LAV Program Funds Legal Representation for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking

The Office on Violence Against Women offers up to $900,000 over 36 months to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and law schools that provide or want to develop comprehensive legal assistance for survivors in matters arising from the abuse they have experienced. Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov by July 31, 2026, with the full application due in JustGrants by August 4, 2026. A second category, the Expanding Legal Services Initiative, provides up to $750,000 over 24 months specifically to victim service organizations that do not currently offer in-house legal representation but want to build that capacity. OVW gives priority to projects serving rural and tribal communities.

Assistance Listing Number: 16.524
Opportunity Identification Number: O-OVW-2026-172580
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026

Eligible Institutional Structures and Geographic Priorities

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribal governments and tribal organizations, private nonprofit entities with or without 501(c)(3) status, territorial organizations, tribal nonprofit organizations, publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity such as law schools, and public or private institutions of higher education operating law schools. State and local governments are not eligible under this program.

All applications must include two required partnerships: a nonprofit or tribal organization with a mission of providing direct services to DV, dating violence, or sexual assault victims, and a nonprofit or tribal organization with actual experience providing legal representation to victims. Experience limited to legal referrals does not satisfy the second partnership requirement. These partnerships must be documented in a signed memorandum of understanding or, for lead applicants with their own legal representation expertise, a Memorandum of Exemption.

OVW gives priority consideration to applications focused primarily on legal assistance for sexual assault survivors, to applications that include tribal lands components, and to applications serving rural and tribal communities.

Financial Mechanics and Match Requirements

Standard Category 1 awards range from $750,000 to $900,000 for 36 months beginning October 1, 2026. Applications focused primarily on sexual assault legal assistance may request the higher $900,000 ceiling. Category 2 ELSI applicants building a new in-house legal program may request up to $400,000 for 24 months. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The budget must include at least $5,000 for OVW training and technical assistance travel. A supervision and mentoring plan for grant-funded attorneys must be included in the application.

Administrative Compliance and Post Award Oversight

Awards operate under 2 CFR Part 200 and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. All applicants proposing to provide legal assistance must submit a signed Delivery of Legal Assistance Certification confirming compliance with statutory requirements for attorney supervision, training, and expertise. A Confidentiality Notice Form is required. The certification regarding out-of-scope activities is required and is subject to ongoing federal litigation.

Performance is measured through OVW's VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative. OVW reviews performance data and the extent to which project activities align with the program goal of increasing access to comprehensive legal representation for survivors. Applicants focused on sexual assault legal assistance that dedicate all activities to this area may receive larger awards of longer duration and may qualify for an additional 24 months of noncompetitive continuation funding.