confirmation from Grants.gov of the SF-424 submission.
Creating and setting up a JustGrants account consists of three steps:
1. Follow the instructions in the email to first confirm who will be the Entity Administrator
(the person who manages which staff can access JustGrants on behalf of the
applicant).
2. Log in to JustGrants and confirm the information in the Entity Profile.
3. Invite other individuals who will serve as the Application Submitter and the Authorized
Representative for the applicant to register for JustGrants.
These steps should be completed in JustGrants as early as possible and recommended not
later than 48 hours before the JustGrants deadline. Once registered in JustGrants, the

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
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Other
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Application
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Basic
Information
Application Submitter will receive a link in an email to complete the rest of the application in
JustGrants. Applicants can find additional information on JustGrants registration in the DOJ
Grant Application Submission Checklist.
Preparing for Submission
Some of the required sections of the application will be entered directly into JustGrants, and
other sections will require documents to be uploaded and attached. Therefore, applicants
should allow enough time before the JustGrants deadline to prepare, enter, and upload all the
requirements of the application.
Applicants may save their application in the system and add to or change the application as
needed prior to hitting the “Submit” button at the end of the application in JustGrants. Once the
application is submitted, no changes or additions can be made to the application. OJP
recommends that applicants submit the complete application package in JustGrants at
least 48 hours prior to the JustGrants deadline.
For additional information, including file name and type requirements, see the “How To Apply”
section in the Application Resource Guide and the Application Attachment Tips resource.
Standard Applicant Information
The Standard Applicant Information section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with
the SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. The applicant will need to review the Standard
Applicant Information in JustGrants and can make whatever edits are needed. Within this
section, the applicant will need to add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their
Authorized Representative; and confirm the organization’s unique entity identifier, legal name,
and address.
Proposal Abstract
A proposal abstract (no more than 2,000 characters) summarizing the proposed project must be
completed in the JustGrants web-based form. The text from abstracts will be made publicly
available on the OJP.gov and USASpending.gov websites if the project is awarded, so this
section of the application should not contain any personally identifiable information (e.g., the
name of the project director).
The abstract should be in paragraph form without bullets or tables and written in the third person
(e.g., they, the community, their, themselves, rather than I or we). The abstract should include
the following information:
•
The name of the applicant’s proposed project.
•
The purpose of the proposed project (i.e., what the project will do and why it is
necessary).
•
Where the project will take place (i.e., the service area, if applicable).
•
Who will be served by the project (i.e., who will be helped or have their needs
addressed by the project).
•
What activities will be carried out to complete the project.
•
The subrecipient(s)/partner organizations or entities, if known.
•
Deliverables and expected outcomes (i.e., what the project will achieve).
See the Application Resource Guide for an example of a proposal abstract.

Eligibility
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Data Requested With Application
Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire
(including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status)
The Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire helps OJP assess
what financial management and internal control systems the applicant has in place, whether
these systems would be sufficient to maintain a funding award, and the associated potential
risks of an applicant as part of the pre-award risk assessment process. Every OJP applicant
(other than an individual applying in their personal capacity, not representing an applicant
organization) is required to complete the web-based form in JustGrants. See the Application
Resource Guide: Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire
(including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status) for additional guidance on how to complete
the questionnaire.
Agency Funding Priorities Inventory
Applicants should complete the Agency Funding Priorities Inventory to indicate whether they are
seeking priority consideration based on any of the items listed in the Agency Funding Priorities
section, and if so, which priority(ies) their project will address.

Proposal Narrative
Proposals are expected to clearly identify the purpose area to which they are applying. If
applicants are requesting funds from both categories, a separate application must be submitted
for each category.
Format of the Proposal Narrative: The Proposal Narrative will be submitted as an attachment
in JustGrants. The attached document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point size
font; have no less than 1-inch margins; have numbered pages; and should not exceed 12
numbered pages. If the Proposal Narrative does not comply with these restrictions, OJP may
consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.
Sections of the Proposal Narrative: The Proposal Narrative must include the four sections
listed below. If the applicant seeks priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state
which priority goal(s) the applicant’s project will advance and describe how (see section, Agency
Funding Priorities under Program Description).
1. Description of the Need: What critical issue or problem is the applicant proposing to
address with this project? Please include:
•
A brief explanation of the need, gap, or issue to be addressed by the proposed
project, including the challenges faced by the agency when performing ME/C
services.
•
Supporting information, data, or evidence to demonstrate the need’s existence, size,
and impact, including the scope of the current state of ME/C issues.
•
How the need relates to the purpose of the NOFO, including the impact of the
project’s funding and staffing on the ME/C system and ME/C services in the United
States.
2. Project Goals and Objectives: How will the proposed project address the need identified
and address the purpose of the NOFO? Please include:

