OVW FY 2019 Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program | OVW 2019 15825

Opportunity Information: Apply for OVW 2019 15825

The OVW FY 2019 Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), designed to strengthen how rural communities prevent and respond to interpersonal violence. The program is rooted in the reality that victims in rural areas often face obstacles that are less common in urban settings, and those obstacles can make it harder both to seek help and to hold offenders accountable. OVW is looking to fund projects that directly address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in rural jurisdictions, with an emphasis on improving victim safety, access to services, and the community and criminal justice response.

A central focus of the opportunity is the unique set of barriers that can trap victims in violent situations in rural communities. Geographic isolation and long distances can make it difficult to reach shelters, counseling, medical care, advocacy services, or law enforcement. Transportation can be limited or nonexistent, and victims may have to travel far for court hearings, forensic exams, or basic support. Rural economies and employment patterns can also intensify dependence on an abusive partner, while tight-knit social networks can create strong cultural and social pressures to stay silent, avoid reporting, or handle abuse privately. The opportunity recognizes that limited service infrastructure in many rural jurisdictions means victims may have few confidential, specialized options for help, which can increase risk and reduce the likelihood of seeking assistance.

The program also addresses the operational challenges rural criminal justice systems face when investigating and prosecuting these crimes. Sparse staffing, large coverage areas, limited specialized training, and the lack of nearby partner agencies can slow response times, complicate evidence collection, and weaken coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service providers. OVW highlights that these problems are compounded by socio-cultural, economic, and geographic barriers that can make it difficult for service providers to identify victims, conduct outreach, and offer consistent support. In practical terms, the funding is intended to help communities build or strengthen coordinated approaches that reduce these gaps, increase accountability, and make it more realistic for victims to safely report and participate in the justice process.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). This range reflects the program’s expectation that effective rural responses often require collaboration across local government, tribal entities, nonprofits, and sometimes campus or community-based institutions that can provide direct services, training, outreach, and system coordination.

Key grant details show the program’s scale and competitiveness. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized under housing, humanities/cultural affairs (as applicable), and law/justice/legal services, with CFDA number 16.589. The award ceiling is $750,000 per award, and OVW anticipated making about 50 awards. The opportunity was created on December 18, 2018, with an original closing date of February 14, 2019. Overall, the grant is positioned to support substantial projects that can meaningfully improve rural capacity to prevent violence, expand access to victim-centered services, and strengthen the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

• The Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in the housing, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVW FY 2019 Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.589.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 14, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 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.

Apply for OVW 2019 15825

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