OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Legal Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault Grant Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- O-OVW-2026-172580
- Agency
-
Office on Violence Against Women
Offices Boards and Divisions, Department of Justice
- Applications due
- Award size
- $400,000 to $900,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 16.524 Legal Assistance for Victims
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women is soliciting applications for Fiscal Year 2026 Legal Assistance for Victims grants due July 31, 2026, to increase access to comprehensive legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters arising from or relating to that abuse. Projects must include organizations with a mission and history of providing direct services to victims in these categories.
Eligible applicants are private 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those not federally recognized), publicly funded organizations not acting in their governmental capacity such as law schools, higher education institutions (public and private), and other eligible entity types. Eligible grantees must provide comprehensive legal assistance as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(24), encompassing civil and criminal legal representation across practice areas including family law, immigration, employment, housing, protection order proceedings, and criminal justice matters. Services must be trauma-informed and victim-centered, designed to promote victim safety, privacy, economic independence, and autonomy.
Recent project grants have ranged from approximately $367,191 to $900,000 for performance periods typically spanning two to three years. Performance locations include legal service offices, courthouses, victim advocacy agencies, and community-based organizations nationwide across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and tribal jurisdictions. Over 80 project grants were awarded in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with continuation awards representing a significant portion of recent funding.
Applicants must apply through Grants.gov and the Department of Justice JustGrants System. Applicants will be notified by the end of the fiscal year. Award criteria are specified in the program notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/open-notices-of-funding-opportunities. The program is listed under CFDA 16.524.
Synopsis
The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program increases access to legal assistance for victims of domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking relief in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. It funds projects that provide comprehensive legal assistance, as defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(24). The projects must include organizations that have a mission and history of providing direct services to victims of domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
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