Eligibility
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•
Project goals (goals are broad, visionary statements on what the applicant hopes to
accomplish).
•
Project objectives (objectives are specific outcomes the applicant plans to achieve
through project activities).
•
How the applicant’s goals and objectives relate to the goals and objectives of the
NOFO.

3. Project Design and Implementation: How will the applicant implement project activities that
meet the goals and objectives? Please include:
•
The strategy to address the issues identified in the Description of the Need section,
particularly any areas of specific concern and the relevance to the program’s goals
and objectives.
•
The soundness in methods and approach to address the proposed project’s stated
objectives. The overall strategy should be well reasoned and appropriate to
accomplish the project’s goals.
•
The feasibility of the proposed project, including the likelihood of completion within
the proposed period of performance.
•
Any potential pitfalls in the proposed project’s design, as well as actions to minimize
and/or mitigate them.
•
A demonstration of the effectiveness of recruitment and/or advertising strategies
used by the agency to fill fellowship positions.
•
A demonstration of innovation and creativity (when appropriate).
4. Capabilities and Competencies: What administrative and technical capacity and expertise
does the applicant bring to successfully complete this project? Please include:
•
The qualifications and experience of the proposed project staff members, including
all individuals and organizations identified in the application who will be significantly
involved in the project.
•
The applicant organization’s ability to manage the effort.
•
The relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff
members (including the applicant organization) and the scope of the proposed
project.
•
The environment (e.g., institutional and jurisdictional support, equipment and other
physical resources, or collaborative arrangements) in which the work will be done
and its contribution to the probability of success. Address whether the program
meets or exceeds the ACGME-accredited forensic pathology fellowship requirements
if applicable.
•
How the proposed approach is affordable and cost-effective.
Project Evaluations: An applicant that proposes to use award funds to conduct project
evaluations must follow the guidance in the “Note on Project Evaluations” section in the
Application Resource Guide.
Budget and Associated Documentation: Budget Detail Form
The applicant will complete the JustGrants budget detail form. The form collects the individual
costs under each cost category needed to implement the proposed project. Applicants should
ensure that the name/description of each cost is clear and provide the detailed calculation (e.g.,
cost per unit and number of units) for the total cost. Applicants should enter additional narrative,

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as needed, to fully describe the cost calculations and connection to the project goals and
objectives (including, if applicable, describing connections to OJP priority goals).
Budget proposals should include the funding needed to implement the proposed activities. In
preparing their budget proposals, applicants should consider what types of costs are allowable,
if awarded funding. Costs are allowable when they are reasonable, allocable to, and necessary
for the performance of the project funded under the federal award and when they comply with
the funding statute and agency requirements, including the conditions of the award and the cost
principles set out in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide.
Permissible Expenses

Note (No-Cost Extensions)—If awarded, an award recipient can request a no-cost extension
to lengthen their project period. This would allow them the capability to complete their fellowship
program in relation to their state/local level timeframe, which may not correlate with the federal
fiscal year or federal project duration.

Category 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships
To help address the shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists in the United States,
allowable uses of funds for Purpose Area 1 include:
•
A salary/stipend for the fellow and related costs that may include fringe benefits (if
applicable), at the applicant institution’s discretion.
•
Loan Repayments—To offset the financial burden associated with educational debt and
assist with recruiting qualified candidates, an award recipient may use up to $75,000 of
the available $150,000 award amount for fellowship loan repayments for each fellowship
position. If they are applying for two fellowship positions, they may use up to $150,000 of
the available $300,000 award amount to make the loan repayments.
•
Recruitment Travel—As part of a marketing and recruitment strategy, applicants may
use a portion of funding for mentee-type travel, so that fellowship candidates may gain
more training and knowledge about the fellowships.
•
Equipment and Supplies—The purchase of minor equipment and supply items (e.g.,
microscopes) for fellows are allowable costs; however, all purchases need to be justified
and approved by BJA. The applicant will need to include information within their
application stating that the purchase of the item(s) is needed for fellows to complete the
program.
•
Certification Fees—Certification fees are allowable as long as the applicant can justify
that they are in support of the overall scope of the ME/C Program and purpose area. In
addition, the applicant must ensure that these fees are accurately articulated in the
budget.
•
Training, including travel associated with the fellow(s) attending training activities.
•
Medical license reimbursement.

