PKG00294023.pdf

OMB No. 1122-0020

Approval Expires: 6/30/2028

Office on Violence Against Women:

FY 2026 Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OVW-2026-172651

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1: Complete SF-424 and submit in Grants.gov: October 6, 2026, by 11:59 pm

2: Submit full application in JustGrants: October 8, 2026, by 4:59 pm

OVW FY 2026 ESPOC Pilot

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Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

6. Application Review information

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements & Administration

9. Questions?

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1. BASIC INFORMATION

Purpose of the Funding The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the U.S Department of Justice. OVW administers Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants designed to prevent and respond to domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot (ESPOC Pilot). This opportunity supports state and Tribal courts efforts to develop and implement programs for properly and legally serving protection orders through electronic communication methods. See Eligibility and Program Description for details.

Funding Details Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.062

Statutory Authority 34 U.S.C. § 10462a

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-OVW-2026-172651

Expected Total Amount of Funding $3,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards 2

Award Type Grant

Anticipated Award Amount Up to $1,500,000

Expected Award Period 60 months starting on October 1, 2026

Key Dates and Times NOFO Release Date August 19, 2026

Pre-application Q&A Session September 2, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Start the process at least 30 days before deadlines

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on October 6, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 4:59 p.m. ET on October 8, 2026

Anticipated Notification Date By December 31, 2026

See Questions? at the end of this NOFO for agency contact information.

https://usdoj-jmd.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/iGXbdROwREuazD1FtRJNzw

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2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities

• State1 or Tribal2 courts that are part of a multidisciplinary partnership (see

Required Partnership).

Cost sharing and application limit: This NOFO does not require cost sharing (match). OVW will consider only one application per organization for the same service area. In addition, if an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, OVW will review only the most recent system-validated version submitted before the deadline.

Additional Eligibility Factors Required partnerships: The program statute lists 11 entities and individuals that must, to the extent practicable, be part of the applicant’s multidisciplinary partnership. To meet this requirement, OVW has determined that the application must include formal partnerships with the four entities and individuals listed below. You will provide details about these partnerships in the

Proposal Narrative and Letters of Commitment.

1. A state, Tribal, or local law enforcement agency;

2. A victim service provider4 or state or Tribal domestic violence coalition;

3. At least one state or Tribal court judge with expertise in domestic violence and issuing protective orders; and

4. The department(s) with at least two individuals with expertise in the design and management of court case management technology and systems of integration.

In the first year of the award, recipients will be required to make substantial efforts to develop or expand partnerships with the remaining entities and individuals listed in the statute.

Disqualifying factors: Factors that may result in removal during the review process are described on the OVW website.

1 The applicant may be a state or territory (see 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(37), as well as a unit of local government or a state, territorial, or local court system.

2 For Tribal courts, the applicant should be the Tribe or Tribal government (federally recognized, see 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(43), unless the Tribe allows its court system to apply for federal funding without going through the Tribal government.

3 See 34 U.S.C. 10462a(a)(1)-(11).

4 Defined at 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(50).

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/discretionary-grant-application-review-process

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3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority/Program Goals and Objectives Per 34 U.S.C. § 10462a(c), funds must be used to:

1. Develop and implement a program for properly and legally serving protection orders through electronic communication methods to:

i) modernize the service process and make the process more effective and efficient;

ii) provide for improved safety for victims; and

iii) make protection orders enforceable as quickly as possible.

2. Develop best practices relating to the service of protection orders through electronic communication methods.

3. Ensure that the program developed complies with due process requirements and other procedures required by law or by a court.

4. Implement any technology necessary to carry out the program developed, such as technology to verify and track the receipt of a protection order by the intended party.

Additional program requirements: Applicants that receive funding under this program will be required to:

• participate in a planning period of up to 24 months;

• submit a report in the first two years of the award detailing their implementation plan for properly and legally serving protection orders through electronic communication methods; and

• submit two implementation reports describing the viability, cost, service statistics, challenges, analysis of technology used, analysis of legal or due process issues resulting from the electronic service method, best practices for implementing such a program in similarly situated locations, and recommendations for future nationwide implementation of the program and use of electronic service for other commonly issued court orders.

