S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Grant Program

The S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Grant Program is administered by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council as part of a broader federal initiative under the Violence Against Women Act. The program is designed to strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to violence against women while enhancing and expanding services available to victims. It emphasizes collaboration across multiple sectors, including law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service providers, to create a coordinated and multidisciplinary response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The primary purpose of the program is to improve the effectiveness of systems that address violent crimes against women and to ensure that victims receive comprehensive and accessible support. Funding supports a wide range of initiatives, including training for criminal justice professionals, development of specialized units, and improvements to policies and procedures that govern responses to these crimes. The program also promotes the use of data systems that improve coordination among agencies and enhance the tracking of cases from arrest through prosecution and conviction. Allowable uses of funds include the development and expansion of victim services programs, legal assistance, and outreach efforts targeting underserved populations. Funds may also be used to support specialized initiatives such as sexual assault forensic examiner training, domestic violence court advocacy, and culturally specific services. Additional supported activities include prevention programming, improvements in evidence collection technologies, and initiatives aimed at addressing violence in correctional settings or among vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ communities. The program also allows funding for immigration-related victim assistance and documentation support. Eligibility for this grant program is broad and includes state agencies, units of local government such as cities and counties, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations including faith-based entities, and nongovernmental victim service providers. This inclusive eligibility framework is intended to ensure that a wide range of organizations involved in victim services and criminal justice responses can participate. Applicants must propose projects that align with one or more of the defined purpose areas to be considered for funding. The application process requires submission through the Oklahoma Grant Exchange system. For the current funding cycle, applications open on August 25, 2025, and must be submitted by October 13, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to ensure alignment with board-established priority areas, which include improving victim advocacy, strengthening prosecution and law enforcement capabilities, increasing access to services for underserved populations, and enhancing prevention efforts. The VAWA Grant Board reviews applications and determines funding awards based on alignment with these priorities and the overall implementation plan. The program operates on a recurring funding cycle, with periodic Notices of Funding Opportunity released by the administering agency. Interested applicants may request to be added to a notification list to receive updates when new funding opportunities become available. Contact for the program is provided through the Federal Grants Division, including both a general office phone number and an official email address for inquiries. The timeline for awards and project performance periods is not explicitly stated but is governed by the state’s implementation plan and federal guidance under the Violence Against Women Act.

Align proposals with priority areas such as victim advocacy, underserved populations, and coordinated criminal justice responses