Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ920R000017

The Judicial Education grant opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is built around a public safety problem that remains stubbornly large: motor vehicle crashes that involve alcohol and drugs. NHTSA highlights that tens of thousands of people die each year in traffic crashes, with alcohol-impaired driving contributing to a sizable share of fatalities (including crashes involving drivers at or above a .08 BAC). The agency also points to evidence that drug-impaired driving is widespread, citing national roadside survey results showing a notable portion of drivers testing positive for potentially impairing drugs. Because impaired-driving cases move through multiple parts of the justice system from arrest through adjudication, NHTSA frames the judiciary as a critical leverage point for changing outcomes, reducing repeat offenses, and reinforcing effective deterrence.

The core purpose of the cooperative agreement is to expand judicial knowledge and capacity to handle impaired-driving cases, provide technical assistance to judges who hear these matters, and measure whether the education and assistance are actually effective. NHTSA emphasizes that impaired-driving cases often involve complicated procedural issues and fast-evolving scientific evidence, especially in toxicology and drug impairment. The opportunity is designed to support training that helps judges better understand both the legal and scientific dimensions of these cases, as well as the behavioral patterns that contribute to impaired driving and recidivism. A central theme is that traditional sanctions like fines and incarceration, while important, have not reliably prevented repeat offending by themselves, so judges need strong, evidence-informed tools and alternatives to tailor sentences and supervision in ways that can reduce future risk.

The funded work is expected to include identifying the judiciary's educational needs related to alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, developing new courses and updating existing ones, and then evaluating each course so the content can be improved based on results. NHTSA is specifically looking for creative approaches that do not just deliver training but also assess and document impact. The training and technical assistance topics called out in the announcement include evidence-based court, sentencing, and supervision practices; toxicology and the handling of scientific evidence; drug-impaired driving detection and screening methods; judicial understanding and use of ignition interlock technologies; and the use and operation of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) courts within state and local systems. NHTSA also anticipates that the program will produce education suitable for both lawyer and non-lawyer judges, recognizing that judicial backgrounds and day-to-day caseloads vary widely across jurisdictions.

Another major emphasis is tailoring outreach to specific audiences that may have distinct needs or operational constraints. In addition to serving the broader judiciary that adjudicates impaired-driving cases, the opportunity calls for focused technical assistance and training development for non-lawyer judges who handle traffic matters, as well as special judicial audiences such as military courts and tribal courts. This reflects NHTSA's view that peer-to-peer training and targeted education are among the most effective ways to move proven and promising practices into real courtrooms, particularly in settings where resources, legal structures, or community contexts differ from typical state court environments.

Administratively, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ920R000017) was posted on April 22, 2020, with an original closing date of May 22, 2020. It is listed under CFDA 20.614 and uses a cooperative agreement instrument, meaning NHTSA expects to have substantial involvement during the period of performance rather than simply providing funds with minimal engagement. The announcement indicates one expected award, with an award ceiling of $1,273,879. Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text, signaling that applicants likely include specialized organizations capable of delivering national-level judicial education, technical assistance, curriculum development, and evaluation in close coordination with the agency.

  • The Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Judicial Education" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.614.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 2020. (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 $1,273,879.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for 693JJ920R000017

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Judicial Education Grant (NHTSA) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Judicial Education grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to strengthen judicial education and technical assistance related to alcohol- and drug-impaired driving cases.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through NHTSA.

What problem is the program trying to address?

The program focuses on motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol and drugs. NHTSA emphasizes that tens of thousands of people die each year in traffic crashes, with alcohol-impaired driving contributing to a significant share of fatalities (including crashes involving drivers at or above a .08 BAC). NHTSA also cites evidence that drug-impaired driving is widespread, including national roadside survey findings showing a notable portion of drivers testing positive for potentially impairing drugs.

Why does NHTSA focus on the judiciary for impaired-driving efforts?

NHTSA describes impaired-driving cases as moving through multiple parts of the justice system from arrest through adjudication. Because judges influence case outcomes, sentencing, supervision, and court practices, NHTSA frames the judiciary as a critical leverage point for reducing repeat offenses and strengthening deterrence.

