OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program | O OVW 2025 172287

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the OVW FY 2025 Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The program focuses on improving safety and services for people in rural communities who experience domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The purpose is to fund projects designed around rural realities and barriers, strengthening prevention, intervention, and accountability where resources may be limited and systems can be fragmented. The program aims to build stronger, more connected local systems that support survivors and improve investigations and prosecutions.

Why does the program focus specifically on rural communities?

Rural survivors often face distinct barriers such as long distances to services, limited shelter and counseling capacity, fewer specialized investigators and prosecutors, lack of transportation, reduced anonymity in small communities, and gaps in coordinated response. This program is intended to address those challenges directly.

What types of violence does this program address?

The program addresses domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in rural communities.

What kinds of projects or activities are commonly funded?

Funded activities commonly include improving investigations and prosecutions of these crimes, expanding victim-centered and trauma-informed advocacy, and increasing access to counseling, legal assistance, and other supportive services. The program also supports work that addresses sexual assault specifically, including services and community responses that can be difficult to sustain in rural areas due to limited specialized providers.

What does OVW mean by a focus on collaboration?

OVW expects applicants to build or strengthen cooperative efforts among law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other relevant partners. The goal is to reduce disconnected systems so survivors do not have to navigate multiple agencies without support or repeatedly retell their story.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include states and territories, federally recognized Indian Tribes, local governments (such as counties, cities, or townships), and nonprofit organizations (public or private), including Tribal nonprofit organizations. Eligibility also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

Can nonprofit organizations apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations (public or private), including Tribal nonprofit organizations, are eligible to apply as long as the proposed project aligns with the program purpose and addresses domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in rural communities through coordinated, survivor-focused approaches.

Can local governments apply (counties, cities, townships)?

Yes. Local governments such as counties, cities, or townships are listed as eligible applicants.

Are Tribes and Tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible. Tribal nonprofit organizations are also eligible, and Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are included in the eligibility list as well.

Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible applicants.

Are public housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the eligibility list.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-OVW-2025-172287.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 16.589.

What is the activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed within the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity area.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is July 8, 2025.

How many awards does OVW expect to make?

OVW anticipates making around 55 awards.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $950,000 per award.

What is the overall goal for rural communities funded under this program?

The overall goal is to help rural communities build stronger, more connected systems that support survivors, improve the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, and expand the availability of core victim services such as advocacy, counseling, and legal assistance.

Does the program support efforts focused on sexual assault in rural areas?

Yes. The program supports work that addresses sexual assault specifically, including services and community responses that are often harder to sustain in rural areas due to limited specialized providers.

What does it mean for a project to be designed around "rural realities"?

It means the project is intentionally designed to address rural barriers like long distances to services, limited shelter and counseling capacity, fewer specialized investigators and prosecutors, lack of transportation, reduced anonymity in small communities, and gaps in coordinated response.