Category 2: Medical Examiner-Coroner Office Accreditation
Accreditation provides an independent measure of quality assurance by assessing that an ME/C
office maintains written policies and procedures, adequate staff, equipment, training, and
suitable physical facilities to produce a forensically documented, accurate, and credible death
investigation product. Under this program, allowable uses of funds for Purpose Area 2 include:
•
Equipment and Supplies—Award funds may be used to purchase equipment and
supplies as long as the applicant can justify that the items are necessary to achieve or

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maintain accreditation. However, all purchases need to be justified and approved by
BJA.
•
Personnel—Funds may be used to pay personnel within the ME/C agencies that are
seeking certification.
•
Travel—Travel costs are allowable if they are incurred while supporting the ME/C office’s
accreditation.
•
Certification Fees—Certification fees are allowable as long as the applicant can justify
that they are in support of the overall scope of the ME/C Program and purpose area. In
addition, the applicant must ensure that these fees are accurately articulated in the
budget.
•
Funds may be used to support new ME/C office accreditation.
•
Funds may be used to maintain existing accreditation.

Expenses That Are Not Permitted
Category 1 and 2:
•
Supplanting is unallowable. Funds may not be used to supplant state or local funds but
must be used to increase the amounts of such funds that would, in the absence of
federal funds, be made available.
•
Construction costs. Recipient administrative expenses (direct or indirect) that exceed 10
percent of the total grant amount. The use of funds for the purchase and/or lease of
vehicles such as crime scene vans.

Category 2:
•
Stipends – The use of “stipends” for personnel within the applicant’s organization.

Additional information, including success stories and publications, is available at:
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/strengthening-mec/overview
Costs Associated With a Conference/Meeting/Training: An applicant that proposes to use
award funds for activities related to a conference, meeting, training, or similar event should
review the Application Resource Guide for information on prior approval, planning, and reporting
costs for a conference/meeting/training.
Costs Associated With Language Assistance and Access (if applicable): If an applicant
proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to individuals, the costs of
taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services or benefits for
individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable in specific grant programs. Costs to
provide reasonable accommodation and facilitate language access for individuals who are deaf
or hard of hearing may also be allowable in specific grant programs. See the Application
Resource Guide for information on costs associated with language assistance.
For additional information about how to prepare a budget for federal funding, see the Application
Resource Guide section on “Budget Preparation and Submission Information” and the technical
steps to complete the budget form in JustGrants in the Complete the Application in JustGrants:
Budget training.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): An applicant with a current, federally approved
indirect cost rate agreement should upload it as an attachment in JustGrants.
Indirect costs are costs of an organization that are not readily assignable to a particular project
but are necessary for the operation of the organization and the performance of the project.
Examples of costs usually treated as indirect include those incurred for operation and
maintenance of offices or workspaces and salaries of administrative or support staff. The
requirements for the development and submission of indirect cost proposals and cost allocation
plans are listed in Appendices III–VII of 2 C.F.R. Part 200. A non-federal applicant should follow
the guidelines applicable to its type of organization. See the DOJ Grants Financial Guide and
the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on indirect cost rate
agreements.
Consultant Rate (if applicable): OJP has established maximum rates for consultants; see the
“Listing of Costs Requiring Prior Approval” section of the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for more
information. If an applicant proposes a rate for a consultant on their project that is higher than
the established maximum rate and receives an award, then the award recipient must submit a
document requesting approval for the rate and cannot incur costs at the higher rate without prior
OJP approval. The award recipient must provide justification for why the proposed rate is higher
than the established maximum rate, such as why the rate is reasonable and consistent with that
paid for similar services in the marketplace.
Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards Over
$250,000; Waiver (if applicable): If an applicant proposes to hire employees with federal award
funds, for any award of more than $250,000, the recipient may not use federal funds to pay total
cash compensation (salary plus cash bonuses) to any employee of the recipient at a rate that
exceeds 110 percent of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the federal
government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance
Appraisal System for that year. Applicants may request a waiver from this requirement by
submitting the appropriate form. See the Application Resource Guide for information on the
“Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards over $250,000;
Waiver.”
Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable):
An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may be required to make certain disclosures
relating to the processes it uses to determine the compensation of its officers, directors,
trustees, and key employees. If applicable, the applicant will upload a description of the process
used to determine executive compensation as an attachment in JustGrants. See the Application
Resource Guide for information.
Additional Application Components
The applicant should attach the additional requested documentation listed below in JustGrants.
•
Accreditation Documentation – Category 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships
o Acceptable types of documentation of current accreditation include: an electronic
(scanned) copy of the current accreditation certificate(s), a digital photograph of

