OVC FY25 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is offering a grant opportunity titled “Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking.” This funding opportunity is designed to support state and Tribal governments in improving systemic responses to human trafficking affecting children and youth. With a total program funding pool of $4.8 million and individual awards up to $1.6 million, this program seeks to promote strategic, jurisdiction-wide planning and coordination to better identify and serve youth victims of both sex and labor trafficking, while also strengthening investigative and prosecutorial efforts. The program is structured into two phases. Phase 1 focuses on developing or expanding a comprehensive statewide or Tribal strategic plan. This plan must be grounded in collaboration across systems—such as child welfare, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and community-based services—to ensure that responses to trafficking are victim-centered, trauma-informed, and coordinated. Phase 2 of the program centers on implementing and refining the strategies laid out in the strategic plan, with an emphasis on service delivery improvement, protocol development, and building multidisciplinary partnerships. Applicants are encouraged to engage survivors of human trafficking throughout their project design and implementation. Applicants must be state governments or federally recognized Native American Tribal governments. Only one application per applicant is allowed, though an entity may be included as a subrecipient in multiple applications. Applicants that already receive OVC funding under a similar program must demonstrate how their new project will differ or expand in scope, geography, or services. This grant includes a cost sharing/match requirement, with applicants required to cover 25% of total project costs through either cash or in-kind contributions. This ensures a meaningful local or jurisdictional commitment to the success of the program. Key unallowable costs include services to undocumented immigrants not otherwise permitted by law, any legal services not compliant with DOJ rules, primary prevention activities, stipends to encourage service participation, and cash assistance to victims. Additionally, programs promoting or supporting the legalization of prostitution are expressly disallowed. The proposed use of funds must directly support service provision, training, protocol development, and other activities intended to improve outcomes for victims. Funds cannot be used for holding housing beds open, purchasing vehicles, or violating federal civil rights laws. Applications must be submitted through a two-step process. First, the SF-424 must be submitted via Grants.gov by March 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Then, the full application must be submitted through JustGrants by March 18, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget detail, letters of intent or MOUs with project partners, a logic model, timeline, and key personnel resumes. The application must outline deliverables such as a written strategic plan, documentation of collaboration, and performance reports. All applicants must register or maintain registration in SAM.gov. Applications will be reviewed on criteria including project design, goals and objectives, implementation feasibility, partnerships, and budget clarity. Preference may be given to proposals supporting public safety, law enforcement, or protecting American children and trafficking victims. Awards are expected to begin on July 1, 2026, with a performance period of 48 months. While not explicitly described as annual, the structure and language imply that similar opportunities may recur in future fiscal years. All selected grantees must participate in OVC training and comply with federal regulations, including civil rights, privacy, and financial controls.

Ensure proposals clearly distinguish from current projects if already funded; include robust partnerships and survivor input; align with DOJ priority areas.