OVC FY25 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Compensation Formula Grant

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), through its Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and specifically the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), has released the FY25 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Compensation Formula Grant. This funding opportunity is established under statutory authority 34 U.S.C. § 20102 and aims to provide financial compensation to victims of crime across the United States and its territories. The grant program is designed to bolster state-run victim compensation initiatives that offer financial reimbursement to victims for crime-related expenses. The total funding amount allocated for this cycle is $178,983,000, and approximately 53 awards are anticipated. Funding amounts will be determined based on the VOCA formula, which allocates funds equal to 75% of each state’s prior victim compensation awards made two years before the current fiscal year, excluding amounts awarded for property damage. The primary purpose of this grant is to support state and territorial compensation programs that assist victims of criminal violence by reimbursing them for costs such as medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, funeral and burial costs, relocation, and dependent care. These services are critical in helping victims restore a sense of stability and safety following a traumatic event. The VOCA funding may not be used for activities that conflict with federal immigration law or civil rights requirements, including initiatives that unlawfully discriminate or favor groups based on race, gender, or other protected categories. Eligibility for this funding is limited to state governments, including the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This opportunity is available nationwide. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this grant. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The application process involves two main steps: first, submission of the SF-424 form via Grants.gov by August 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET; and second, the completion of the full application in JustGrants by August 20, 2025, at 8:59 p.m. ET. While there are no specific deliverables beyond compliance with post-award administrative and reporting requirements, applicants must be prepared to submit quarterly performance reports via the Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) and annual reports in JustGrants. Additional required documentation includes the Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire, current training certificates for both the Grant Award Administrator and Financial Manager, a copy of the state law governing victim compensation programs, and a statement outlining any use of administrative or training funds. Applicants experiencing technical difficulties during the submission process may request a waiver to submit after the deadline, provided they document their issues and notify the OJP Response Center within 24 hours of the missed deadline. The final award decisions will be announced by September 30, 2025, and recipients will be notified via system-generated emails from JustGrants. The anticipated start date for the period of performance is October 1, 2024, with a duration of 48 months. For assistance, applicants may contact the OJP Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or by calling 800-851-3420. Technical support is also available for SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants platforms, with contact information provided in the NOFO. A pre-recorded webinar is available on OVC’s Funding Webinars page to guide applicants through this process.

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