Expected outcomes: OVW will measure success by reviewing a recipient’s submission of performance reports and data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and objectives of this NOFO. See the VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative for more information.

Unallowable activities: For information on program-specific unallowable activities and costs to help you develop your application and budget consistent with program requirements, see the Application Companion Guide and Budget section of this NOFO.

https://vawamei.org/grant-program/electronic-service-protection-order-court-pilot/ https://vawamei.org/grant-program/electronic-service-protection-order-court-pilot/ https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2026-application-companion-guide#24

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Agency Funding Priorities OVW may give priority consideration to applicants that propose projects designed to advance the following public-safety priorities (as applicable within the scope of this

NOFO):

1. Combatting human trafficking and transnational crime, particularly crimes linked to illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, and cartel operations, including projects that strengthen law enforcement investigation and prosecution while supporting safety and justice for trafficking victims who have also suffered domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

2. Projects dedicated to direct victim services and/or criminal justice responses— including investigation, arrest, prosecution, and enforcement of protective orders—particularly in small towns and rural, remote, and Tribal communities.

Note: Addressing these priorities is one of many factors that OVW considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

4. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Application Contents List OVW will only consider applications that contain parts marked *REQUIRED* below.

Refer to the DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist for application instructions. All supporting documents and resources for this program are on the OVW website.

Application Item Submission Type Step 1: Grants.gov Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424 *REQUIRED* Online Form Step 2: JustGrants Standard Applicant Information *REQUIRED* Online Form Data Requested with Application

• Pre-award Risk Assessment Online Form

Proposal Narrative *REQUIRED* Attachment Budget *REQUIRED* Attachment Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) Attachment

Letters of Commitment *REQUIRED* Attachment Additional Application Components

• Certification regarding out-of-scope activities

• Summary Data Sheet

• Confidentiality Notice Form

Attachment https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://www.justice.gov/ovw/funding-opportunities#discretionary https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

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Standard Applicant Information *REQUIRED* Review and edit as needed the information imported from the SF-424 submitted in Grants.gov and add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project.

Data Requested with Application: Pre-award Risk Assessment Complete this questionnaire in JustGrants. The questions are available here.

Proposal Narrative *REQUIRED* Format of the Proposal Narrative

• Use the FY 2026 ESPOC Proposal Narrative Template on the OVW website. It must be:

• No longer than 10 pages, single-spaced

• In a font no smaller than 11-point

• On correctly numbered pages with one-inch margins

• In a file format openable in Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader

• In a table format or use headings and subheadings that correspond to the sections listed below

• Written in plain language

If you do not follow this format, OVW may reduce the score/ranking of the application.

Sections of the Proposal Narrative The Proposal Narrative must include the three sections listed below. If you want priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state which priority(ies) your project will advance and describe how it will do so.

For NOFOs that require a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or letters of commitment from project partners, they are reviewed in conjunction with the Proposal Narrative.

1. Purpose of the Project (weighted at 20%)

• Say why you are applying for the grant.

• Identify the project’s goals/objectives. Summarize why the goals/objectives were selected, e.g., how the project complements other services, improves services, fills service gaps, and/or responds to a need.

• Describe the communities that will be served.

• Describe the process currently used for service of protection orders in the applicant’s jurisdiction and challenges with such service. Include relevant statistics, if available, to support the challenges and/or needs identified.

• Describe the rates of successful service and enforcement of protection orders in your service area for the past three calendar years.

2. What Will Be Done (weighted at 35%)

• For each project goal, describe:

https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/1408981/dl?inline https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/1458431/dl?inline

U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 8 o Activities and who is responsible for them;

o How the applicant will ensure victim safety and/or offender accountability; and o Outcomes for knowing the goal was achieved, and how these outcomes will be tracked.

• Provide a 60-month timeline which includes a planning period of up to 24 months.

• Describe how services, products, etc. will be accessible to anyone who may need them.

