The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Addressing Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking at HSIs, HBCUs, and TCUs Initiative. This initiative is also referred to as the Campus Set Aside Initiative and is authorized under 34 U.S.C. § 20125. OVW administers this initiative using set-aside funding from the OVW Campus Program to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence on college campuses that serve historically underserved populations. Established in 1995, OVW supports community-coordinated responses to domestic and sexual violence and holds offenders accountable, particularly through grants to institutions of higher education.
The initiative specifically supports Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Eligible institutions must meet certain accreditation and authorization standards and be public or nonprofit organizations. The program's primary goal is to support comprehensive institutional strategies that address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Institutions are expected to develop prevention programming, enhance victim services, improve policies and protocols, and foster coordinated responses that involve campus and community partners.
The FY 2025 program will distribute approximately $12.5 million across an anticipated 25 awards, with each award valued up to $500,000 and covering a 48-month period. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Key activities supported by this initiative include prevention and education programming, personnel training, enhanced victim services, data system improvements, policy development, capital improvements related to safety, and enhanced coordination with law enforcement. Notably, at least 20% of each grant must be dedicated to developing or strengthening victim services, either on-campus or in collaboration with community-based organizations.
Applications are due in two parts: the SF-424 form must be submitted via Grants.gov by September 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, while the full application must be submitted through JustGrants by September 11, 2025, at 8:59 PM ET. An optional letter of intent is due by August 19, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by December 1, 2025. All applicants must include a Certification of Eligibility letter and a Certification of Statutory Minimum Requirements letter, and, if applicable, a Delivery of Legal Assistance Certification.
To be eligible, applicants must form a partnership with internal campus entities, including executive leadership, student affairs, Title IX personnel, security staff, housing authorities, and victim service providers. They must also support a full-time equivalent Project Director, submit a comprehensive proposal narrative and budget, and comply with all federal and statutory requirements, including confidentiality and civil rights protections. Required documents also include an Internal Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU), Letter of Nonsupplanting, and a Confidentiality Notice Form. Applications will be reviewed based on their adherence to the stated program objectives and statutory priorities.
For questions, applicants can contact OVW at ovw.campusinitiative@usdoj.gov or 202-307-6026. Additional technical support is available through Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and JustGrants. The full application package is available on the OVW website and Grants.gov.
