OVC FY 2026 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, administers the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program to provide federal support for improving services to crime victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The program is funded through a statutory set-aside from the Crime Victims Fund and reflects the Department of Justice’s broader mission to enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law, and protect victims of crime. This funding opportunity is structured as a noncompetitive formula grant, meaning eligible entities receive allocations based on population certifications rather than a competitive review process. The purpose of the program is to expand, enhance, and sustain victim services in tribal communities. Funding may be used for a wide range of activities that directly support victims of crime, including advocacy services, mental health support, outreach, and system navigation. The program allows flexibility in use of funds, including for construction or renovation of facilities such as shelters or victim services offices. However, all expenditures must be reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to victim services. Activities unrelated to victim services, such as law enforcement operations, prosecution, or offender rehabilitation, are explicitly unallowable. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Regional Corporations, and authorized designees that have submitted required population certifications and received an invitation to apply. Applicants may apply individually or as part of a consortium. All recipients and subrecipients, including for-profit entities, must operate on a nonprofit basis for this funding and may not collect profit or management fees. Importantly, the program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, reducing financial barriers to participation. The application process involves a two-step submission. Applicants must first complete and submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov, followed by a full application submission in JustGrants. The application includes standard forms, a proposal narrative questionnaire capturing project details, a detailed budget and narrative, and supporting documents such as timelines, resumes, and potentially construction questionnaires. Applicants may also request technical assistance from OVC staff to complete the proposal narrative questionnaire. Applications are reviewed to ensure that proposed activities are reasonable, achievable, and aligned with program goals. While the program is formula-based and noncompetitive, OVC evaluates submissions for completeness, clarity, and consistency with statutory requirements. Recipients are required to submit regular performance reports documenting progress toward program goals, including data on services provided and outcomes achieved. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a Grants.gov submission deadline of August 6, 2026, and a JustGrants deadline of August 13, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026. The initial award period is 12 months beginning October 1, 2026, but the program operates within a five-year funding cycle extending through September 30, 2031. Additional funding in subsequent years is contingent upon federal appropriations and satisfactory performance. Tribes are not required to apply annually and retain eligibility even if they skip a funding cycle. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the program via the official OVC email address or utilize support services provided by Grants.gov and JustGrants help desks. Additional resources, including webinars and guidance documents, are made available through OVC to support applicants throughout the process.