3. Who Will Implement the Project (weighted at 20%)

• Identify the people who will implement the project, including the four required partners. Provide for each person their name, agency/organization, position/title, their role and responsibilities on the proposed project, and a description of how they are equipped to fulfill their role/responsibility on the project.

• Describe anticipated coordination and collaboration among project partners and/or others and how working together will advance the project’s goals.

• Describe proposed efforts to expand partnerships in the first year of funding, as described in Required Partnerships.

Budget and Associated Documentation Budget *REQUIRED* (weighted at 25%) Use the Sample Budget Narrative (attach file in JustGrants) to submit the budget. Refer to Budget Information and the Creating a Budget webinar for more information:

• List each cost needed to implement the project under the appropriate cost category. Total funding requested for 60 months must be no more than $1,500,000.

• Clearly name and describe each cost.

• Show the computation of each cost (e.g., cost per unit, # of units, and total cost).

• Enter narrative, as needed, to explain the cost calculations and connection to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

• Include only costs that are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to implement the project. They must be allowable under the funding statute and agency requirements.5.

• Fairly and reasonably compensate project partners, unless a reason not to is explained in a memorandum of understanding or letter of support.

• Distinguish clearly between subawards and contracts in allocating any grant funds to other entities.6

• Set aside a minimum of $10,000 on the Travel line to participate in training and technical assistance.

5 See 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. Read information on unallowable costs here.

6 More information on this is here.

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/gfmd-sample-budget https://www.justice.gov/ovw/budget-information https://www.justice.gov/ovw/video/creating-budget-training-ovw-applicants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview https://www.justice.gov/ovw/budget-information https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2025-application-companion-guide#23

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Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): If the budget includes indirect costs, upload your current, federally approved indirect cost rate agreement.

Letters of Commitment and Supporting Documents *REQUIRED* A Letter of Commitment (LOC) must be provided by each of the four required partners.

OVW’s website has instructions for LOCs.

Additional Application Components Attach these in JustGrants:

• Certification regarding out-of-scope activities letter signed by the Authorized Representative.

o Note: This certification is the subject of federal litigation. For the most up-to-date information, see OVW’s funding opportunities page.

• FY 2026 ESPOC Summary Data Sheet, one to four pages.

• Confidentiality Notice Form, signed by the Authorized Representative, acknowledging the confidentiality requirements of 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(2).

Disclosures and Assurances Complete the disclosures, assurances, and certifications in JustGrants.

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit by the deadlines. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) applies to this funding opportunity. OVW’s How to Apply page has a policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disaster.

6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

OVW’s Discretionary Grant Application Review Process page explains the responsiveness review, review criteria, review and selection process, including risk review, and deciding official.

7. AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process on OVW’s website.

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/memoranda-understanding-and-letters-support https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/1403491/dl?inline https://www.justice.gov/ovw/funding-opportunities https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/1458426/dl?inline https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/384316/dl?inline https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2026-application-companion-guide#22b https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/standardassurances.pdf https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/certifications.pdf https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.justice.gov/ovw/how-to-apply-for-ovw-funding https://www.justice.gov/ovw/discretionary-grant-application-review-process https://www.justice.gov/ovw/discretionary-grant-application-review-process#award

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8. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATION

Read the Application Companion Guide for more information about standard award terms and conditions, administrative and national policy requirements, and post-award reporting requirements.

9. QUESTIONS?

NOFO Contact Phone: 202-307-6026 Email: OVW.ElectronicService@usdoj.gov hSAM.gov Help Desk

Website: https://sam.gov/content/help Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday – Friday

Grants.gov Help Desk

Phone: 800-518-4726 Email: support@grants.gov Website: https://www.grants.gov/support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays)

JustGrants Help Desk

Phone: 866-655-4482 Email: OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday – Friday https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2026-application-companion-guide https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2026-general-terms-and-conditions https://www.justice.gov/ovw/fy-2026-general-terms-and-conditions mailto:OVW.ElectronicService@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/content/help mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov