BJA FY 18 National Training and Technical Assistance: Capital Case Litigation Initiative | BJA 2018 13541

Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2018 13541

The BJA FY 18 National Training and Technical Assistance: Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), designed to strengthen how states handle capital (death penalty) litigation. The program focuses on improving the overall quality and reliability of capital case work by supporting national-level training and technical assistance providers. These providers are expected to work directly with state systems and with the attorneys who litigate these cases, including both prosecutors and defense counsel, with the goal of improving practice and reducing avoidable mistakes in high-stakes proceedings.

At its core, the CCLI is built around four main aims. First, it seeks to enhance prosecutors ability to represent the public effectively in state capital cases, recognizing that these cases involve complex legal and factual issues and require specialized preparation and judgment. Second, it emphasizes the development and implementation of standards of practice and qualifications for state and local prosecutors who handle capital litigation, meaning the initiative supports clearer expectations for competence, training, and experience for attorneys in these roles. Third, the program aims to minimize the potential for error at the trial stage, reflecting how procedural missteps, incomplete investigation, or improper litigation practices can lead to wrongful outcomes, reversals, or lengthy appeals that undermine confidence in the justice system. Fourth, it explicitly includes improving the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants in state capital cases, indicating that the initiative is not limited to one side of the courtroom and is concerned with the fairness and integrity of the process as a whole.

BJA plans to accomplish these goals by funding organizations that can deliver national training and technical assistance services. In practice, that means recipients are expected to provide structured training, guidance, and support that states and local jurisdictions can use to strengthen their capital case practices. This can include developing curricula, delivering in-person or remote trainings, providing expert consultation, helping jurisdictions adopt or refine standards, and offering practical resources tailored to capital case litigation. Because the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, the relationship with BJA is typically more collaborative than a standard grant, with more active federal involvement in shaping or overseeing how the training and technical assistance work is carried out.

The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BJA 2018 13541) was released on May 1, 2018, with an original closing date of June 18, 2018. BJA anticipated making two awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per award. The program falls under the CFDA number 16.746 and is categorized under education and training as well as law, justice, and legal services, reflecting its emphasis on capacity building through professional development and technical support rather than direct case funding.

Eligible applicants were broad and included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. This wide eligibility suggests BJA was looking for applicants with demonstrated expertise and national reach in legal training, standards development, and technical assistance, regardless of organizational type, as long as they could credibly support states and practitioners working in capital litigation.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the education, employment, labor and training, law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 18 National Training and Technical Assistance: Capital Case Litigation Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.746.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 01, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 18, 2018. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for BJA 2018 13541

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