Applications Due: January 25, 2017, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Description:

The Tribal Jurisdiction Program is designed to assist Indian tribes in exercising “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” (SDVCJ). Through this grant program, Indian tribes will receive support and technical assistance for planning, developing and implementing changes in their criminal justice systems necessary to exercise SDVCJ. The program encourages collaborations among tribal leadership, tribal courts, tribal prosecutors, tribal attorneys, tribal defenders, law enforcement, probation, service providers, and other partners to ensure that non-Indians who commit crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protection orders are held accountable. The Tribal Jurisdiction Program encourages the coordinated involvement of the entire tribal criminal justice system and victim service providers to incorporate systemic change that ensures victim safety and offender accountability.

Purpose Areas

In FY 2017, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 1304(f), funds under the Tribal Jurisdiction Program may be used for the following purposes:

1) To strengthen tribal criminal justice systems to assist Indian tribes in exercising SDVCJ, including:

(A) law enforcement (including the capacity of law enforcement or court personnel to enter information into and obtain information from national crime information databases);

(B) prosecution;

(C) trial and appellate courts;

(D) probation systems;

(E) detention and correctional facilities;

(F) alternative rehabilitation centers;

(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 the effective assistance of licensed defense counsel, at no cost to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a participating tribe1 prosecutes a crime of domestic violence or dating violence or a criminal violation of a protection order;

3) To ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a participating tribe exercises SDVCJ, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements; and

4) To accord victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protection orders rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim described in section 3771(a) of Title 18, consistent with tribal law and custom.

Funding Title: OVW FY 2017 Grants to Tribal Governments to Exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction

Agency Name: Office on Violence Against Women

Funding Opportunity Number:   OVW-2017-11906

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

Express Language for Legal Aid: No

Target Population: Native American victims of domestic violence and dating violence

Expected Number of Awards: 7

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Estimated Total Program Funding: $38,850,000

Award Ceiling: $450,000

Award Floor: $0

Current Closing Date for Applications:  January 25, 2017 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

 Length of Project Period: 36 months

 Project Start Date: 10/1/2017

Current Closing Date for Applications:   by January 25, 2017, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Eligible Applicants: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Link to Full Announcement: Here

 How to Apply: The complete application package is available on Grants.gov or at the OVW website at http://www.justice.gov/ovw. Applicants wishing to request a paper copy of the application materials should contact OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov.

Letter of Registration: Applicants intending to apply for FY 2017 funding under this program are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of registration. The letter should state that the applying organization is registered and current with the System for Award Management (SAM) and with Grants.gov. The letter should be submitted to OVW at OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov by January 11, 2017. This will ensure that the applicant is well-positioned to successfully submit a proposal by the application deadline. This letter will not obligate the applicant to submit an application. See APPENDIX B for a sample Letter of Registration.

Pre-Application Webinar: OVW will conduct two web-based Pre-Application Information Sessions. During these sessions, OVW staff will review the Tribal Jurisdiction Program requirements, review the solicitation, and allow for a brief question and answer session. Participation in the sessions is optional. The sessions are tentatively scheduled for:

1. Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 4:00pm – 5:00pm eastern
2. Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 4:00pm – 5:00pm eastern

Anyone interested in submitting an application to the Tribal Jurisdiction Program may register to participate in a pre-application information session. The total number of participants for each session is limited to 50 participants. Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis, and space is not guaranteed.

Interested participants from the same agency/jurisdiction are strongly encouraged to participate together so that as many communities as possible may join the session.

OVW reserves the right to deny multiple registrations from a single tribe. To register, please contact OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov. Please state in the subject line “pre-application webinar.” Registration must be received at least two days prior to the start of the webinar to allow time for scheduling, receipt of confirmation and to provide webinar information which will be sent to all registrants.

Contact Information:

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the Tribal Affairs Division at OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov or (202) 307-6026.

Categories: Department of Justice, Domestic Violence, Native American, Native American Tribes or Tribal Organizations, Native Americans, Subgrant Possibilities, Victims of Crime