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the current accreditation certificate(s), or a letter from the accrediting body that
includes the certificate number.
o Additionally, if a certificate references another document that contains key
information on the type or scope of the accreditation, provide a copy of that
supplemental documentation. Independent accrediting or certifying organizations
may include the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or other
appropriate accrediting bodies.
•
Accreditation Documentation – Category 2: Medical Examiner-Coroner Office
Accreditation
o Acceptable types of documentation of current accreditation include: an electronic
(scanned) copy of the current accreditation certificate(s), a digital photograph of
the current accreditation certificate(s), or a letter from the accrediting body that
includes the certificate number.
o Additionally, if a certificate references another document that contains key
information on the type or scope of the accreditation, provide a copy of that
supplemental documentation. Independent accrediting or certifying organizations
may include the National Association of Medical Examiners, the International
Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, or other appropriate accrediting
bodies.
Note: If the office is not currently accredited, the applicant may provide documentation that
demonstrates they are seeking accreditation.
•
List of Individuals in the Application
o Organizational Chart—Of the applicant agency and all proposed collaborators
involved in the project. Include project-related staffing plans and narratives for
each organizational chart, proposed new hires, and any anticipated staffing
changes related to the Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System
Program funding if received.

Position Descriptions and Résumés—Curriculum vitae, resumes, or
biographical sketches for key personnel. Attach this as a separate PDF
file titled “Curriculum Vitae or Resumes.”
o List (to the extent known) of All Proposed Project Staff Members—The list should
include those affiliated with the applicant organization or any proposed
subrecipient organization(s), any proposed consultant(s) and contractors
(whether individuals or organizations), and any proposed members of an
advisory board for the project (if applicable). The list should include for each
individual and organization: name, title (if applicable), employer or other
organizational affiliation, and roles and responsibilities proposed for the project.
Attach this as a separate PDF file titled “Proposed Project Staff.”
•
Curriculum Vitae or Resumes: Provide resumes of key personnel who will work on the
proposed project or a description of the experience and skills of key personnel
necessary to implement the project.
•
Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable): An application in response to this NOFO
may require inclusion of Tribal authorizing documentation as an attachment. If

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applicable, the applicant will upload the Tribal authorizing documentation as an
attachment in JustGrants. See the Application Resource Guide for information on Tribal
authorizing resolutions.
Disclosures and Assurances
The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: JustGrants will prompt each applicant to indicate if it is
required to complete and submit a lobbying disclosure under 31 U.S.C. § 1352.
The applicant is required by law to complete and submit a lobbying disclosure form (Standard
Form/SF-LLL) if it has paid or will pay any person to lobby in connection with the award for
which it is applying AND this application is for an award in excess of $100,000. This disclosure
requirement is not applicable to such payments by an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or any
other Indian organization that are permitted by other federal law.
Lobbying means (for this requirement) influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an
employee of a member of Congress. See 31 U.S.C. 1352; 28 C.F.R. part 69. Note: Most
applicants do not engage in activities that trigger this disclosure requirement.
An applicant that is not required by law (31 U.S.C. 1352) to complete and submit a lobbying
disclosure, should enter “No.” By doing so, the applicant is affirmatively asserting (under
applicable penalties) that it has nothing to disclose under 31 U.S.C. § 1352 with regard to the
application for the award at issue.
Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items: To ensure funding coordination across grantmaking
agencies, and to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate duplication of grant funding, the applicant
must disclose if it has any pending applications for federal funding, including pending
applications for subawards of federal funds, for the same project and the same budget items
included in this proposal. Complete the JustGrants Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost
Items form. See the Application Resource Guide for additional information.
DOJ Certified Standard Assurances: Review and accept the DOJ Certified Standard
Assurances in JustGrants. See the Application Resource Guide for additional information.
DOJ Certifications: Review the DOJ document Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements;
Coordination with Affected Agencies. An applicant must review and sign the certification
document in JustGrants. See the Application Resource Guide for more information.
Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High-Risk Grantees (if applicable): If
applicable, submit the DOJ High-Risk Disclosure and Justification as an attachment in
JustGrants. A DOJ high-risk recipient is an award recipient that has received a DOJ high-risk
designation based on a documented history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability,
management system or other internal control deficiencies, noncompliance with award terms and
conditions on prior awards, or that is otherwise not responsible. See the Application Resource
Guide for additional information.
Submission Dates & Times
Refer to Basic Information: Key Dates and Times for the submission dates and times.

