Expanding Tribal Childrens Advocacy Centers

The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs and its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, has released the fiscal year 2025 notice of funding opportunity titled OJJDP FY25 Expanding Tribal Children’s Advocacy Centers. This program is authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act and will support expansion and enhancement of children’s advocacy centers serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The program is designed to improve investigative responses and treatment services for child abuse victims and their families by strengthening multidisciplinary and facility-based services. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to provide coordinated technical assistance, resource development, and training to support Tribal communities in developing and operating children’s advocacy centers. These centers help deliver victim-centered, trauma-informed care while working alongside Tribal governments and Native communities. In addition to developing new centers, the program also supports existing centers in enhancing services and aligning with federally recognized standards. The overarching aim is to reduce high rates of child victimization in Tribal communities and ensure comprehensive responses to child abuse cases. Funding available for this program totals $700,000, with one award anticipated and a maximum ceiling of $700,000. The award will be structured as a cooperative agreement with a performance period of 12 months, expected to begin October 1, 2025. Allowable costs must be reasonable and tied directly to the implementation of the project as outlined in the proposed budget. Costs related to unallowable activities, including violation of federal immigration law or certain legal services for undocumented individuals, will not be funded. Awardees will be required to produce deliverables including annual assessments, coordinated technical assistance delivery plans, and updated strategic and operational plans developed in partnership with VOCA-funded programs. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes federally recognized Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities other than small businesses, small businesses, and institutions of higher education. However, applicants must demonstrate specific experience supporting children’s advocacy centers and working directly with American Indian and Alaska Native communities and governments. Applicants may submit only one application, though entities may be included as subrecipients in multiple applications. Cost sharing or match is not required for this program. Applications will be submitted through a two-step process. The first step requires submission of the SF-424 form in Grants.gov by October 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The second step requires submission of the complete application in JustGrants by November 3, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The application package must include a proposal abstract, a detailed narrative addressing need, goals, objectives, design, and capabilities, as well as a budget detail form. Additional attachments such as resumes, organizational charts, position descriptions, and tribal authorizing resolutions may also be required. Applications must meet all minimum requirements to proceed to peer review. Evaluation of applications will include a peer review process assessing statement of the problem, goals and objectives, project design and implementation, applicant capacity, and budget. Peer review results will be supplemented by programmatic and financial review before a final award decision is made by the Assistant Attorney General. Awardees will be notified via JustGrants, and applicants not selected will receive notice and peer reviewer comments. Post-award requirements include quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and final close-out reports, along with compliance with all relevant federal laws and civil rights requirements. For assistance with this funding opportunity, the OJP Response Center is available at 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY), or by email at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Support is also available through the SAM.gov Help Desk, Grants.gov support, and the JustGrants Service Desk for issues related to registration, submission, or technical difficulties. Applicants encountering technical issues that prevent timely submission may request a waiver with supporting documentation.