OVW Fiscal Year 2025 STOP Formula Grant Program | O OVW 2025 172376

FAQs: OVW FY 2025 STOP Formula Grant Program (CFDA 16.588)

What is the OVW FY 2025 STOP Formula Grant Program?

The OVW Fiscal Year 2025 STOP Formula Grant Program (CFDA 16.588) is a mandatory federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It is designed to help communities build and strengthen coordinated, effective responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

What does "STOP" stand for?

STOP stands for Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors. The name reflects the program's focus on improving both victim services and the criminal justice and community systems that respond to these crimes.

Is this a competitive grant or a formula grant?

This program is structured as a formula grant. That means funds are allocated to states and territories based on statutory or regulatory criteria, rather than through a fully open competitive process, with the intent of providing broad, consistent support nationwide.

Who administers this grant program?

The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

What types of crimes and harms does this program address?

The program is intended to strengthen responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

What is the main purpose of STOP funding?

STOP funding is meant to support local implementation and capacity-building that improves investigations and prosecutions, strengthens victim-centered services, improves training and policies for professionals handling these cases, and enhances coordination among agencies so survivors receive safer, more consistent support and perpetrators are held accountable.

What kinds of activities can STOP funds support?

Based on the opportunity description, funds can support victim services, training and policy improvements for professionals (including law enforcement and prosecutors), and initiatives that strengthen coordinated community and criminal justice responses to these crimes.

Does the program support coordination among agencies?

Yes. A central emphasis of the program is improving coordination among agencies so responses are more consistent, survivor-centered, and effective.

Does this funding reach Indian tribal governments and Alaska Native villages?

Yes. The description notes that funding is meant to support efforts that reach Indian tribal governments and Alaska Native villages as part of broader community response systems.

Who is eligible to apply directly to OVW for this opportunity?

Eligibility is limited to state-level applicants and certain U.S. territories: any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Can local governments, nonprofits, universities, or other organizations apply directly to OVW for STOP formula funds?

No. In practice, local governments, nonprofits, universities, and most other entities do not apply directly to OVW for this funding stream. They typically pursue STOP-funded subawards administered by their state or territorial STOP administering agency.

Is there a restriction on which office can submit the application for a state or territory?

Yes. Only the designated state office, as established under 28 C.F.R. 90.11, is permitted to apply on behalf of its jurisdiction.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed as a grant funding instrument.

What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-OVW-2025-172376.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 15, 2025.

What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is June 24, 2025.

How many awards does OVW anticipate making?

OVW anticipates making 56 awards, which aligns with the number of eligible state and territorial jurisdictions that typically receive STOP formula allocations.

What is the award ceiling listed for this announcement?

The posted award ceiling is $16,188,360, which indicates the maximum expected award amount for a single recipient under this announcement. Actual amounts vary by jurisdiction according to the formula and applicable requirements.

Why do award amounts vary by jurisdiction?

Because this is a formula grant program, amounts vary based on the formula allocation and applicable requirements for each eligible state or territory.

What is the overall goal of the STOP Formula Grant Program?

The overall goal is to strengthen on-the-ground programs and system improvements addressing violence against women and related crimes by expanding access to services, improving training and practices, and strengthening coordinated community and criminal justice responses.

Who are the key professionals the program aims to support or improve practices for?

The description highlights professionals such as law enforcement, prosecutors, and service providers, with a focus on training, policies, and practices related to responding to these crimes.

If an organization cannot apply directly, how do they typically access STOP funding?

Organizations typically seek STOP-funded subawards administered by their state or territorial STOP administering agency, rather than applying directly to OVW.

What does it mean that this is a "mandatory" federal grant opportunity?

The opportunity is described as mandatory and structured as a formula grant, meaning it is designed to provide broad, consistent support through allocations to eligible states and territories based on statutory or regulatory criteria (rather than an open competition across all applicant types).