Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program

The Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program is administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. This initiative aims to support state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and allied professionals in Ohio by reimbursing expenses related to sexual assault kit (SAK) investigations. This includes testing, analysis, and other directly related costs. The grant is designed to enhance investigative capacity and support criminal justice agencies in handling sensitive cases involving sexual assault, including those that involve suspected drug-facilitated assaults and suspect kits. The primary objective of the program is to ensure comprehensive and timely processing of SAKs by reimbursing agencies for eligible expenses. These include lab testing fees (e.g., for drug-facilitated sexual assault analysis), shipping costs if the method preserves chain of custody, expert witness testimony tied to test results, and training to improve evidence handling. The grant can also support other investigation-related expenses under certain conditions, and applicants are encouraged to consult OCJS if they have questions about reimbursable costs. It is important to note that this program is not intended to cover expenses incurred by victims or survivors. To apply for funding, eligible agencies must submit an application through the new OCJS online grants management portal at https://ocjsgrants.dps.ohio.gov/s. Agencies must be actively registered and each user must have a unique login tied to their agency’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Guidance on obtaining a UEI can be found at Sam.gov or by consulting an agency’s fiscal office. Once logged into the portal, applicants can click on “Grants,” select the Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program, and proceed by clicking “Apply Now.” OCJS will review applications upon submission for approval. Eligible applicants include law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, crime laboratories, and allied professionals working directly with law enforcement on qualifying investigations. Qualifying offenses are those for which a sexual assault kit was collected, including but not limited to rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, trafficking in persons, and gross sexual imposition. Reimbursement may also be requested for kits collected from unnamed, anonymous, or suspect individuals, provided the investigation falls within the program’s scope. Agencies must retain all supporting documentation such as timesheets, lab receipts, mileage logs, and training invoices for audit and monitoring purposes. Applications can be submitted for reimbursement of cases occurring on or after July 1, 2025. Currently, there is no cap on the reimbursement amount per SAK request or on the number of applications submitted by an agency, though requests must reflect actual expenditures and are subject to funding availability and allowability standards. Agencies should maintain fiscal documentation for a minimum of three years following the end of the grant period for potential audits by federal or state entities. The program is not rolling but may recur, and interested parties should plan ahead based on the recurring nature of the grant cycle. For assistance, applicants can reach out to Shannon Fisher, Grants Planner, at 614-728-8732 or via email at slfisher@dps.ohio.gov. Additional support is available from Nancy Radcliffe, Social Science Research Specialist, at 614-725-6570 or nsradcliffe@dps.ohio.gov. Melissa Darby, Director of Grants Administration, is also listed as a contact at 614-728-8740 or mbdarby@dps.ohio.gov. More information and training materials for the grant system are available on the OCJS and Ohio Attorney General websites.