OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program - Solicitation | O OVW 2023 171485

Opportunity Information: Apply for O OVW 2023 171485

The OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Authorized under 34 U.S.C. 12511(c) and listed under CFDA 16.023, the program is designed to strengthen sexual assault services that are specifically tailored to culturally specific communities. In practical terms, this solicitation targets organizations that already understand the cultural, linguistic, historical, and community realities that can shape how survivors experience sexual violence and how they seek (or avoid) help. The central aim is to build, keep, and grow services that are both culturally appropriate and sustainable, so victims of sexual assault from culturally specific communities can access support that fits their needs and circumstances.

The program funds nonprofit organizations that primarily serve culturally specific communities and that have experience serving sexual assault victims, or that can demonstrate a meaningful partnership with another organization that has that sexual assault expertise. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal organizations (as organizations, not federally recognized tribal governments), 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), and certain other applicants as further clarified in the solicitation. OVW positions this funding within its broader Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) framework and ties it to performance measurement expectations, pointing applicants to OVW program webpages, VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative materials, and OVW reporting to Congress. That emphasis signals that grantees are expected not only to deliver services, but also to track progress and outcomes in ways consistent with OVW reporting and accountability standards.

The services supported by this program are meant to address the distinct barriers that culturally specific survivors may face, which can include language access issues, immigration-related concerns, distrust of systems due to discrimination or past harms, geographic isolation, stigma within tight-knit communities, limited culturally competent providers, and challenges navigating healthcare, legal, and advocacy systems. By focusing on culturally specific organizations and partnerships, OVW is prioritizing approaches that are rooted in the community and informed by lived experience, rather than one-size-fits-all service models. The overall goal is to help victims receive effective intervention and related assistance that is responsive to their realities and reduces obstacles to safety, healing, and stability.

A notable update highlighted in the solicitation is a change made by the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The reauthorization expanded what can qualify as "intervention and related assistance" under this program to include direct payments for victims of sexual assault. This is an important program evolution because it acknowledges that immediate financial needs can be a critical part of survivor safety and recovery. Depending on the solicitation rules and budget guidance, direct payments may help cover urgent, survivor-centered needs that remove barriers to accessing services or maintaining safety, and applicants are instructed to review the purpose areas and budget sections for how this can be proposed and administered.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number O-OVW-2023-171485, created February 8, 2023, with an original closing date of March 31, 2023. The award ceiling is listed at $300,000 per award, and OVW anticipated making approximately 17 awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services, reflecting OVW's role in supporting victim services that often intersect with legal systems, advocacy, and justice-related responses.

• The Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program - Solicitation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.023.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 08, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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