OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program

The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women administers Violence Against Women Act grants designed to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program, also called the Disability Grant Program, supports states, local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and certain nonprofit organizations in improving responses to violence and abuse affecting individuals with disabilities and Deaf people. The program is authorized under 34 U.S.C. Section 20122 and has Assistance Listing Number 16.529. Program funds may support personnel, training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction, prevention, and outreach addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and caregiver abuse. Funds may also support cross-training among victim service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, first responders, and organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Other authorized activities include modifying policies, protocols, and procedures to improve equal access; providing training and technical assistance concerning federal anti-discrimination requirements; providing advocacy and intervention services; and developing model programs that strengthen organizational capacity. Projects may modify facilities, purchase equipment, and provide personnel to accommodate individuals with disabilities and Deaf people, but applicants addressing facility modification must also address another statutory purpose. Minor renovation costs are limited to 10 percent of the budget. Eligible applicants include state governments, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments or Tribal organizations, units of local government, and qualifying nonprofit entities. Eligible nonprofits include victim service providers, Tribal nonprofit organizations, and nonprofit nongovernmental organizations serving individuals with disabilities and Deaf people. Nonprofit applicants must have and maintain IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Faith-based organizations may apply if they otherwise meet program eligibility requirements. Every application must include both a victim service provider or Tribal organization serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and a nonprofit nongovernmental organization serving individuals with disabilities and/or Deaf people. The lead applicant may fulfill one, but not both, required partnership roles. Projects must operate at the state, Tribal, multi-county, or local level rather than at a regional, multi-state, or national level. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, and an applicant may not submit more than one application under the NOFO. The expected total funding available is $10,500,000, with approximately 18 awards anticipated. An award may provide up to $600,000 for a 36-month period beginning October 1, 2026. Budgets must include only reasonable, allocable, necessary, and allowable costs and should fairly and reasonably compensate project partners unless the application explains otherwise in the partnership documentation. Applicants must set aside at least $15,000 for training and technical assistance travel if located in the contiguous states or at least $20,000 if located in a territory, Alaska, or Hawaii. Applicants must also clearly distinguish subawards from contracts when allocating grant funds to other entities. Application submission occurs in two required steps. Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424 through Grants.gov by September 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and submit the full application through JustGrants by September 29, 2026, at 4:59 PM Eastern Time. Required JustGrants materials include Standard Applicant Information, a Proposal Narrative, a Budget, and a Memorandum of Understanding. Other application elements include a proposal abstract limited to 2,000 characters, a pre-award risk assessment, applicable financial attachments, certification regarding out-of-scope activities, a Summary Data Sheet, a Confidentiality Notice Form, an applicable Delivery of Legal Assistance Certification, and proof of 501(c)(3) status when applicable. The Proposal Narrative may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages and must use a font of at least 12 points, one-inch margins, correctly numbered pages, plain language, and the required organizational structure. The Proposal Narrative is evaluated through three weighted sections: Purpose of the Project at 30 percent, What Will Be Done at 35 percent, and Who Will Implement the Project at 20 percent. The required Budget is weighted at 15 percent. Applicants seeking priority consideration must identify the applicable funding priority and explain how the proposed project advances it. OVW may give priority consideration to qualifying projects addressing human trafficking and transnational crime or projects dedicated to direct victim services and/or criminal justice responses, particularly in small towns and rural, remote, and Tribal communities. Priority consideration does not guarantee funding. OVW measures funded project success through performance reports, reported data, and evidence that implementation is progressing toward the program's goals and objectives. The NOFO was released August 13, 2026. Applicants are instructed to begin SAM.gov registration or renewal at least 30 days before the submission deadlines. The Grants.gov submission deadline is September 25, 2026, and the final JustGrants deadline is September 29, 2026. OVW anticipates notifying applicants by September 30, 2026, with the 36-month award period beginning October 1, 2026. The program contact is available at OVW.Disabilities@usdoj.gov or 202-307-6026. Grants.gov assistance is available at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726, and JustGrants assistance is available at OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov or 866-655-4482. The NOFO does not state that the opportunity recurs annually or on another regular schedule.

Follow the required Proposal Narrative format and directly address Purpose of the Project, What Will Be Done, and Who Will Implement the Project because these sections are weighted at 30%, 35%, and 20%, respectively, while the Budget is weighted at 15%. Clearly connect goals, activities, responsible parties, victim safety or offender accountability, measurable outcomes, accessibility, personnel qualifications, and partner collaboration. Use only reasonable, allocable, necessary, and allowable budget costs and clearly show cost computations. Applicants seeking priority consideration should identify the applicable priority and explain how the project advances it. Failure to follow narrative formatting requirements may reduce the score or ranking.