Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Law Justice and Legal Services

The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland (UBFGC) has announced the "Community Thrive" grant, a special funding opportunity designed to combat mental health issues and gun violence in the community. This initiative aligns with UBFGC's mission to identify and partner with organizations that are making a positive impact on the devastating effects of these issues, demonstrating a commitment to community well-being and social justice. The grant supports programs, resources, and support services that aim to improve mental health and/or reduce the incidence of gun violence, reflecting a strategic priority to foster a healthier and safer Cuyahoga County. The grant targets organizations serving Cuyahoga County that provide programming to support mental health or gun violence prevention/intervention work. The beneficiaries include youth and adults affected by depression, those at risk of suicide, individuals struggling with school violence/absenteeism, anger management, and social media addiction. In terms of gun violence, the grant aims to support families affected by gun violence, promote gun safety, and address gun culture and laws. The expected impact is a reduction in mental health crises and gun violence incidents, leading to improved community well-being and safety. The "Community Thrive" grant prioritizes projects that impact mental health wellness, including addressing depression, suicide prevention, school violence, anger management, and social media addiction. For gun violence prevention, the grant seeks innovative approaches such as education and awareness campaigns, and community-based interventions that tackle root causes. Specific areas of interest include preventing shootings in schools, universities, religious institutions, and retail locations, as well as supporting affected families. The grant also considers proposals addressing gun culture, gun safety, and gun laws. Applicants must be established organizations with a proven track record of at least three years, demonstrating their impact through data. They must serve Cuyahoga County and provide a minimum of one letter of support. A key criterion is that funding must be utilized for 80% programming and 20% operations and/or marketing. The organization must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal agent, and a one-page strategic plan summary outlining the use of funds is required. The grant does not support one-time events, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns, emphasizing a focus on sustained programming with a minimum execution period of one year, commencing January 1, 2024. These criteria reflect UBFGC's theory of change, which emphasizes evidence-based, long-term, and community-focused interventions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working globally to protect and promote fundamental freedoms and democratic values through rapid response initiatives in times of crisis or political change.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for a wide range of organizations to conduct innovative research and development in forensic science, enhancing tools and methods used in criminal justice.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

This funding provides the University of Southern Maine with $3.6 million to continue its work in collecting and analyzing data on the effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing violence against women, while also offering training and technical assistance to grantees.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to provide specialized counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) trainings and equipment to the Ivorian Force Recherche et d’Assistance de la Police (FRAP) and the United Intervention Gendarmerie Nationale (UIGN). The central Sahel is a global epicenter of terrorism. Countries in the region face an acute threat from violent extremist organizations (VEOs) affiliated with al-Qaida and ISIS operating in the central Sahel. Over the past three years, these VEOs have expanded from the central Sahel into the northern border regions of Coastal West Africa (CWA) littoral state (predominately Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana). The VEO threat in CWA is increasing. According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) data, 2023 recorded the highest number of VEO events in CWA ever (219), peaking in Q4 (65) with the highest quarterly sum ever experienced in the region. VEOs are increasingly utilizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to conduct attacks across the region. In Côte d'Ivoire, they have seen a rise in the number of IED events and sophistication of materials used in attacks. This increase is a result of an uptick in illegal and artisanal gold mining which has resulted in heavier explosive materials being trafficked into CDI’s northern border region. With FY23 funding, CT will provide C-IED/EOD training to the CDI national police and the national gendarmerie to increase their capacity to effectively disrupt, degrade, and respond to terrorist activity stemming from the Sahel. Specifically, this program will train law enforcement agents to render safe and disrupt IEDs. Police and Gendarmes slated for this training program will be assigned to EOD cells within each service’s respective intervention unit.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region to implement sustainable forestry initiatives that promote environmental justice, improve public health, and create green job opportunities in disadvantaged areas.

This program provides funding to state and local governments, schools, and nonprofits to implement strategies that enhance safety and prevent violence in K–12 schools.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and entities working to combat the intimidation and harassment of vulnerable communities by authoritarian governments operating beyond their borders.