What is the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The core purpose is to expand judicial knowledge and capacity to handle impaired-driving cases, provide technical assistance to judges who hear these matters, and measure whether the education and assistance are effective.

Why does the announcement emphasize both legal and scientific training?

NHTSA notes that impaired-driving cases can involve complicated procedural issues and fast-evolving scientific evidence, particularly around toxicology and drug impairment. The training is intended to help judges understand both the legal issues and the scientific dimensions of evidence presented in these cases.

What kinds of activities are expected under this award?

The funded work is expected to include identifying the judiciary's educational needs related to alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, developing new courses and updating existing ones, and evaluating each course so the content can be improved based on results.

Is evaluation required, or is the focus only on training delivery?

Evaluation is a central part of the design. NHTSA specifically calls for creative approaches that not only deliver training but also assess and document impact, with course-by-course evaluation to support improvement.

What topics may be covered in the training and technical assistance?

The announcement highlights several topic areas, including:

  • Evidence-based court, sentencing, and supervision practices
  • Toxicology and the handling of scientific evidence
  • Drug-impaired driving detection and screening methods
  • Judicial understanding and use of ignition interlock technologies
  • The use and operation of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) courts within state and local systems

Does the opportunity address repeat offending and recidivism?

Yes. NHTSA emphasizes that traditional sanctions such as fines and incarceration, while important, have not consistently prevented repeat offending on their own. The opportunity is intended to strengthen judges' ability to use evidence-informed tools and alternatives to tailor sentencing and supervision to reduce future risk.

Who is the intended audience for the education supported by this award?

The program is aimed at the judiciary that adjudicates impaired-driving cases, and it is expected to produce education suitable for both lawyer and non-lawyer judges. NHTSA notes that judicial backgrounds and day-to-day caseloads vary widely across jurisdictions.

Are non-lawyer judges specifically included in the program design?

Yes. The opportunity calls for focused technical assistance and training development for non-lawyer judges who handle traffic matters.

Are there special judicial audiences mentioned for targeted outreach?

Yes. The announcement specifically mentions tailoring education and technical assistance for special judicial audiences such as military courts and tribal courts, reflecting different operational constraints, legal structures, and community contexts.

What training approach does NHTSA suggest may be most effective?

NHTSA indicates that peer-to-peer training and targeted education are among the most effective ways to move proven and promising practices into real courtrooms, especially in environments where resources or structures differ from typical state court settings.

What type of funding instrument is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement. That means NHTSA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance, rather than providing funds with minimal federal engagement.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 693JJ920R000017.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 20.614.

How many awards does NHTSA expect to make?

The announcement indicates one expected award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,273,879.

When was the opportunity posted and when was it originally due?

It was posted on April 22, 2020, and the original closing date was May 22, 2020.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text. The description suggests applicants likely include specialized organizations capable of delivering national-level judicial education, technical assistance, curriculum development, and evaluation in close coordination with NHTSA.

What kinds of organizational capabilities does the announcement imply are important?

Based on the stated goals and expected activities, the announcement implies the applicant should be able to develop and update judicial courses, deliver technical assistance, support specialized judicial audiences (including non-lawyer judges, military courts, and tribal courts), and perform evaluation that documents training impact.

Does the opportunity focus only on alcohol-impaired driving?

No. The opportunity addresses both alcohol-impaired driving and drug-impaired driving, including the scientific and procedural issues associated with each.

Does the program relate to DWI courts?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes the use and operation of DWI courts within state and local systems as one of the training and technical assistance topics.

Does the announcement mention ignition interlock technologies?

Yes. Judicial understanding and use of ignition interlock technologies is called out as a topic area.

What does NHTSA mean by focusing on evidence-based practices in court settings?

The announcement highlights evidence-based court, sentencing, and supervision practices as a training topic, reflecting a focus on approaches that are supported by evidence and can be applied in court processes and supervision decisions for impaired-driving cases.

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