OVC FY 17 Vision 21: Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime | OVC 2017 12281

Opportunity Information: Apply for OVC 2017 12281

The OVC FY 17 Vision 21: Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime grant opportunity is a discretionary funding program from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), intended to strengthen how crime victims are reached and supported through modern technology. The purpose is to fund projects that use technology in innovative, practical ways to interact directly with victims of crime and to improve the availability and quality of services such as information sharing, referrals, crisis intervention, and longer-term assistance. A central theme of the solicitation is expanding access and improving responsiveness at a national level, meaning proposed approaches should be designed to reach victims across the United States rather than being limited to a single local or regional service area.

The solicitation emphasizes technology not as a standalone product, but as a set of tools and strategies that can change how victim services are delivered. Competitive projects are expected to create, expand, or enhance technology initiatives that make it easier for victims to find help, connect with providers, navigate systems, and receive timely support. In practice, this could include technology-enabled communication and service delivery methods that reduce barriers such as geography, disability access needs, language differences, safety concerns, or the reluctance many victims feel about seeking help in person. OVC is specifically looking for organizations that can demonstrate an innovative and thoughtful plan for using technology to improve service delivery and victim access on a broad scale.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, including tribal nonprofits, that can show they have the financial and administrative infrastructure to manage a federal award and carry out a national-scope project serving victims of crime within the United States. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a distinctive capability to implement the proposed work and a clear commitment to serving victims through a project designed for nationwide impact. The opportunity also clarifies that a private nonprofit does not need to have formal 501(c)(3) status to apply, which broadens eligibility beyond only federally tax-exempt charities, as long as the organization meets the solicitation's nonprofit and capacity requirements.

From a project structuring standpoint, organizations are allowed to submit multiple proposals under this solicitation, but each project must be submitted as a separate application. OVC also allows collaborative projects involving two or more entities, but only one organization can be the official applicant and primary award recipient. Any partnering organizations must be included as subrecipients (subgrantees), while the lead applicant retains responsibility for administering the funds, managing compliance requirements, and overseeing the full project implementation and reporting.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates a closer working relationship with the federal agency than a standard grant, often involving substantial involvement by OVC in aspects such as coordination, guidance, or oversight during the project period. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 16.582 and falls under the broad activity categories of Income Security and Social Services and Law, Justice, and Legal Services. The award ceiling listed is $1,400,000, and OVC anticipated making up to five awards. The original closing date for applications was June 23, 2017, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of May 25, 2017.

Finally, the solicitation notes that OVC may choose to fund strong applications submitted under the FY 2017 announcement in future fiscal years, depending on the merit of the applications and the availability of appropriations. This signals that high-quality proposals could remain relevant beyond the immediate competition window if future funding becomes available, although any such funding would still be contingent on federal budget decisions and OVC priorities.

• The Office for Victims of Crime in the income security and social services, law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVC FY 17 Vision 21: Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.582.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for OVC 2017 12281

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