OVC FY 25 Services for Victims of Crime

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), operating under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), has released the fiscal year 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled “OVC FY25 Services for Victims of Crime.” This funding opportunity is designed to develop, expand, and strengthen direct service programs for crime victims across the United States and its territories. The grant is divided into three competitive categories that address the unique needs of specific victim groups: children and youth, older adults experiencing elder abuse or fraud, and other crime victims not served by the first two categories. The initiative aligns with OJP’s broader mission of upholding justice, ensuring public safety, and safeguarding civil rights. The total funding available under this opportunity is approximately $15.9 million, with each award anticipated to be up to $500,000. The period of performance is expected to begin on October 1, 2025, and last for 36 months. Up to 45 total awards will be distributed, with approximately 15 anticipated awards in each of the three categories. Allowable costs include direct services such as emergency assistance, housing and shelter, victim advocacy, transportation, legal aid, medical and dental care, case management, and employment services. Human trafficking services are explicitly excluded and must be pursued under separate NOFOs designated for that purpose. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities: state, local, and tribal governments; educational institutions; public housing organizations; and both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applicants may only submit one application and must choose a single category to apply under. Subrecipients may be proposed across multiple applications. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. To be eligible, entities must be able to deliver victim-centered services aligned with the specific objectives of their selected category. Applications must be submitted in two steps. First, the SF-424 form must be submitted via Grants.gov by August 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Second, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by August 20, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. ET. First-time applicants should register immediately with SAM.gov and begin preparations for submission to avoid disqualification due to technical issues. A pre-application video is available via the OVC’s Funding Webinars page, and further questions may be directed to askovc@ncjrs.gov using the subject line referencing the FY25 NOFO. Evaluation of applications includes a basic minimum review followed by a merit-based peer review assessing statement of need, project design and goals, applicant capabilities, and budget. OJP will also conduct a financial and risk assessment before making final award decisions. Applicants are expected to collect and report performance data biannually using the Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) and submit financial and performance reports quarterly or semi-annually as specified. For assistance, applicants may contact OVC at OVCServicesNOFO@usdoj.gov or by phone at 833-872-5175. Technical issues related to submission platforms like Grants.gov or JustGrants must be reported immediately and supported with tracking documentation if seeking a waiver for late submission. The NOFO number for this opportunity is O-OVC-2025-172427, and its assistance listing number is 16.582.

Submit the SF-424 at least 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. Submit the full application at least 48 hours before the JustGrants deadline.