OJJDP FY25 Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance for Child Abuse Prosecutors

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has released a funding opportunity designed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors handling child abuse cases. This grant, issued under the Victims of Child Abuse Act, supports a national training and technical assistance initiative aimed at improving the quality of criminal investigations and prosecutions in cases involving child abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, technology-facilitated exploitation, and child fatalities. The initiative targets local and state-level prosecutors, particularly those working in juvenile and adult courts, by equipping them with advanced skills, tools, and resources essential to pursuing justice for child victims. The awarded organization will develop and deliver training sessions across multiple formats, including in-person, online, cross-site, and conference-based presentations. A diverse range of topics will be covered, such as child interviewing techniques, investigative methods, interagency collaboration, and court evidence presentation strategies. Specialized training modules will also address complex abuse scenarios, including abusive head trauma, child torture, hot car deaths, and drowning cases. The applicant must present a comprehensive training portfolio and dissemination plan, both subject to approval by OJJDP. Beyond training, the selected recipient will provide direct technical assistance to prosecutors, both virtually and in-person. The grantee will also develop new publications and resources that respond to emerging legal challenges and case law. These materials may include factsheets, toolkits, and briefing papers. Performance will be measured through data collection on access and usage, as well as participant feedback and knowledge gains. The successful applicant must collaborate with other OJJDP-funded initiatives, especially those under the Victims of Child Abuse Act and Internet Crimes Against Children programs, to ensure coordinated service delivery and avoid duplication of efforts. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations—either with or without 501(c)(3) status—with a national scope and a strong connection to child abuse prosecutors. This includes membership organizations and service providers with a track record of providing training to prosecutors. Organizations with offshore accounts used to avoid federal taxes are ineligible. Although project partnerships are permitted, only one applicant may serve as the primary grantee, with others listed as subrecipients. Only one application per organization is allowed. No cost share or matching is required under this funding opportunity. Applications follow a two-step submission process. First, applicants must register and submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov by March 30, 2026. Second, they must submit the complete application via JustGrants by April 6, 2026. Key elements include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, timelines, MOUs for partners, resumes of key staff, and assurances related to federal compliance. A proposal abstract is also required and will be publicly posted if funded. The total award available is up to $2,600,000, with a single award anticipated. The performance period will begin on October 1, 2025, and run for 36 months. All awarded activities will be managed as a cooperative agreement, which allows OJJDP substantial involvement in project implementation. The agency will approve training topics and materials and require coordination with the National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC). Regular reporting is mandatory, including quarterly financials and semiannual performance data. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, alignment with goals, detailed design and implementation plans, and effective budgeting. Final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, with peer review scores considered but not determinative.

Align training and deliverables with OJJDP priorities: child protection, effective prosecution, interagency coordination. Emphasize attorney engagement and specialized case knowledge.