OVC FY24 Expanding Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations | O OVC 2024 172171

Opportunity Information: Apply for O OVC 2024 172171

The OVC FY24 Expanding Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations opportunity is a discretionary federal funding program from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime. It is designed to expand and strengthen access to high-quality sexual assault forensic examinations, with a clear emphasis on victim-centered services, equity, and improved access to justice. The solicitation frames this work as part of DOJ's broader mission to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, enhance community safety, and build trust between communities and the justice system, especially in contexts where victims may face barriers to care, reporting, or follow-through.

The grant focuses on two main areas. First, it supports the development or expansion of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SANE/SAFE) programs, specifically encouraging applicants to use a coordinated community response approach. In practice, that means building or improving partnerships among key players involved in sexual assault response, such as hospitals and clinics, community-based victim service providers, sexual assault coalitions, law enforcement, prosecutors, forensic laboratories, and other local stakeholders. The intent is to ensure survivors can access timely, trauma-informed medical care and forensic evidence collection, while also improving coordination so survivors do not have to navigate fragmented systems on their own. Second, the program supports training and technical assistance (TTA), which generally includes activities that help jurisdictions and providers implement best practices, build workforce capacity, and improve consistency and quality in how forensic exams and related services are delivered.

Administratively, awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which typically means OVC anticipates a more hands-on federal role during the life of the project compared to a standard grant. The funding activity is categorized under Income Security and Social Services (CFDA 16.053). The opportunity number is O-OVC-2024-172171. The solicitation was created on June 5, 2024, and the original application closing date was July 8, 2024. OVC anticipated making about six awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which usually indicates the maximum was not specified in the summarized record and applicants would need to consult the full solicitation for specific budget guidance and allowable cost details.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, city or township governments, and other units of local government (such as towns, boroughs, parishes, and villages), as well as special district governments. Higher education institutions may apply, including public/state-controlled and private institutions. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, provided they are not institutions of higher education. The opportunity also lists "Others" as eligible, suggesting additional applicant types may qualify depending on the definitions and conditions in the full solicitation.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at improving survivor access to competent forensic examinations and strengthening the systems that surround those services. It prioritizes coordinated, community-based strategies and capacity-building through training and technical assistance, aligning the program with DOJ and OJP goals around civil rights, equity, and more effective, trusted justice and victim service responses.

• The Office for Victims of Crime in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVC FY24 Expanding Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.053.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for O OVC 2024 172171

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