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Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible and recommended not later
than 48 hours before the deadlines. To be considered timely, the full application must be
submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline. Applicants will use the Certify
and Submit feature in JustGrants to confirm that all required application components have been
entered, which includes identifying the Authorized Representative for the applicant. Once the
application is submitted, the Application Submitter, Authorized Representative, and Entity
Administrator receive a confirmation email.
An applicant will receive emails after successfully submitting application components in
Grants.gov and JustGrants and should retain all emails and other confirmations received from
the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants systems.
Experiencing Technical Issues Preventing Submission of
an Application (Technical Waivers)
If an applicant misses a deadline due to unforeseen technical issues with SAM.gov,
Grants.gov, or JustGrants, the applicant may request a waiver to submit an application
after the deadline. OJP will only consider requests to submit an application via
alternative methods or after the deadline when the applicant can document that there is
a technical issue with a government system that was beyond their control and that
prevents submission of the application via the standard process prior to the deadlines.
Issues resulting from circumstances within the applicant’s control, such as failure to
begin the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants registration and application process in
sufficient time, will not be considered.
Requests and documentation must be sent to the OJP Response Center at
OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. Applicants should follow these steps if they
experience a technical issue:
1. Contact the relevant help desk to report the issue and receive a tracking
number.
See Basic Information: Contact Information for the phone numbers, email
addresses, and operating hours of the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants
help desks. Reports of technical issues to the help desk must occur before the
application deadline.
If an applicant calls the help desk and experiences a long wait time, they can
also email the help desk to obtain a tracking number. Tracking numbers are
generated automatically when an applicant emails the applicable service desk,
and for this reason, long call wait times for support do not relieve the applicant
of the responsibility of getting a tracking number.

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2. If an applicant has technical issues with SAM.gov or Grants.gov, the
applicant must contact the OJP Response Center at
OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov within 24 hours of the Grants.gov
deadline to request approval to submit after the deadline. The applicant’s
request will need to include:
•
A description of the technical difficulties experienced (provide
screenshots if applicable).
•
A timeline of the applicant’s submission efforts (e.g., date and time the
error occurred, date and time of actions taken to resolve the issue and
resubmit and date and time support representatives responded).
•
An attachment of the complete grant application and all the required
documentation and materials (this serves as a “manual” submission of
the application).
•
The applicant’s unique entity identifier (UEI).
•
Any SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants Service Desk tracking/ticket
numbers documenting the technical issue.
3. If an applicant has technical issues with JustGrants that prevent
application submission by the deadline, the applicant must contact the
OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov within 24 hours
of the JustGrants deadline to request approval to submit after the
deadline. See step 2 for the list of information the applicant must provide
as part of its request.
As a reminder: the waiver request will not be considered unless it includes
documentation of attempts to receive technical assistance to resolve the issue prior to
the application deadline. OJP will review each waiver request and the required
supporting documentation and notify the applicant whether the request for late
submission has been approved or denied. An applicant that does not provide
documentation of a technical issue (including all information previously listed), or that
does not submit a waiver request within the required time period, will be denied.
For more details on the waiver process, OJP encourages applicants to review the
“Experiencing Technical Issues” section in the Application Resource Guide.

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APPLICATION REVIEW
Responsiveness (Basic Minimum Requirements)
Review
OJP screens applications to ensure they meet the basic minimum requirements
(BMR) prior to conducting the merit review. Following are the basic minimum requirements for
this funding opportunity. If OJP determines that an application does not include these elements,
it will not proceed to merit review and will not receive any further consideration.
•
The application is submitted by an eligible applicant.
•
The requested award amount does not exceed the award ceiling.
•
The application is responsive to the scope of the NOFO.
•
The following application elements are included:
o SF-424 (Grants.gov)
o Proposal Abstract (in JustGrants)
o Proposal Narrative (in JustGrants)
o Budget Detail form, which includes the budget items, their calculations, and
explanation (in JustGrants)
Applicants whose application fails to meet the BMR are provided notice (including appeal
instructions) within a few weeks after the submission due date.
Merit Review Criteria
Peer Review Criteria
Applications that meet the basic minimum requirements will be evaluated for technical merit by
peer reviewers based on how the proposed project/program addresses the following criteria:
•
Statement of the Problem/Description of the Issue (15%): What critical issue or
problem the applicant is proposing to address with this project.
•
Project Goals and Objectives (15%): How the proposed project will address the
identified need and the purpose of the funding opportunity.
•
Project Design and Implementation (15%): The strength of how the applicant will
implement activities, including the soundness of the project design and how the activities
align to the stated goals and objectives.
•
Capabilities and Competencies (15%): The applicant’s administrative and technical
capacity to successfully complete this project.
•
Plan for Collecting the Data Required for This NOFO’s Performance Metrics (10%):
The applicants understanding of the performance data reporting requirements and the
plan for collecting the required data.
•
Budget (10%): Completeness and cost effectiveness.
•
Other Expected Outcomes/Potential Impact (20%): How the proposed project will
meet the stated goals and objectives and ultimately improve the ME/C system.
Programmatic and Financial Review Criteria
After the peer review, applications undergo additional programmatic and financial reviews. OJP
staff may reach out to applicants during the programmatic or financial review if a submitted form
is incomplete or needs to be updated. Note that OJP staff are not authorized to provide

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information on peer review scores or comment on programmatic, risk, or budget/financial
reviews while the merit review is in progress.
In addition to BMR and peer review criteria, other important considerations for OJP include
geographic coverage, strategic priorities (including, but not limited to, the priority areas already
mentioned, if applicable), available funding, past performance, and the extent to which the
budget detail form accurately explains project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and
otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles. If cost
sharing/match is not required for this opportunity, applicants will not receive higher consideration
by proposing a voluntary match contribution in their budget.
Risk Review
Pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, before award decisions are made, OJP also
reviews information related to applicant risk. OJP assesses whether an applicant with one or
more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record of performance, integrity, and business
ethics, including by (among other things) checking whether the applicant is listed in SAM.gov as
excluded from receiving a federal award.
Depending on the severity and nature of the risk factors, the risk assessment may result in the
removal of an applicant from consideration or selection for award, or it may result in additional
post-award conditions and oversight for an awarded applicant.
In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $250,000 in federal funds, OJP also
must review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public
segment of the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov.
Important Note on Responsibility/Qualification Data (formerly FAPIIS): An applicant may
review and comment on any information about its organization that currently appears in
SAM.gov and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP will consider such comments by
the applicant, in addition to the other information in SAM.gov, in its assessment of the risk posed
by the applicant.
Selection Process
All final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, unless a statute
explicitly authorizes award decisions by another official or there is written delegation of authority
to another official. This official may consider not only peer review ratings and program office
recommendations, but also other factors as indicated in the “Application Review” section to
make final award decisions. For additional information on the application review process, see
the Application Resource Guide.

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AWARD NOTICES
Federal Award Notices
For successful applicants, JustGrants will send a system-generated email to the
Application Submitter, Authorized Representative, and Entity Administrator with
information on accessing their official award package in JustGrants. The award package will
include key information (such as funding amount and period of performance) as well as award
conditions that must be followed. The Authorized Representative for the entity should accept or
decline the award within 45 days of the notification. See the Application Resource Guide for
information on award notifications and instructions.
Applicants not selected for an award will receive notification after all award recipients have been
notified. OJP also provides unsuccessful applicants with a summary of peer reviewer
comments.
Future Funding Opportunities
OJP may, in certain cases, provide additional funding in future years to awards made under this
funding opportunity through continuation awards. When making continuation award decisions,
OJP will consider, among other factors, OJP’s strategic priorities, a recipient’s overall
management of the award, and the progress of the work funded under the award.
Applications submitted under this FY 2025 funding opportunity may be funded in future fiscal
years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and the
availability of appropriations.

