OVW Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program | O OVW 2026 172634

FAQs: OVW FY 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program

What is this grant opportunity?

The OVW Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program is a mandatory grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It supports the ongoing statewide or territory-wide work of domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions that coordinate, strengthen, and advance efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Who administers this program?

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

Is this a competitive discretionary grant?

No. It is listed as a mandatory grant opportunity and is structured as a statutory set-aside within the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program framework. That means it is tied to formula-based funding priorities established in federal law rather than being run as a purely discretionary competition.

How does this program relate to the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program?

This program is structured as a statutory set-aside within the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program framework. In other words, it is linked to formula-based funding priorities and set-aside requirements set in federal law.

Does this opportunity include funding connected to SASP (Sexual Assault Services Program)?

Yes. It includes a statutory set-aside linked to the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP), specifically reserved for state and territory sexual assault coalitions.

What types of organizations is this funding intended to support?

The funding is intended to support domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions operating on a statewide or territory-wide basis. The program description emphasizes the distinct role coalitions play across an entire state or territory, including leadership, training and technical assistance, policy coordination, capacity building, and support to local programs and service providers.

What activities or roles of coalitions does the program emphasize?

The opportunity highlights coalition roles such as providing leadership; delivering training and technical assistance; coordinating policy and systems; building capacity; supporting local programs and service providers statewide or territory-wide; aligning partners; improving systems; and elevating effective approaches that reduce violence and increase survivor safety and access to services.

What is the overall goal of the program?

The goal is to reinforce coalition infrastructure so coalitions can continue to align partners, improve systems, and elevate effective approaches that reduce violence and increase survivor safety and access to services.

What issue areas does the program cover?

The program supports efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited and determined by federal statute. While the listing includes nonprofit categories (501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education), the governing authority is 34 U.S.C. 10441(c)(2). That statute specifies that eligible entities for this program are determined by the Department of Health and Human Services, and the description indicates applicants generally need to be the designated coalition entity for their state or territory as recognized through the relevant federal process.

Are general nonprofit service providers eligible if they are not the designated coalition for a state or territory?

Based on the program description, eligibility is not interchangeable with general service-provider nonprofits. The opportunity notes that applicants generally need to be the designated coalition entity for their jurisdiction as recognized through the relevant federal process referenced in federal statute.

What is the governing legal authority referenced for eligibility?

The opportunity references 34 U.S.C. 10441(c)(2) and notes that eligible entities for the program are determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.

What funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under Law, Justice, and Legal Services.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 16.556.

How many awards does OVW anticipate making?

OVW anticipates making approximately 87 awards under this announcement.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $343,065.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on July 28, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original closing date for applications is August 31, 2026.

What is the official funding opportunity title?

The official title is “OVW Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program.”

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-OVW-2026-172634.

Why is the opportunity described as “mandatory”?

It is described as mandatory because it is consistent with a set-aside/formula-based structure tied to priorities established in federal law rather than a purely discretionary competition.

What is meant by a “statutory set-aside” in this context?

In this context, a statutory set-aside means the program funding is reserved in federal law within broader formula grant frameworks (including STOP and a SASP-linked set-aside for sexual assault coalitions), and awards are aligned with those statutory requirements.