OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice established in 1995, is administering the Fiscal Year 2025 Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program. This grant opportunity is authorized under 34 U.S.C. § 10452 and stems from the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The program aims to support Indian Tribal governments and their designees in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking within Tribal communities. The FY25 program offers two types of application pathways. The first, a non-competitive continuation award, is available to existing grantees with an open award as of June 26, 2025, provided they did not receive an FY 2024 award or a 36-month award in FY 2023. The second, the Strengthening Tribal Advocacy Responses Track (START), is intended for Tribal governments or their designees who have never or not recently received funding under this program. START applicants will receive enhanced support, training, and technical assistance aimed at building capacity. Both tracks provide funding between $400,000 and $1,000,000 for a 36-month period. Funding must be used to address one or more statutory purpose areas, including developing governmental strategies to enhance victim safety, building tribal justice systems, providing victim services, housing, legal assistance, youth-focused services, and initiatives addressing missing or murdered Indigenous persons. Special consideration will be given to projects that address human trafficking or that serve rural and remote areas. Grant funds must supplement and not supplant other resources, and unallowable costs include lobbying, real estate purchases, construction, certain forms of community engagement, and activities that undermine victim safety. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribal Governments, their authorized designees, and Tribal consortia. A Tribal Designee or Consortium must submit a resolution or legal documentation demonstrating authorization to apply on behalf of the Tribe(s). All applicants must collaborate with a “qualified partner” such as a nonprofit Indian victim services program or advisory committee including survivors. Current grantees applying for continuation funding must not have more than 50% of prior awards unobligated as of March 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted in two steps: first through Grants.gov by June 24, 2025 (SF-424 form), and then via JustGrants by June 26, 2025. Required components include a proposal narrative (max 20 pages), budget narrative, confidentiality acknowledgment form, summary data sheet, and certifications related to out-of-scope activities. Optional documents include indirect cost rate agreements and executive compensation disclosures. Evaluation criteria are based on the proposal’s purpose, implementation plan, personnel qualifications, and budget clarity. Continuation applications undergo programmatic review, while START applications also undergo peer review. Award notices are expected by September 30, 2025, through JustGrants. Funded entities must adhere to reporting requirements, including semi-annual performance reports and quarterly financial reports. Contact for this opportunity is OVW.TribalGovernment@usdoj.gov, phone 202-307-6026.