OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Grants to Improve the Criminal Justice Response (ICJR) Program | O OVW 2024 171991

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the OVW FY 2024 Grants to Improve the Criminal Justice Response (ICJR) Program?

The ICJR Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It is designed to help communities strengthen and coordinate how their criminal justice systems respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

2) What is the main purpose of ICJR funding?

The program is intended to improve safety, protection, and autonomy for victims by treating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as serious criminal violations. It supports efforts to make investigations, prosecutions, court handling, and related victim-centered services more effective, consistent, and coordinated across the justice system.

3) What kinds of problems or gaps is the program trying to address?

ICJR focuses on gaps in criminal justice responses that can leave victims unprotected, lead to inconsistent outcomes, or discourage reporting. The program supports reforms and coordinated practices that improve offender accountability and strengthen outcomes for victims.

4) What does "improving the overall criminal justice response" mean in this program?

It means the program supports coordinated, system-wide efforts rather than isolated activities. The emphasis is on collaboration among key partners (law enforcement, prosecutors, courts including juvenile courts, and victim service organizations) so that responses are consistent and victim-centered across agencies and stages of a case.

5) What types of violence does ICJR focus on?

The program focuses on improving justice responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

6) Who is eligible to apply for ICJR funding?

Eligibility is limited to specific applicant types within the United States and U.S. territories. Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• Indian Tribal Governments (including federally recognized tribal governments)
• State and local courts (including juvenile courts)
• Units of local government (such as counties, cities, or townships)
• Tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
• State, tribal, or territorial domestic violence or sexual assault coalitions
• Victim service providers

7) Are courts eligible applicants under this opportunity?

Yes. State and local courts are eligible, including juvenile courts.

8) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The opportunity includes eligibility for certain nonprofit entities connected to victim services, including victim service providers and state, tribal, or territorial domestic violence or sexual assault coalitions. It also indicates eligibility for nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

9) Does the program support collaboration between justice agencies and victim service organizations?

Yes. A central aim of ICJR is improving collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts (including juvenile courts), and victim service organizations to create stronger, more coordinated, victim-centered responses.

10) How many awards does OVW expect to make under this program for FY 2024?

OVW anticipates making about 35 awards.

11) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award.

12) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

13) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 16.590.

14) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-OVW-2024-171991.

15) What is the activity category associated with this grant?

The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

16) What legal authorities govern this program?

The program is authorized by federal statute at 34 U.S.C. sections 10461 through 10465 and implemented through federal regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 90, Subpart D.

17) When was the notice created and when did the application period close?

The notice was created on February 21, 2024. The original closing date for applications was April 30, 2024.

18) What outcomes is ICJR ultimately trying to improve?

ICJR aims to improve public safety, enhance victim confidence in the justice system, strengthen offender accountability, and support victims ability to make informed choices and regain stability through more coordinated, victim-centered criminal justice strategies.