OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Training and Technical Assistance Initiative

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, is accepting applications for its Fiscal Year 2025 Training and Technical Assistance Initiative. This initiative supports the delivery of training and technical assistance (TTA) to current and potential recipients of OVW funding. OVW was established in 1995 and plays a central role in enforcing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The office promotes comprehensive community responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and funds projects that focus on improving both victim services and offender accountability. This TTA Initiative helps bolster the ability of professionals in the civil and criminal justice systems and victim service organizations to address these four major types of gender-based violence. The TTA Initiative includes 50 distinct purpose areas that span Competitive Targeted, Competitive Comprehensive, Non-Competitive Comprehensive, and Innovation-focused technical assistance projects. These purpose areas are designed to address targeted knowledge gaps, support comprehensive long-term responses, or test innovative solutions. Topics covered range from training judges on elder abuse, campus-based advocacy and prevention, and trauma-informed law enforcement responses to working with Tribal governments on restorative justice models. Each purpose area has a designated budget cap and project duration, with awards ranging from $150,000 to $1,500,000 and project periods lasting from 9 to 36 months. Eligible applicants include national, Tribal, statewide, and other nonprofit organizations with the capacity to provide TTA on a national scale. In limited cases, institutions of higher education, governmental agencies, and local nonprofits may apply, provided they demonstrate experience in delivering national-scale TTA. Faith-based organizations meeting the same eligibility requirements are also eligible. Each applicant may only submit one application per purpose area and must clearly identify the purpose area and differentiate project titles if applying for more than one. Applicants are encouraged, though not required, to submit a Letter of Intent by August 20, 2025, to OVW.TechAssistance@usdoj.gov. Full applications require submission of Standard Form SF-424 through Grants.gov by September 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, followed by a complete application in JustGrants by September 11, 2025, at 8:59 PM ET. The funding opportunity opened on July 21, 2025, and award decisions are expected by December 31, 2025. Applications must include a proposal narrative, budget documentation, Memoranda of Understanding with project partners, and several additional certifications and disclosures as outlined in the NOFO. The initiative uses cooperative agreements as the award instrument, meaning OVW will be actively involved in the planning and implementation of funded projects. OVW will participate in meetings, review deliverables, and may request modifications to project activities. Projects must include a planning period and align with strict content and format requirements. OVW prohibits the use of funds for certain activities, including promoting discriminatory programs, conducting research (as defined by federal regulation), and direct victim services. Applications that include unallowable activities or violate federal restrictions may be removed from consideration. Applicants are evaluated through a peer review and programmatic review process. Reviewers assess proposals based on the quality and responsiveness of narrative components, adherence to program scope, and past performance if the applicant has received OVW funding previously. Scoring is based on proposal purpose, activity plans, organizational capacity, budget clarity, and supporting documentation. OVW may adjust award amounts and project scopes as needed, and it retains the right to fund a proposal under different criteria or future funding rounds if warranted. Technical assistance is available for applicants through Grants.gov, JustGrants, and OVW directly.

Submit LOI early, follow formatting rules strictly, avoid unallowable costs, use suggested templates, include all attachments.