INL seeks to assist the Kingdom of Morocco, through its Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and General Delegation for Prison Administration and Rehabilitation (DGAPR) in implementing a community corrections/ATI system. Moroccan prisons are regularly overcrowded, due largely to the lack of probation and parole options available to the accused. Those that are available under Moroccan law are rarely implemented. According to some reports, approximately 40% of all detainees in Morocco are held in pretrial detention. INL seeks to address overcrowding and pretrial detention rates by assisting the DGAPR and MOJ in developing a streamlined and effective ATI/community corrections regime within the framework of Moroccos draft ATI law (if implemented). Additionally, the MOJ is actively working on developing a drug diversion program for non-violent offenders, and INL welcomes proposals that include rehabilitation and diversion programs in their work. Implementation of an effective community corrections program that utilizes ATI will improve the capacity of the justice and corrections sectors to provide equitable and efficient access to justice throughout the country. Though Moroccos draft ATI law is expected to be passed in the near future, successful proposals will be designed to not be wholly contingent on the ATI law being passed into law.

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to provide support to CACs through a variety of subgrant assistance designed to enhance effective interventions in child abuse cases. CACs provide a coordinated response to child abuse victims through multidisciplinary teams composed of representatives from the agencies involved in the intervention, prevention, prosecution, and investigation systems that respond to child abuse.

The "Enhancing Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils Through Specialized Technical Assistance and Coaching" grant aims to support local criminal justice councils in implementing best practices for managing jail populations and reentry programs, using data-driven insights to improve operational efficiency and outcomes in the justice system.

Gabon has vast natural resources in its maritime and terrestrial ecosystems that are being exploited through illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; illegal logging; and poaching. According to a 2019 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, illegal logging costs Gabon an estimated $1 billion per year, while WildAid reports IUU fishing results in $610 million in losses per year. Objective of the grant: Raise public awareness about the devastating effects of illegal fishing, logging and encourage the community of Gabon to act against these detrimental practices. The goals of the awareness campaign on illegal fishing and logging are as follows: Raise Public Awareness: The primary goal is to educate and inform the community of Libreville and Gabon in general about the detrimental effects of illegal fishing and logging. Increase public understanding of the environmental, economic, and social consequences associated with these activities. Behavior Change: Encourage individuals to take a stand against illegal fishing and logging by adopting sustainable practices. Motivate citizens to report illegal activities, support conservation efforts, and promote responsible fishing and logging practices. Community Engagement: Foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members of Libreville, and Gabon. Encourage active participation in events, workshops, and seminars that promote environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Advocacy and Policy Support: Generate public support for stronger regulations and enforcement measures against illegal fishing and logging. Advocate for policy changes that enhance the protection of marine resources and forests in Gabon. Partnerships and Collaborations: Establish partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, government bodies, press and influencers to create a united front against illegal activities. Leverage collective efforts to maximize the campaign's impact and sustainable outcomes. Long-Term Awareness and Behavior Shift: Create a lasting impact by instilling a sense of responsibility and understanding of the importance of preserving marine resources and forests. Lay the foundation for long-term behavior change and sustainable practices among individuals and communities.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to enhance the capacities of state, local, territorial, and tribal criminal justice systems to prevent, investigate, and respond to economic, high-technology, white collar, and internet crimes by delivering TTA to diverse stakeholders. In addition, the program is intended to serve as a key resource to identify new and emerging issues in economic, high-technology, white collar, and internet crime.

This funding opportunity supports research and evaluation projects that aim to improve strategies for preventing and addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, targeting a range of eligible applicants including local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various government and nonprofit organizations to improve access to medical forensic examinations for sexual assault survivors through the development and expansion of specialized programs and services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that offer mentoring services to at-risk youth across multiple states, helping them improve their academic performance and avoid negative behaviors.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to strengthen Colombian law enforcement's ability to combat the forced recruitment and exploitation of children by criminal and terrorist groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and civil society groups in the U.S. and Argentina for projects that promote economic growth, good governance, and democratic principles in Argentina.

