BJA FY25 Invited to Apply– Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (FTTA) Program | O BJA 2025 172621

FAQs: BJA FY25 Invited to Apply - Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (FTTA) Program

What is the BJA FY25 FTTA Program?

The BJA FY25 Invited to Apply - Forensics Training and Technical Assistance (FTTA) Program is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding opportunity issued as a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). It is designed to strengthen how forensic science is delivered and supported across the criminal justice system by providing training and technical assistance (TTA) that helps jurisdictions better plan, implement, and improve their forensic science grant-funded projects.

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The main purpose is to provide training and technical assistance that improves how state and local jurisdictions use their forensic science grant awards, boosts program performance, and elevates forensic practice. The intent is not to fund routine operations, but to help address common implementation challenges, share proven approaches, and support improvements that lead to more consistent and higher-quality forensic outcomes.

Is this grant meant to fund routine forensic operations?

No. The posting states the intent is not simply to fund routine operations. Instead, it focuses on capacity-building through training and technical assistance, including problem-solving support, sharing effective practices, and helping sites adopt improvements that increase quality and consistency.

What kinds of activities does FTTA support?

Based on the posting, FTTA support includes helping award recipients plan and execute projects effectively, troubleshoot obstacles, and measure results to demonstrate impact. It also emphasizes improving the quality and practice of forensic science through innovative solutions, advances in development and technology, better information exchange, and the creation or dissemination of training and best-practices resources.

Who is the intended audience or beneficiary of the FTTA support?

The FTTA effort is designed to support state and local jurisdictions and other site-based award recipients across multiple forensic science grant programs. The broader beneficiaries include forensic practitioners and the criminal justice community that rely on improved forensic practice and consistent, high-quality outcomes.

How is this opportunity structured across forensic grant programs?

The opportunity is structured to support state and local, site-based awards that fall under nine separate forensic science grant programs. In practical terms, the FTTA effort is intended to act as a capacity-builder across those programs by helping recipients implement their projects effectively and improve performance.

What does "invited to apply" mean for eligibility?

"Invited to apply" means this is not an open competition. Only an organization that received an official invitation letter from BJA is eligible to submit an application under this NOFO.

Who is eligible to apply for this specific opportunity?

Eligibility is extremely limited. According to the posting, applications will only be accepted from Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International.

Can other organizations apply if they provide forensic training and technical assistance?

No. The posting indicates this is not an open opportunity for other potential providers. Applications will only be accepted from RTI International, and eligibility is limited to organizations with an official invitation letter from BJA.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement imply compared to a standard grant?

The posting notes that a cooperative agreement typically means the federal agency expects substantial involvement during the project period. This often translates into closer coordination with BJA, more structured deliverables, and ongoing collaboration to ensure the training and technical assistance approach aligns with federal priorities and the needs of grantees in the field.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed in the posting is $2,500,000.

How many awards will be made?

The posting does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided information. However, the single-invite structure suggests a very limited award count consistent with selecting a designated provider to deliver FTTA support across the targeted programs.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O BJA 2025 172621.

What is the activity area for this NOFO?

The activity area is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

What is the CFDA (assistance listing) number?

The CFDA (assistance listing) number is 16.044.

When was this notice created?

The notice was created on May 27, 2026.

What is the application closing date?

The original closing date listed is June 10, 2026.

What does the FTTA program emphasize in terms of improving forensic science?

The posting emphasizes innovative solutions to improve forensic science quality and practice, including advances in development and technology, better information exchange, and the creation or dissemination of training and best-practices resources for practitioners and the broader criminal justice community.

What does "site-based awards" mean in the context provided?

In the context provided, "site-based awards" refers to awards made to state and local jurisdictions under the nine forensic science grant programs, where implementation occurs at those jurisdictions or sites. The FTTA effort is meant to help those award recipients implement projects effectively, resolve common problems, and measure performance.

Is this opportunity focused on measuring results and impact?

Yes. The posting describes FTTA support as including helping award recipients measure results in a way that demonstrates real impact, alongside planning, execution, and troubleshooting support.