Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program

For programmatic or technical questions:
202.307.6026
OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov

For grants management or budget questions:
888.514.8556
OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov

This program provides grant support and technical assistance to tribes for planning, developing, and implementing changes in tribal criminal justice systems necessary to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) for covered crimes, which are assault of tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; sex trafficking; stalking; and violation of a protection order.

The goal of the program is to ensure that victims find safety and justice and that non-Indians who commit covered crimes within their jurisdiction are held accountable.

Funds can be used for one or more of the following:

• To strengthen tribal criminal justice systems to assist Indian tribes in exercising SDVCJ including law enforcement, prosecution, trial and appellate courts, supervision systems, detention and correctional facilities, treatment, rehabilitation, and reentry services, culturally appropriate services and assistance for victims and their families, criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure, appellate procedure, and evidence
• To provide indigent criminal defendants with licensed defense counsel, at no cost to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a participating tribe prosecutes covered crimes
• 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
• To provide victims of covered crimes rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim described in section 3771(a) of Title 18

Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible to apply.

Award amount: $450,000 for new awards and $300,000 for continuation awards
Expected number of awards: 11
Project period: 3 years, with an option for a 2 year non-competitive supplement for a total of 5 years
Estimated total program funding: $5,000,000

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.

Applicants should submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in grants.gov by the May 9, 2023 deadline.

Submit the full application, including attachments, in the JustGrants grants management system by the May 11, 2023 deadline.

While not required, potential applicants are encouraged to email a letter of intent to OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov by April 20, 2023.