OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program - Solicitation

This program is authorized by the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (codified as amended at 25 U.S.C. § 1304(h)(2)). The OVW Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program (Tribal Jurisdiction Program) (CFDA# 16.025) supports tribes in their efforts exercise special Tribal criminal jurisdiction (STCJ) over non-Indians who commit "covered crimes" within the Tribe's jurisdictional boundaries and provides technical assistance for planning and implementing changes in their criminal justice systems necessary to exercise the jurisdiction. "Covered crimes" are limited to assault of Tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; sex trafficking; stalking; and violation of a protection order. Grant recipients are committed to exercising the jurisdiction to ensure that victims find safety and justice and that non-Indians who commit covered crimes within their jurisdiction are held accountable. For additional information about this program and related performance measures, including how awards contribute to the achievement of program goals and objectives, see: OVW grant program information: OVW Grants and Programs Webpage. Program performance measures under the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative: VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative webpage. Program-specific sections in OVW's most recent report to Congress on the effectiveness of VAWA grant programs. What's New About this OVW Program In the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022), Congress recognized the inherent authority of Tribes to exercise STCJ over non-Indians who commit an expanded set of "covered crimes." In addition to domestic violence, dating violence, and violation of certain protection orders, these "covered crimes" now include: assault of tribal justice personnel (without requirement that victim be Indian), child violence, obstruction of justice (without requirement that victim be Indian or connection to covered crime), sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. VAWA 2022 amended the statutory provisions governing the Tribal Jurisdiction Program to enable grantees to address all covered crimes. New applicants must include a Project Coordinator position at least .5 FTE.