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POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND
ADMINISTRATION
Reporting
All award recipients under this funding opportunity will be required to submit the
following reports and data:
•
Quarterly financial reports.
•
Semi-annual performance reports.
•
Final financial and performance reports.
•
If applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the Part 200 Uniform
Requirements or specific award conditions.
See the Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award reporting
requirements, including performance measure data and the method for submitting reports in
OJP's online systems. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are
delinquent, and in appropriate cases, OJP may require additional reports.
Performance Measure Reporting
Award recipients are required to submit performance measure data and performance reports in
JustGrants on a semi-annual basis. Applicants selected for an award will receive further
guidance on post-award reporting processes.
Program- and Award-Specific Award Conditions
OJP includes various conditions on its awards. These may include program-specific conditions,
which typically apply to all recipients of a funding opportunity, and award-specific conditions,
which are included to address recipient-specific issues (e.g., programmatic or financial risk).
Recipients may view all conditions, and actions required to satisfy those conditions, in the award
package in JustGrants.
Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements
If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-
approved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions and all applicable
requirements of federal statutes and regulations, including the applicable requirements referred
to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance. For
additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and
Other Legal Requirements” section in the Application Resource Guide.
Civil Rights Compliance
If a successful applicant accepts funding from OJP—as a recipient of OJP funding—that award
recipient must comply with certain federal civil rights laws that prohibit the award recipient from
discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability in how it
delivers its program’s services or benefits and in its employment practices. The civil rights laws
that may be applicable to the award include, but are not limited to, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, the nondiscrimination provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These and other federal civil rights laws
are discussed in greater detail on OJP’s Legal Overview—FY 2025 Awards webpage under the

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“Civil Rights Requirements” section. Additional resources are available from the OJP Office for
Civil Rights.
Compliance with Federal civil rights and nondiscrimination laws is material to the government’s
decision to make any award and payment under this program, including for purposes of the
False Claims Act, and each recipient will be required to certify (in its acceptance of the
conditions of the award) that it does not operate any programs (including any such programs
having components relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion) that violate any applicable Federal
civil rights or nondiscrimination laws.
See OJP’s Partnerships with Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations webpage for
specific information for faith-based organizations applying under this NOFO.
Financial Management and System of Internal Controls
Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through
entities) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303,
comply with standards for financial and program management. See the Application Resource
Guide for additional information.
Information Technology Security Clauses
An application in response to this NOFO may require inclusion of information related to
information technology security. See the Application Resource Guide for more information.
Other Reporting Requirements
Applicants and recipients are required to notify OJP if you know that you or any of your
organization’s principals for the award transaction are presently excluded or disqualified (i.e.,
debarred or suspended) or otherwise meet any of the criteria in 2 C.F.R. 180.335. Recipients
must comply with requirements in 2 C.F.R. Part 180, as implemented by DOJ in 2 C.F.R. Part
2867, which, among other things, require recipients to check certain information sources and, in
some cases, notify the federal awarding agency prior to the agency awarding federal funds via
contracts or subawards.
If a recipient’s award includes a federal share of more than $500,000 over the period of
performance of the award, then the award (per 2 C.F.R. 200.113) will include a condition that
may require the recipient to report and maintain certain information (relating to certain criminal,
civil, and administrative proceedings) in SAM.gov. See the Reporting Requirements page for
more information.

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
OTHER INFORMATION
Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of
Programs and Activities
OJP may conduct or support an evaluation of the projects and activities funded
under this NOFO. For additional information on what should be included in the application, see
the Application Resource Guide section “Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of
Programs and Activities.”
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
See the Application Resource Guide for important information on the Freedom of Information
and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 552 and 552a).
Applicants are advised not to include any unnecessary personally identifiable information,
sensitive law enforcement information, or confidential financial information with the application.
Provide Feedback to OJP
See the Application Resource Guide for information on how to provide feedback to OJP.

