Standards Development Organization Grants for Forensic Science Standards Program (SDO GFSS)

SDO GFSS
CFDA 11.089 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$863K FY2026
$863K
FY24
$863K
FY25
$863K
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

To provide financial assistance to support the increase of forensic science standards available in one or more of the forensic science disciplines supported by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science (e.g., Biology, Chemistry: Seized Drugs & Toxicology, Chemistry: Trace Evidence, Digital/Multimedia, Medicine, Physics/Pattern Interpretation, or Scene Examination).

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

Nongovernmental standards development organizations (including associations or technical societies), located in the United States or its territories, that plan, develop, establish, or coordinate voluntary consensus standards using a voluntary consensus standards development process and operate in conformity with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Essential Requirements for American National Standards.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Award process based on published selection criteria listed in the Notices of Funding Opportunities posted at www.grants.gov.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 120 to 180 days
Program details & compliance

Description

NIST’s Forensic Science Standards Program is accelerating the development and adoption of high-quality, technically sound forensic science standards. The program funds established a competitive grant program for nongovernmental standards development organizations (SDOs) to develop, approve, disseminate, maintain, and review forensic science voluntary consensus standards and best practices that shall be made available to the public and forensic science service providers free of charge.

Mission Categories

Primary: Research and Development

Other categories:
Social SciencesBiologyChemistryLaw Enforcement - Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funds awarded cannot necessarily pay for all the costs that the recipient might incur in the course of carrying out an award. Generally, costs that are allowable include salaries, equipment, supplies, contractual, and other, as long as these are "necessary and reasonable" specifically for the purpose of the award. Allowable costs are determined by reference to the OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 C.F.R. part 200, adopted by the Department of Commerce at 2 C.F.R. § 1327.101. All cost reimbursement subawards are subject to those federal cost principles applicable to the particular type of organization concerned. A recipient may request approval of pre-award costs; however, all costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency makes the Federal award are at the recipient's risk.

Restrictions

Construction activities are not an allowable cost under this program. In addition, a recipient or a subrecipient may not charge profits, fees, or other increments above cost to an award issued pursuant to this program. Applications for product development and/or commercialization not in accordance with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 18952 are not considered responsive to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Random, Ad-hoc
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Melissa Taylor
301-975-6363
100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-05-22. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:22:56.