The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, has released the Fiscal Year 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program. OVW, established in 1995 under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), provides leadership on matters related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This program operates as a statutory set-aside under the OVW STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program and the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP). Its primary purpose is to support state and territory coalitions in coordinating victim services and promoting system-wide responses that increase victim safety and hold offenders accountable.
The primary objectives of this funding opportunity are to strengthen coalitions' roles in coordinating services for victims and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. Eligible coalitions include those focused on domestic violence, sexual assault, or both (dual coalitions), and they must be included on the Department of Health and Human Services list of recognized coalitions as of April 4, 2025. Eligible applicants must provide specific programming and budget details aligned with authorized purpose areas. These include providing training and technical assistance, enhancing service standards, and promoting coalition-building at local and state levels. For sexual assault coalitions, additional activities may include public education, judicial coordination, and child protection engagement.
The total funding amount available for FY25 is $20,385,400, with an anticipated 87 awards, each up to $364,025. The award period is 12 months beginning October 1, 2025. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applicants must use the STOP set-aside funds for domestic violence or sexual assault-focused activities and the SASP set-aside strictly for sexual assault-related purposes. Unallowable activities include lobbying, fundraising, construction, and any activities that undermine victim safety or promote ideologies contrary to Executive Orders 14168 and 14173.
The application process involves submitting an SF-424 form by June 23, 2025, via Grants.gov, followed by the full application in JustGrants by June 25, 2025. Required materials include a proposal abstract, summary data sheet, proposal narrative, detailed budget and narrative, and several signed certification documents. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process early and ensure all system registrations (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, JustGrants) are current.
Review of applications will be programmatic rather than competitive or peer-based, and OVW will contact applicants for missing documents if necessary. Applicants designated as high-risk may be subject to special conditions or disqualification. The grant contact for this opportunity is available at OVW.StateCoalitions@usdoj.gov or 202-307-6026.
