OVW Cybercrimes Program Funds Government Entities to Prevent and Prosecute Computer-Facilitated Crimes Against Individuals

The Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice offers up to $750,000 over 36 months to state governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, and units of local government for training, investigation, prosecution, and prevention activities related to cybercrimes committed against individuals. Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov by September 1, 2026, with the full application due in JustGrants by September 3, 2026. OVW gives priority consideration to projects serving small towns and rural, remote, and tribal communities, which creates a genuine competitive opportunity for rural government applicants.

Assistance Listing Number: 16.060
Opportunity Identification Number: O-OVW-2026-172629
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Application Deadline:September 1, 2026

Eligible Institutional Structures and Geographic Priorities

Only three entity types are eligible: state governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, and units of local government including counties, cities, and townships. Police departments, sheriffs' departments, prosecutors' offices, and universities cannot apply directly; any law enforcement or prosecution agency that wants access to this program must have an eligible county, city, or township government apply as the lead entity on its behalf. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this program.

There are no geographic restrictions, but OVW priority consideration is available for projects that serve small towns, rural communities, and tribal communities. A state or local government that can certify compliance with federal immigration law, including 8 U.S.C. 1373, or that participates in the ICE 287(g) program, may receive additional priority consideration. An applicant may submit more than one application if each proposes a different project.

Financial Mechanics and Match Requirements

OVW has committed $6.75 million for this competition and anticipates funding approximately 10 awards. For applications proposing training activities for law enforcement or for prosecutors and judges, the award ceiling is $750,000 for 36 months. For applications proposing other program activities such as public education, task forces, equipment acquisition, or extradition assistance, the ceiling drops to $500,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The budget must include at least $5,000 on the travel line for OVW-required training and technical assistance events.

Administrative Compliance and Post Award Oversight

Awards operate under 2 CFR Part 200 and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. Recipients must track and report performance data through the VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative. If the application proposes training for law enforcement under purpose 1, a signed memorandum of understanding with a victim services provider is a required application component. All applicants must submit a certification letter signed by the chief executive officer of the applicant government entity and a Summary Data Sheet. A Confidentiality Notice Form is required acknowledging the VAWA victim privacy requirements.

OVW measures program success by reviewing performance reports and the extent to which project activities match the goals and objectives described in the application. Post-award reporting is standard for federal grants: financial reports, performance progress reports, and data submissions to the VAWA performance measurement system.