OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative - Invitation to Apply | Apply Online

FAQs: OVW FY 2026 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative - Invitation to Apply

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), titled the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative - Invitation to Apply. It focuses on strengthening the investigation and prosecution of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) crimes occurring in Indian country.

What is the main purpose of the Tribal SAUSA Initiative?

The purpose is to improve how VAWA-related cases are investigated and prosecuted in Indian country by creating a closer operational partnership between a Tribe and its corresponding United States Attorney's Office (USAO). The grant supports funding an attorney who can work across both Tribal and federal systems so cases can be handled more consistently across jurisdictional boundaries.

What does SAUSA mean in this program?

In this initiative, SAUSA refers to a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. The funded attorney is intended to be cross-designated to serve in dual roles: as a federal SAUSA and as a Tribal prosecutor.

How does the dual-role prosecutor model help?

The model is meant to reduce delays and weaknesses that can happen when multiple jurisdictions are involved. By embedding a prosecutor who can operate in both Tribal and federal systems, the initiative aims to make referrals, charging decisions, evidence development, victim-centered practices, and interagency workflows more effective and more predictable.

What types of crimes does this initiative focus on?

The initiative is focused on Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) crimes occurring in Indian country.

What challenges is OVW trying to address with this funding?

OVW describes common problems the initiative is designed to address, including jurisdictional and coordination challenges that can slow down or weaken responses to VAWA-related offenses. The initiative is intended to help ensure cases do not fall through cracks created by overlapping or unclear authority and to strengthen coordination among agencies.

What specific goals does OVW highlight for the program?

OVW highlights goals that include: filling gaps in jurisdictional coverage; increasing communication and coordination among Tribal, federal, and state law enforcement agencies; building consistent working relationships between federal prosecutors and Tribal communities; and improving the overall quality of investigations and prosecutions involving VAWA crimes.

Who is eligible to apply for this FY 2026 invitation?

Eligibility for this particular FY 2026 invitation is extremely limited. Only three federally recognized Tribal governments are eligible to apply: the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation (California).

Is this an open competition for all federally recognized Tribes?

No. While broader eligibility categories may appear elsewhere (such as "Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)" and "Others"), the controlling language provided for this opportunity restricts applications to the three named Tribes. This is described as an invitation-to-apply style announcement rather than an open competition for all Tribes.

How many awards does OVW expect to make?

OVW expects to make up to three awards, which aligns with the three invited applicants.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $1,460,000.

What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?

The award mechanism is a grant.

What activity area is this grant associated with?

The opportunity is associated with the law, justice, and legal services activity area.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 16.055.

What is the funding intended to support?

The funding is intended to allow the Tribe, working in coordination with its USAO partner, to hire or retain the agreed-upon attorney who will serve in the dual-capacity SAUSA/Tribal prosecutor role. The aim is to strengthen investigations and prosecutions of VAWA crimes in Indian country through sustained collaboration and improved cross-jurisdictional capacity.

How is the funded attorney selected or positioned under the initiative?

The initiative describes a shared prosecutorial resource who is mutually selected by the Tribe and the USAO, and cross-designated to serve in both the federal SAUSA role and the Tribal prosecutor role.

Which federal agency administers this opportunity?

The administering agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-OVW-2026-172660.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on September 1, 2026.

What is the application closing date?

The application closing date is September 15, 2026.

Where are the VAWA crimes addressed by this program expected to occur?

The program is focused on VAWA crimes occurring in Indian country.

What kinds of improvements in case handling does OVW expect from the initiative?

Based on the program description, OVW expects improvements in cross-jurisdictional case handling, including more consistent movement of cases forward, better coordination across agencies, and stronger investigative and prosecutorial quality for VAWA crimes.