Opportunity Information: Apply for NIJ 2019 15523
The Strengthening the Medical Examiner - Coroner System Program, FY 2019 (NIJ 2019 15523) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), under CFDA 16.560 (science and technology and other research and development). The central problem it targets is the nationwide shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists, a gap highlighted prominently in the National Academies 2009 report on strengthening forensic science in the United States. The program frames this shortage as a public safety and justice issue because medical examiner and coroner offices play a direct role in death investigations, courtroom testimony, and the reliability of findings that can affect criminal cases, public health responses, and family outcomes.
The solicitation focuses on strengthening the medical examiner-coroner (ME/C) system through two main project areas. First, it supports efforts intended to increase both the number and the quality of board-certified forensic pathologists entering the field, particularly encouraging physicians who have completed an accredited pathology residency to pursue the forensic pathology subspecialty. In practical terms, this project area is meant to build the pipeline and improve professional readiness in a field where staffing shortfalls can create backlogs, delay death certifications, and reduce the capacity for timely, high-quality autopsies and medicolegal consultations.
Second, the program assists medical examiner and coroner offices in achieving formal accreditation through recognized accreditation bodies, with examples including NAME (National Association of Medical Examiners) and IACME (International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners). This part of the opportunity is aimed at helping offices meet the operational, quality management, and performance standards required for accreditation. By pushing toward accreditation, the program emphasizes consistent procedures, better documentation, and stronger quality controls, all of which can improve the credibility of findings and support more uniform data reporting and casework practices across jurisdictions.
NIJ links the program to the broader Office of Justice Programs (OJP) mission of increasing public safety and improving the fair administration of justice through innovative leadership and programming. The underlying rationale is that stronger ME/C services and adherence to accreditation requirements can produce more reliable forensic determinations, reduce errors, and improve the consistency of how deaths are investigated and reported. Better compliance with recognized standards is also presented as a way to strengthen service quality and the integrity of reporting systems, which can matter for criminal investigations, overdose surveillance, mortality statistics, and cross-agency coordination.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity was released on April 11, 2019, with an original application deadline of June 12, 2019. NIJ anticipated making about 15 awards, with an award ceiling of $100,000 per grant. Eligibility was broad and included state, county, city or township, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories as specified); private institutions of higher education; individuals; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as further clarified in the solicitation’s eligibility notes. Overall, the program is structured to help jurisdictions and partners address staffing shortages in forensic pathology and raise the quality and consistency of medicolegal death investigation through accreditation-focused improvements.Apply for NIJ 2019 15523
- 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 "Strengthening the Medical Examiner - Coroner System Program, FY 2019" 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 Apr 11, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 12, 2019. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Strengthening the Medical Examiner - Coroner System Program, FY 2019 (NIJ 2019 15523)?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The program is intended to strengthen the medical examiner-coroner (ME/C) system, with a specific emphasis on addressing the nationwide shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists and supporting accreditation-focused improvements in ME/C offices.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), which is part of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 16.560 (science and technology and other research and development).
What problem is this program designed to address?
The program targets the nationwide shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists. The solicitation frames this shortage as a public safety and justice issue because ME/C offices play a direct role in death investigations, courtroom testimony, and the reliability of findings that can affect criminal cases, public health responses, and family outcomes.
How does NIJ justify the importance of this funding?
NIJ links the program to OJP's mission of increasing public safety and improving the fair administration of justice. The rationale is that stronger ME/C services and adherence to accreditation requirements can produce more reliable forensic determinations, reduce errors, and improve consistency in how deaths are investigated and reported.
What are the main project areas supported by this solicitation?
The solicitation focuses on two main project areas: (1) efforts to increase both the number and quality of board-certified forensic pathologists entering the field, and (2) assistance for medical examiner and coroner offices pursuing formal accreditation through recognized accreditation bodies.
What does the program support related to forensic pathologist workforce development?
It supports efforts intended to increase the number and quality of board-certified forensic pathologists entering the field, particularly encouraging physicians who have completed an accredited pathology residency to pursue the forensic pathology subspecialty. This is framed as building the pipeline and improving readiness in a field where staffing shortfalls can lead to backlogs and delays.
Why does the solicitation emphasize board certification for forensic pathologists?
Based on the solicitation description, the shortage specifically involves board-certified forensic pathologists, and the program is oriented toward strengthening staffing capacity and professional readiness to support timely, high-quality medicolegal services.
How can staffing shortages in forensic pathology affect communities?
The solicitation notes that staffing shortfalls can create backlogs, delay death certifications, and reduce capacity for timely, high-quality autopsies and medicolegal consultations. These impacts can affect criminal cases, public health responses, and outcomes for families.
What does the program support related to accreditation for ME/C offices?
The program assists medical examiner and coroner offices in achieving formal accreditation through recognized accreditation bodies. This support is aimed at helping offices meet operational, quality management, and performance standards required for accreditation.
Which accreditation bodies are mentioned as examples?
The opportunity references recognized accreditation bodies and gives examples including NAME (National Association of Medical Examiners) and IACME (International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners).
What kinds of improvements are tied to pursuing accreditation under this program?
The solicitation describes accreditation as emphasizing consistent procedures, better documentation, and stronger quality controls. These changes are presented as ways to improve the credibility of findings and support more uniform data reporting and casework practices across jurisdictions.
How can accreditation-focused improvements affect criminal justice and public health?
According to the solicitation description, improved compliance with recognized standards can strengthen service quality and the integrity of reporting systems. The program notes that this can matter for criminal investigations, overdose surveillance, mortality statistics, and cross-agency coordination.
When was this funding opportunity released?
The opportunity was released on April 11, 2019.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was June 12, 2019.
How many awards did NIJ anticipate making?
NIJ anticipated making about 15 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling stated for this opportunity is $100,000 per grant.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
Who is eligible to apply for this program?
Eligibility is described as broad and includes: state, county, city or township, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories as specified); private institutions of higher education; individuals; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as further clarified in the solicitation's eligibility notes.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals are listed among the eligible applicant types.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The solicitation includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are included, both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), with the note that higher education institutions are excluded within those nonprofit categories as specified.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible. The eligibility language also notes exclusions related to higher education institutions within certain nonprofit categories, as specified in the solicitation.
What kinds of organizations within government are eligible?
The opportunity lists state, county, city or township, and special district governments as eligible applicant types.
What does NIJ mean by strengthening the ME/C system?
Based on the description provided, strengthening the ME/C system includes building the workforce pipeline for board-certified forensic pathologists and supporting ME/C offices in meeting accreditation standards through improvements such as consistent procedures, documentation, and quality controls.
How does this program relate to the National Academies 2009 report?
The solicitation cites the National Academies 2009 report on strengthening forensic science in the United States as prominently highlighting the shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists.
What outcomes does NIJ associate with stronger ME/C services under this program?
The program describes expected benefits such as more reliable forensic determinations, fewer errors, improved consistency in investigations and reporting, and stronger credibility of findings. It also emphasizes improved uniformity in data reporting and casework practices across jurisdictions.
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