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
BJA FY25 Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program
This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an
application. For more information, reference the “OJP Application Submission
Steps” in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the DOJ Application Submission
Checklist.
SAM.gov Registration/Renewal
•
Confirm that your entity’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is
active through the NOFO period. Submit a new or renewal registration in SAM.gov, if
needed (see Application Resource Guide).
Grants.gov Registration
•
Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov username
and password (see Application Resource Guide).
•
Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) (see
Application Resource Guide).
Grants.gov Opportunity Search
•
Search for the funding opportunity in Grants.gov using the opportunity number (O-BJA-
2025-172448), assistance listing number, or keyword(s).
•
Select the correct Competition ID: O-BJA-2025-172448
•
Access the funding opportunity and application package (see Step 7 under “OJP
Application Submission Steps” in the Application Resource Guide).
•
Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see Application Resource Guide).
Funding Opportunity Review and Project Planning
•
Review all sections of the NOFO.
•
Confirm your entity is eligible to receive funding (see Eligibility: Eligible Applicants).
•
Confirm your proposed budget is within the allowable limits (see Basic Information:
Funding Details), includes only allowable costs (see Application Contents, Submission
Requirements, and Deadlines: Budget Detail Form), and includes cost sharing if
applicable (see Eligibility: Cost Sharing/Match Requirements).
•
Review the performance measures for this funding opportunity and confirm you will be
prepared to collect and report on this data (see Program Description: Performance
Measures).
•
Review the “Legal Overview—FY 2025 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center
and confirm you are prepared to follow the requirements.
•
Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting under
“Listing of Costs Requiring Prior Approval” in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide or see the
Application Resource Guide.
Submission Step 1: Grants.gov
After registering with SAM.gov, submit the SF-424 in Grants.gov.
•
Complete and submit the SF-424 by the deadline.

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
•
Confirm Section 8F of the SF-424 lists the name and contact information of the individual
who will complete the application in JustGrants.
•
Confirm that, within 48 hours of your submission in Grants.gov, you receive four (4)
Grants.gov email notifications:
o A submission receipt
o A validation receipt
o A grantor agency retrieval receipt
o An agency tracking number assignment
•
If no Grants.gov receipt and validation email is received, or if error notifications are
received, contact Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035,
or support@grants.gov regarding technical difficulties (see the Application Resource
Guide section on “Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues”).
•
Confirm that, within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the
individual listed in Section 8F of the SF-424 receives an email from JustGrants with login
instructions.
Submission Step 2: JustGrants
•
Complete the following information:
o Entity and User Verification (first-time applicants)
o Standard Applicant Information
o Proposal Abstract*
o Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see
Application Resource Guide)
o Agency Funding Priorities Inventory
•
Upload the Proposal Narrative.*
•
Complete the budget detail form.*
•
Upload other budget/financial attachments, as applicable.
•
Upload additional application components, as applicable.
o Accreditation Documentation – For Purpose Area 1: Forensic Pathology Fellowships
(if applicable)
o Accreditation Documentation – For Purpose Area 2: Medical Examiner-Coroner
Office Accreditation (if applicable)
o Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see Application Resource Guide)
o https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guideRequest and
Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if applicable) (see Application
Resource Guide)
o Position descriptions and resumes
o List of all proposed project staff members
o List of procurement contracts (if applicable)
o Organizational chart
o Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist – National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) Complete the required disclosures and assurances.
•
Disclosures and Assurances
o Disclosure of Lobbying Activities and submission of SF-LLL, if prompted by the
system
o Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items
o DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

Eligibility
Program
Description
Application
Submission
Application
Review
Award
Notices
Post-Award
Requirements
Other
Information
Application
Checklist
Basic
Information
o Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High-Risk Grantees
o Complete the required DOJ Certification on Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and
Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Coordination with
Affected Agencies.
*Note: Items designated with an asterisk must be submitted for an application to meet
the basic minimum requirements review. If OJP determines that an application does not
include the designated items, it will neither proceed to peer review nor receive further
consideration.
JustGrants Review, Certification, and Application Submission
•
Address any validation errors displayed on screen after attempted submission, then
return to the “Certify and Submit” screen to submit the application.
•
Note the confirmation message at the top of the page. Users will also receive a
notification in the “bell” alerts confirming submission.
•
If you do not receive an application submission confirmation email or validation from
JustGrants, or if you receive an error notification, please contact the JustGrants Service
Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. See the Application Resource
Guide for additional information.