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.Apply for BJA 2018 13541
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BJA FY 18 National Training and Technical Assistance: Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI)?
The Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is designed to strengthen how states handle capital (death penalty) litigation by funding national-level training and technical assistance (TTA) providers who can improve the quality and reliability of capital case work.
What problem is this initiative trying to address?
CCLI is intended to reduce avoidable mistakes in capital case proceedings and improve the overall quality of practice in high-stakes litigation. The initiative emphasizes stronger preparation, clearer practice expectations, and support that can help prevent procedural missteps and other errors that can lead to wrongful outcomes, reversals, or lengthy appeals.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BJA 2018 13541.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 16.746.
When was the opportunity released, and when was the original closing date?
The opportunity was released on May 1, 2018. The original closing date was June 18, 2018.
How many awards did BJA anticipate making?
BJA anticipated making two awards.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $250,000 per award.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
Based on the information provided, a cooperative agreement indicates a more collaborative relationship with BJA than a standard grant. It generally involves more active federal involvement in shaping or overseeing how the training and technical assistance work is carried out.
What are the main aims of the CCLI program?
The initiative is built around four core aims:
- Enhancing prosecutors' ability to represent the public effectively in state capital cases.
- Supporting the development and implementation of standards of practice and qualifications for state and local prosecutors who handle capital litigation.
- Minimizing the potential for error at the trial stage.
- Improving the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants in state capital cases.
Does the program focus only on prosecutors?
No. While the program includes goals related to improving prosecutors' capacity and qualifications, it also explicitly includes improving the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants in state capital cases. The initiative is described as being concerned with fairness and integrity for the process as a whole, and it expects work with attorneys on both sides, including prosecutors and defense counsel.
What kinds of activities are expected from funded organizations?
Recipients are expected to deliver national training and technical assistance services to support state systems and the attorneys litigating capital cases. Examples of expected activities 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.
Who are the intended direct users or beneficiaries of the training and technical assistance?
The intended direct users include state systems and the attorneys who litigate state capital cases, including both prosecutors and defense counsel.
Is this funding intended to pay for individual capital cases or direct case representation?
The program is described as emphasizing capacity building through professional development and technical support rather than direct case funding.
What subject areas or categories does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under education and training as well as law, justice, and legal services.
What types of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants 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
- Small businesses
Does eligibility require being a nonprofit or a university?
No. The eligibility list includes a wide range of organization types, including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, tribal governments, independent school districts, and both for-profit organizations and small businesses.
What does the broad eligibility suggest about the kind of applicant BJA was looking for?
The information provided 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.
Is the program focused on a particular level of government or geography?
The initiative is described as national-level training and technical assistance intended to strengthen state capital case systems and support attorneys working in state capital litigation.
What is the initiative trying to improve at the trial stage specifically?
It aims to minimize the potential for error at the trial stage, recognizing that procedural missteps, incomplete investigation, or improper litigation practices can contribute to wrongful outcomes, reversals, or extended appeals.
Does the initiative include work on standards and qualifications for capital litigators?
Yes. One of the stated aims is the development and implementation of standards of practice and qualifications for state and local prosecutors who handle capital litigation, supporting clearer expectations for competence, training, and experience.
What is meant by "technical assistance" in this context?
Based on the description provided, technical assistance can include consultation and guidance to help states and local jurisdictions strengthen capital case practices, adopt or refine standards, and use practical resources tailored to capital litigation.
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