OVC FY25 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Preventing Trafficking of Girls." This federal grant opportunity seeks to develop or enhance prevention and early intervention services specifically targeting girls and young women up to age 25 who are at risk of, or victims of, sex and/or labor trafficking. OVC, a federal agency dedicated to supporting crime victims and enhancing public safety, aims to reduce trafficking victimization through community-based service models. The initiative supports replication and scaling of existing programs, enhancement of outreach and service delivery through cross-sector partnerships, and direct services that are trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate. The primary purpose of this funding is to implement effective strategies for prevention and early intervention. Successful applicants are expected to deliver comprehensive services which may include street outreach, support through the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, and collaborations with youth-serving organizations. Projects may also propose peer-to-peer learning initiatives and must include strategies to serve both sex and labor trafficking victims. Funded projects will also need to demonstrate engagement with trafficking survivors to inform service design and delivery. Applicants must comply with privacy and confidentiality laws, such as the VAWA Confidentiality Provision, and ensure that their personnel are properly trained to support trafficking survivors. With a total of $3,480,000 available, the OVC expects to make approximately seven awards, each up to $497,000 over a 36-month performance period beginning July 1, 2026. While the grant does not require cost sharing or matching funds, applicants must provide a budget that is reasonable and proportionate to the proposed activities. Funds may not be used for certain unallowable activities, including legal services for removable aliens, direct cash assistance to victims, vehicle purchases, or stipends meant to incentivize service participation. Nominal non-cash supports, such as transportation or meal vouchers, are allowed. Eligibility for this grant includes a broad range of entities such as state, county, city, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; public and Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Only one application per entity may be submitted, although entities may be included as subrecipients in multiple applications. Subrecipients must be clearly identified and may carry out specific project components. The application process involves a two-step submission. First, the SF-424 form must be submitted through Grants.gov by February 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Second, the full application, including proposal narrative and budget, must be submitted through JustGrants by March 3, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. ET. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin their SAM.gov registration or renewal process well in advance, ideally by February 9, 2026, to ensure timely access to the JustGrants portal. Applications will be evaluated based on five criteria: the statement of the problem (10%), project goals and objectives (30%), project design and implementation (30%), capabilities and competencies (20%), and budget (10%). In addition to peer review, the program office will consider geographic diversity, alignment with DOJ priorities, past performance, and risk assessments. OJP may issue continuation funding based on performance and available appropriations. Technical assistance resources, pre-application webinars, and application guides are also available to support applicants through the submission process.

Emphasize trauma-informed design; Ensure VAWA-compliant confidentiality policies; Incorporate survivor input into program design; Align with DOJ priorities for public safety and victim services.