As people harmed by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking seek expanded options to address the harm they have experienced, communities have continued to strengthen and improve their responses, approaches, and services. One such approach is restorative practices. Restorative practices incorporate an understanding of trauma and are intended to repair and address the harm experienced while providing meaningful accountability for the harm-doer. An effective restorative practices program is completely voluntary for the person harmed, promotes their autonomy, and prioritizes their safety, while promoting meaningful justice, accountability, and community safety. The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, 34 U.S.C. 12514, authorizes funding to eligible entities to develop and implement a program, or to assess best practices for: 1) restorative practices to prevent or address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; 2) training by eligible entities, or for eligible entities, courts or prosecutors, on restorative practices and program implementation; and 3) evaluations of a restorative practice, as defined within the statute. Accordingly, OVW is launching the Restorative Practices Pilot Program in three (3) phases: 1) Training and Technical Assistance; 2) Evaluation; and 3) Pilot Sites. Phase 1: Training and Technical Assistance OVW issued the FY 2023 Restorative Practices Technical Assistance Pilot Program Call for Concept Papers in March 2023 to identify organizations with the requisite experience and capacity to provide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to recipients, subrecipients, and potential recipients and subrecipients of this program. Following an intensive review of responses to the Call for Concept Papers, OVW invited five entities to submit full applications. OVW issued awards to three of those applicants in March 2024 for five-year TTA projects that will run from April 2024 through March 2029 and will involve a planning phase. In addition to providing TTA to the pilot sites, the TTA providers will participate in evaluation efforts funded through the FY 2024 Restorative Practices Pilot Program Evaluation Solicitation. The TTA providers are funded under a separate funding announcement. This solicitation is exclusively intended to fund pilot sites of the Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program. Phase 2: Evaluation In March 2024, OVW released the Restorative Practices Pilot Program Evaluation Solicitation to invite applications to conduct research and evaluation on restorative practices in collaboration with TTA providers and pilot sites. While pilot sites funded through this Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program Solicitation will be required to provide funding for and designate an on-site Evaluation Liaison to work with evaluator(s) and participate in the community-tailored evaluation, the comprehensive evaluation will be funded under that separate funding announcement. This solicitation is exclusively intended to fund pilot sites of the Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program. Phase 3: Pilot Sites (this solicitation) This Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program is a 60-month funding opportunity seeking to support, strengthen, enhance, and expand existing restorative practice programs that prevent or address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, in accordance with the restorative practices definition at 34 U.S.C. 12514(a)(3), and build evidence for victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive restorative practices addressing these harms. OVW will award cooperative agreements to eligible entities that form a partnership of two or more entities that have (1) a demonstrated history of comprehensive training and experience in working with victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and (2) demonstrated experience in implementing restorative practices. OVW is interested in supporting communities to enhance or expand current efforts, including an evaluation of the intersection of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and restorative practices. In addition, OVW seeks to fund a range of pilot sites, including sites in various geographic locations with different demographic characteristics; culturally specific, and/or underserved populations; and different VAWA subject areas to be addressed (i.e., domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking). OVW is interested in supporting projects that implement a diverse range of restorative practices, including projects that may have a connection to the criminal justice system, as long as the program is not housed within or administered by a court, prosecutors office, law enforcement agency, or any other component of the civil or criminal justice system. Recipients under this program will receive TTA for the duration of their awards that is tailored to the recipients distinct approach to restorative practices in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases. Recipients will be required to collaborate with the evaluator(s) to help develop an understanding of establishing, implementing, and using restorative practices to redress the harm caused by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The terms used throughout this solicitation may vary from people harmed, people who caused harm, harm-doers, victim, survivor, and offender, which reflects terminology used by practitioners and the statutory language that authorizes this program, 34 U.S.C. 12514.