OVC FY 2026 National Mass Violence Center

The National Mass Violence Center grant opportunity is offered by the Office for Victims of Crime within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. This program is designed to support the continued operation of a national center dedicated to preparing for and responding to incidents of mass violence and domestic terrorism. The Office of Justice Programs serves as a federal leader in advancing public safety, supporting law enforcement, and providing services to victims of crime, and this initiative aligns with its broader mission to strengthen community resilience and victim support systems across the United States. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to ensure that the National Mass Violence Center can provide comprehensive assistance to communities affected by mass violence incidents. This includes delivering training, education, and technical assistance, as well as developing best practices and tools to support victims, families, and first responders. The center is expected to provide both in-person and virtual support, assist in establishing recovery centers, and help jurisdictions integrate victim services into emergency response planning. A strong emphasis is placed on behavioral health, including mental health services and long-term resilience for impacted individuals and communities. Funding under this program supports a wide range of allowable activities, including personnel costs, technology and infrastructure development, training initiatives, facility expenses, travel, and collaboration with partners or subrecipients. However, there are clear restrictions on the use of funds, including prohibitions on supporting law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, providing cash payments to victims, or funding programs that violate federal laws or civil rights protections. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers barriers to entry for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity includes educational organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education, as well as nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must demonstrate the internal capacity to carry out the project and may partner with other entities as subrecipients, although only one organization may serve as the primary applicant. The program encourages collaboration among stakeholders such as law enforcement, emergency responders, health professionals, and community organizations to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The application process requires submission through a two-step system. Applicants must first submit the SF-424 form via Grants.gov, followed by a full application through JustGrants. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget, and supporting documentation such as resumes, timelines, and letters of support. The proposal narrative must address key evaluation criteria, including the identified need, project design, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals. Applications are reviewed based on responsiveness, completeness, and adherence to funding priorities. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a Grants.gov submission deadline of July 22, 2026, and a JustGrants submission deadline of July 27, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced by September 30, 2026, with an initial performance period beginning October 1, 2026, and lasting 12 months. The program is structured as a cooperative agreement with the potential for up to four additional years of funding, contingent on performance and availability of funds, bringing the total possible funding period to five years. Overall, this grant represents a significant federal investment in strengthening national capacity to respond to mass violence incidents. By supporting the National Mass Violence Center, the program aims to improve coordination, enhance victim services, and build long-term resilience in communities across the country. The initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex needs of victims and stakeholders involved in mass violence response and recovery.

Align proposal clearly with stated goals and objectives; demonstrate strong organizational capacity and prior experience; ensure all required components are complete and formatted correctly