How You Can Use Funds

Restrictions
Certain awards to applicants with unexpended funds on prior years' awards from NIJ for analysis of backlogged forensic DNA casework samples may contain conditions that restrict access to funds awarded for certain types of expenses. Please refer to Restrictions on Access to Award Funds in Certain Circumstances.

All funds awarded must be used to further the program goals of reducing forensic DNA sample turnaround time, increasing the throughput of public DNA laboratories, and reducing DNA forensic casework backlogs.

Permissible uses of funds under this program may include the following: 

1. Salary and benefits of additional laboratory employees: Funds may be used to hire additional full-time or part-time laboratory employees who will be directly engaged in handling, screening, and/or analyzing forensic evidence that may contain DNA, or in validating new DNA analysis technologies. Matching funds are not required.
   
   Note: NIJ makes no assurance that funds will be available for this purpose in future award announcements.
2. Overtime for existing laboratory staff: Funds may be used to pay overtime for existing laboratory employees who will be directly engaged in handling, screening, and analyzing forensic evidence that may contain DNA, or in validating new DNA analysis technologies. Any payments for overtime must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.
3. Training: Funds may be used for appropriate training of DNA laboratory personnel.
   Existing members of the DNA unit: Appropriate training may include internal or external training, appropriate continuing education/training opportunities, and/or applicable graduate-level coursework that is directly related to the applicant's forensic DNA laboratory operation and is for members of the DNA Unit. (Reasonable travel expenses directly associated with training may be paid in accordance with the provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.)
   
   Funds associated with internal or external training, appropriate continuing education/training opportunities, and/or applicable graduate-level coursework for existing members of the DNA Unit (including travel expenses) are limited to no more than 5 percent of the total award. Such funds will be awarded with the intended purpose of aiding existing members of the DNA Unit to meet the continuing educational requirements mandated in DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
   
   New members of the DNA Unit: States and units of local government that wish to use funds to train new employees to handle, screen, or analyze DNA evidence should submit a detailed plan for training these individuals with their proposal. There is no fixed percentage cap on the funds for this purpose.
   
4. Travel (limited): Funds may be used for travel to public or private accredited laboratories that will conduct DNA analyses to review procedures and practices prior to initial sample shipment, and to make one additional unannounced site visit. Funds may also be used for travel associated with DNA training as described above. Travel expenses must be reasonable and must comply with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.
5. Equipment: Funds may be used for upgrading, replacing, and purchasing laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and computer hardware or software (e.g., LIMS or expert systems) for forensic DNA analyses and data management.
6. Supplies for validation: Allowable supply expenses include the purchase of laboratory supplies that can be directly attributed to the validation of new DNA analysis technologies. Convicted offender-related evidence collection kits may also be purchased.
7. Supplies for in-house laboratory handling, screening, and analysis of forensic DNA casework samples: These costs include any supplies necessary for the handling, screening, and analysis of backlogged forensic casework samples.
   
8. Renovation: Funds may be used for renovations to existing DNA laboratory facilities if it can be demonstrated that the purchases will directly and specifically improve the efficiency of the forensic DNA laboratory. Expenses that may be allowable include the purchase or upgrade of benches, cabinets, interior dividing walls, plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, evidence examination and preparation rooms, evidence storage rooms, drying rooms, walk-in freezers, and extraction or amplification rooms.
9. Consultant and contractor services other than sending forensic DNA casework samples to accredited fee-for-service laboratories for analysis: Funds may be used to hire consultants and/or temporary contract staff to handle, screen, and analyze forensic evidence that may contain DNA, or to validate new DNA analysis technologies. Funds may also be used to hire consultants or contractors to assist laboratories with the installation of LIMS or expert systems, or with the implementation of DNA process-improvement measures.
10. Sending forensic DNA casework samples to public or private accredited forensic DNA laboratories for analyses8: Funds may be used to send samples to accredited fee-for-service laboratories to conduct DNA analyses. Funds may also be used to enter into agreements with accredited government-owned laboratories to conduct DNA analyses, perform data review, enter eligible forensic DNA profiles into CODIS and, where applicable, upload to NDIS.
    If an eligible applicant chooses to send samples to an external accredited forensic DNA laboratory, the applicant will be responsible for ensuring that applicable NDIS Data Acceptance Standards are met for all profiles uploaded to NDIS.
11. Administrative expenses: Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of a grant awarded under this program may be used for direct and indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management.

Expenses That Are Not Permitted

Federal funds awarded under this program may not be used for the following:

1. Salaries and benefits for existing staff (other than overtime as discussed above in Section F. Permissible Use of Funds).
2. Travel (other than authorized travel expenses associated with appropriate DNA training and visits to outsourcing laboratories as discussed above in Section F. Permissible Uses of Funds).
3. Construction.
4. Administrative expenses (direct or indirect) that exceed 3 percent of the Federal portion of the award.
5. Accreditation costs (Funding assistance for maintaining accreditation is available under the Paul Coverdell Grant Program).