OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Violence Against Women Tribal Special U.S. Attorney Initiative

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), is administering the Fiscal Year 2025 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Initiative. This invitation-only grant program is designed to strengthen Tribal and federal partnerships in prosecuting crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking occurring in Indian Country. OVW is charged with implementing programs under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation, providing national leadership on addressing these crimes while supporting coordinated community responses that prioritize victim safety and offender accountability. The program’s primary purpose is to fund Tribal prosecutors cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs), who will work directly with their partner U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs). These SAUSAs will handle federal and Tribal caseloads related to VAWA crimes and strengthen coordination among Tribal, state, and federal law enforcement. The initiative also aims to build consistent working relationships between federal prosecutors and Tribal communities while enhancing the quality of investigations and prosecutions through training, technical assistance, and best practices. Funding may be used for the salary and fringe benefits of the designated Tribal SAUSA, as well as training, travel, and necessary resources to fulfill prosecutorial duties. Funds may only support prosecutions in Tribal or federal court directly tied to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. Prohibited uses include activities such as general research projects, lobbying, fundraising, real property acquisition, or prosecutions unrelated to VAWA crimes such as drug offenses. The program specifically requires applicants to maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Tribe and the partnering USAO, finalized within 60 days of award notification, to formalize roles and responsibilities. Eligibility for this opportunity is strictly limited to invited Tribes. For FY 2025, only three Tribes are eligible: the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Applications from other entities will not be considered. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Applicants are disqualified if they fail to meet required deadlines, include unallowable costs, have unresolved past performance issues, or do not meet registration requirements with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Applications must include several required documents: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), a project abstract, project narrative, summary data sheet, budget and budget narrative, confidentiality notice form, certification regarding out-of-scope activities, and other federal assurances. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their projects will address program priorities, including combating human trafficking linked to transnational crime and improving victim services and law enforcement in rural or under-resourced Tribal communities. A detailed budget must be submitted through JustGrants, with funds set aside for required technical assistance and training. The application process includes two major deadlines: September 9, 2025, for submission of the SF-424 via Grants.gov, and September 11, 2025, for full application submission in JustGrants. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov by August 29, 2025, to avoid delays. Anticipated award notification is set for October 1, 2025, with a performance period of up to 60 months. The total program funding available is estimated at $3,000,000, with three anticipated awards of up to $1,000,000 each. For assistance, applicants may contact OVW by phone at 202-307-6026 or email at OVW.TribalSAUSA@usdoj.gov. Technical support for SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants is available through their respective help desks. Applicants must ensure all submissions comply with formatting and technical requirements, including page limits, font size, and required attachments, to avoid rejection. Successful recipients will be expected to comply with reporting requirements, including semi-annual performance reports and quarterly financial reports submitted electronically.