OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Grant Program

OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Grant Program is sponsored by Office on Violence Against Women. Supports Tribal governments in preparing to exercise or exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit covered crimes within the Tribe’s jurisdictional boundaries.

OMB No. 1122-0020 Approval Expires: 06/30/2028 # Office on Violence Against Women : # FY 2026 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Grant Program ## Grants. gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OVW-2026-172636 ## Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET): 1: Complete SF-424 and Submit in Grants.

gov: August 11, 2026, by 11:59 pm ET 2: Submit full application in JustGrants: August 13, 2026, by 4:59 pm ET OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 2 ## 1. Basic Information 3 ## 3. Program Description 4 ## 4.

Application Contents and Format 6 ## 5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines 10 ## 6. Application Review Information 10 ## 8.

Post-Award Requirements & Administration 11 ## 9. Questions? 11 OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 3 The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice.

OVW administers Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants designed to prevent and respond to domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVW Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Grant Program , which supports Tribal governments in preparing to exercise or exercising STCJ over non-Indians who commit “covered” crimes within the Tribe’s jurisdictional boundaries.

More information on the scope and requirements of STCJ, including the pilot program for Alaska Tribes interested in exercising STCJ in their Villages, is available on the DOJ website Announcement Type Initial Assistance Listing Number 16. 025 Statutory Authority Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (codified as amended at 25 U.S.C. § 1304(h)(2)) Grants.

gov Opportunity Number O-OVW -2026 -172636 Expected Total Amount of Funding $9,000,000 Anticipated Number of Awards 7 Anticipated Award Amount $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 Expected Award Periods 24, 36, 48, or 60 mos. , starting Oct. 1, 2026 NOFO Release Date June 4, 2026 SAM.

gov Registration/Renewal Start the process at least 30 days before deadlines Step 1: Grants. gov Deadline 11:59 p. m.

ET on A ugust 11, 2026 Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 4:59 p. m. ET on A ugust 13, 2026 Anticipated Notification Date By September 30 , 2026 See Questions?

at the end of this NOFO for agency contact information. > 1I. e.

, Assault of Tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; sex trafficking; stalking; and violation of a protection order. 25 U.S.C. § 1304(a)(5).

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 4 Entities that are eligible to apply are: • Governments of Indian Tribes 2 that have jurisdiction over Indian country 3 or occupy a Village in Alaska 4 • Consortia of such governments 5 Recipients with grants ending by September 30, 2026 may apply but are unlikely to be funded if they have enough funds to carry the project through September 30, 2027.

Cost sharing and application limit: This NOFO does not require cost sharing (match). You may submit only one application under this NOFO. If you submit multiple versions of the same application, only the most recent system-validated version will be reviewed.

Additional Eligibility Factors Documentation demonstrating authority to apply : Applicants must submit a Tribal resolution or letter demonstrating authority to apply. Tribal consortia also must document authority to apply on behalf of member Tribes. See Additional Application Components for how to submit.

Disqualifying factors: Factors that may result in removal during the review process are described on the OVW website . Statutory Authority/Program Goals and Objectives Per 25 U.S.C. § 1304(h)(2), funds must be used for one or more of the following purposes : 1.

To strengthen Tribal criminal justice systems to assist Indian Tribes in exercising special Tribal criminal jurisdiction, including for: A.

law enforcement (including the capacity of law enforcement, court personnel, or other non-law enforcement entities that have been designated by an Indian Tribe as responsible for maintaining public safety Defined as any Tribe, band, or other group of Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and recognized as possessing powers of self-government, see 25 U.S.C. § 1301(1).

Defined as the Alaska Native Village Statistical Area covering all or any portion of a Native village (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1602)), as depicted on the applicable Tribal Statistical Area Program Verification map of the Bureau of the Census, see 25 U.S.C. § 1305 note.

A Tribal consortium is a coalition of two or more separate federally recognized Indian Tribes that join together for the purpose of participating in self-governance and exercising criminal jurisdiction.

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 5 within the territorial jurisdiction of the Indian Tribe, to enter information into and obtain information from national crime information databases); C. trial and appellate courts (including facilities maintenance, renovation, and rehabilitation); E.

detention and corrections (including facilities maintenance, renovation, and rehabilitation); F. treatment, rehabilitation, and reentry programs and services; G. culturally appropriate services and assistance for victims and their families; and H.

criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure, appellate procedure, and evidence; 2. To provide indigent criminal defendants with licensed defense counsel, at no cost to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe prosecutes covered crimes; 3.

To ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe exercises special Tribal criminal jurisdiction, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements; and 4. To accord victims of covered crimes rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim described in section 3771(a) of title 18, United States Code, consistent with Tribal law and custom.

Expected outcomes: OVW will measure success by reviewing a recipient’s submission of performance reports and data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and objectives of this NOFO. See the VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative for more information.

Unallowable activities: For information on program-specific unallowable activities and costs to help you develop your application and budget consistent with program requirements, see the Application Companion Guide and Budget in this NOFO.

Agency Funding Priorities OVW may give priority consideration to applicants that propose projects designed to advance the following public-safety priorities (as applicable within the scope of this NOFO): 1.

Combatting human trafficking and transnational crime, particularly crimes linked to illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, and cartel operations, including projects that strengthen law enforcement investigation and prosecution while supporting safety and justice for trafficking victims who have also suffered domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 6 2. Projects primarily dedicated to direct victim services and/or criminal justice responses—including investigation, arrest, prosecution, and enforcement of protective orders—particularly in small towns and rural, remote, and Tribal communities.

Note: Addressing these priorities is one of many factors that OVW considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration does not guarantee funding. # 4.

APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT Application Contents List OVW will only consider applications that contain all parts marked *REQUIRED* below. Refer to the DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist for application instructions. All supporting documents and resources for this program are on the OVW website .

Application Item Submission Type Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424 *Required* Online Form Standard Applicant Information *Required* Online Form Data Requested with Application • Pre-award Risk Assessment Online Form Proposal Narrative *Required* Attachment Budget *Required* Attachment • Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) Attachments Additional Application Components • Documentation Demonstrating Authority to Apply *Required* • Certification Regarding Out-of-Scope Activities • Confidentiality Notice Form Standard Applicant Information *REQUIRED* Review and edit as needed the information imported from the SF-424 submitted in Grants.

gov and add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project. OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 7 Data Requested with Application: Pre-award Risk Assessment Complete this questionnaire in JustGrants. The questions are available here .

Proposal Narrative *REQUIRED* Format of the Proposal Narrative The Proposal Narrative must be: • No longer than 25 pages, single-spaced • In a font no smaller than 11-point • On correctly numbered pages with one-inch margins • In a file format openable in Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader • In a table format or use headings and subheadings that correspond to the sections listed below • Written in plain language If you do not follow this format, OVW may reduce the score/ranking of the application.

Sections of the Proposal Narrative The Proposal Narrative must include the three sections listed below. If you want priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state which priority(ies) your project will advance and describe how it will do so. 1.

Purpose of the Project (weighted at 30%) • Describe the Tribal community/ies that will be served. • Is the Tribe currently exercising STCJ over any covered crime? • Provide responses to the appropriate section below.

If the Tribe is NOT currently exercising STCJ, answer the following questions: a. Are changes to the Tribe’s Constitution and/or Code needed to exercise STCJ? b.

Describe the law enforcement services provided in the Tribe’s service area. c. Where will the Tribe house non-Indian inmates (if known)?

d. Does the Tribe currently provide indigent defense to defendants in Tribal court? e.

Does the Tribe have a jury pool process in place, and if so, are non-Indians included in the jury pool? f. Does the Tribe currently employ judges who are licensed attorneys with sufficient training to preside over STCJ criminal proceedings?

g. Does the Tribe have any prosecutors on staff? If the Tribe IS currently exercising STCJ answer the following questions: a.

What year did the Tribe start exercising STCJ? b. Are all STCJ “covered” crimes prosecuted in the Tribal court?

If no, list the STCJ “covered crimes” that are not prosecuted in Tribal court. OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 8 c.

Provide the web address or instructions on how to access the Tribe's publicly available criminal code (including regulations and interpretative documents), rules of evidence, and rules of criminal procedure (including rules governing the recusal of judges in appropriate circumstances) pertaining to STCJ. 2. What Will Be Done (weighted at 35%) • Identify the project’s goals/objectives.

Summarize why the goals/objectives were selected, e.g., how the project complements other services, improves services, fills gaps, and/or responds to a need. • For each project goal, describe: o Activities and who is responsible for them; o How the applicant will ensure victim safety and/or offender accountability; and o Outcomes for knowing the goal was achieved, and how these outcomes will be tracked.

• Describe how services, products, trainings, etc. will be accessible to anyone who may need them. 3. Who Will Implement the Project (weighted at 20%) • Identify the people who will implement the project.

Provide for each person their name, agency/organization, position/title, and their role and responsibilities on the proposed project. a. A Project Coordinator (state whether this position will be funded with grant funds or supported in a different way) b.

Required Project Partners (if one of these roles is not filled, explain how it will be represented in project planning and implementation):  Tribal general counsel/attorney  Victim service provider  NOTE: All recipients will develop and submit a memorandum of understanding after acceptance of the grant, demonstrating the collaboration and expertise of all required project partners o Optional project partners, such as a Tribal coalition, jail administrator, court services officer, code reviser, batterers’ program intervention facilitator, and an explanation of their role(s) within the project.

o Any staff, contract, and/or consultant positions that will be created for the project and/or paid for with grant funds. • Describe anticipated coordination and collaboration among project partners and/or others and how working together will advance the project’s goals.

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 9 Budget and Associated Documentation Budget *REQUIRED* (weighted at 15%) Use the Sample Budget Narrative (attach file in JustGrants) to submit the budget. Refer to Budget Information and the Creating a Budget webinar for more information: • Applicants may choose an award period of 24, 36, 48, or 60 months.

Budgets, including the total “estimated funding” on the SF-424, must reflect 24, 36, 48, or 60 months of project activity, as applicable. • List each cost needed to implement the project under the appropriate cost category. For FY 2026, OVW is not setting a maximum award amount per application.

• Clearly name and describe each cost. • Show the computation of each cost ( e.g. , cost per unit, number of units, and total cost). • Enter narrative, as needed, to explain the cost calculations and connection to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

• Include only costs that are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to implement the project. They must be allowable under the funding statute and agency requirements. 6 • Distinguish clearly between subawards and contracts in allocating any grant funds to other entities.

7 • Set aside a minimum of $10,000 on the Travel line to participate in training and technical assistance. Budget/Financial Attachments • Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): If the budget includes indirect costs, upload your current, federally approved indirect cost rate agreement.

Additional Application Components Attach these in JustGrants: • Documentation Demonstrating Authority to Apply o Tribal Governments: A Tribal resolution or a letter on Tribal letterhead signed by the chief executive officer of the governing body of the Tribe (e.g., the Tribal chairperson, president, governor, principal chief, or other equivalent official), dated during 2026 and stating that: a.

The applicant is a federally recognized Tribe appearing in the most recently published list of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs; > 6See 2 C. F. R.

Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide . Read information on > unallowable costs here . > 7More information on this is here .

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 10 b. The Tribe has jurisdiction over lands that meet the definition of Indian country or occupies a Village (as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 1305 note); c.

The governing body of the Tribe intends to plan, develop, implement, and exercise STCJ within its jurisdiction; and d. Internal required project partners will participate in and cooperate with the planning, development, implementation, and exercise of STCJ, and the Tribe will authorize Tribal agencies or officials to enter into/sign a memorandum of understanding to implement the project.

o Tribal Consortia: A Tribal resolution or legal equivalent from each Tribal consortium member dated during 2026, containing statements (a)-(d) listed above and authorizing the consortium to apply for this grant.

Alternatively, a Tribal consortium may submit bylaws or other governance documents that allow the consortium to apply on behalf of member Tribes, along with a letter, resolution, affidavit, or other legal document certifying that the consortium has the legal authority to apply for this grant and make the representations in statements (a)-(d) above on behalf of all consortium members.

• Certification regarding out-of-scope activities letter signed by the Authorized • Summary Data Sheet , one to four pages. • Confidentiality Notice Form , signed by the Authorized Representative, acknowledging the confidentiality requirements of 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(2).

Disclosures and Assurances Complete the disclosures , assurances , and certifications in JustGrants. # 5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit by the deadlines .

Executive Order (E. O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs), does not apply to this funding opportunity.

OVW’s How to Apply page has a policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disaster. # 6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION OVW’s Discretionary Grant Application Review Process page explains the responsiveness review, review criteria, review and selection process, including risk review, and deciding official.

OVW FY 2026 STCJ Grant Program > U.S. Department of Justice | Office on Violence Against Women | 11 Read about the award notification process on OVW’s website . # 8. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATION Read the Application Companion Guide for more information about standard award terms and conditions , administrative and national policy requirements, and post-award NOFO Contact Phone: 202-307-6026 Email: OVW.

TribalJurisdiction@usdoj. gov SAM. gov Help Desk Website: https://sam.

gov/content/help Hours: 8 a. m. to 8 p.

m. ET Monday – Friday Email: support@grants. gov Website: https://www.

grants. gov/support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays) Email: OVW. JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.

gov Hours: 7 a. m. to 5 p.

m. ET Mon-Fri