The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), established in 1995, leads the nation’s efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The OVW administers grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and related legislation. The Abby Honold Program, officially known as the “Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking,” aims to enhance law enforcement responses to these crimes. However, for the fiscal year 2025, the program is focused exclusively on addressing responses to allegations of sexual assault.
The FY25 Abby Honold Program provides grants to eligible law enforcement agencies to train officers in trauma-informed and victim-centered investigative techniques. These methods are intended to prevent re-traumatization of victims and to foster effective communication between victims and law enforcement personnel. The overarching objective is to improve investigative outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of such training through assessments and data collection.
Eligible applicants include state, territorial, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies that investigate sexual assault. Applications must include a formal partnership with a national, regional, or local victim service provider, documented by a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Indian Tribal applicants may submit a Letter of Commitment (LOC) in place of an MOU, provided that a full MOU is delivered within the first year if funded. Only new applicants—those who have never received prior funding under this program—are eligible to apply.
Applicants must submit two components through Grants.gov and JustGrants. The SF-424 form is due via Grants.gov by July 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, and the complete application must be submitted via JustGrants by July 22, 2025, at 8:59 PM ET. A Letter of Intent is encouraged but not mandatory and should be submitted by June 19, 2025. The OVW expects to notify applicants of funding decisions by October 1, 2025.
Applications must include various elements, including a proposal narrative, budget worksheet and narrative, MOU or LOC, and several certifications and disclosures. The proposal narrative will be scored on purpose, planned activities, and who will implement the proposal. Budgets should not exceed $500,000, and the grant period is 36 months. Costs for curriculum development, prevention activities, direct victim services, and several other out-of-scope activities are unallowable. Grant recipients are expected to participate in training, data collection, and evaluation activities, and must budget accordingly.
Contact for the grant is available via phone at 202-307-6026 or by email at OVW.AbbyHonold@usdoj.gov. Resources and templates, including sample letters and forms, are provided on the OVW website to assist applicants.
