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 STCJ including law enforcement; prosecution; trial and appellate courts; supervision systems; detention and corrections; 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 STCJ, 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 tribal governments that have jurisdiction over Indian country are eligible to apply. Applications from consortia of tribes are encouraged.

There is no maximum award amount for this opportunity. Tribes should request the total amount needed to carry out the proposed project. Awards typically fall in the range of $300,000 - $500,000 for new and continuation grants.

Expected number of awards: 10
Project period: 5 years years
Estimated total program funding: $6,000,000

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 July 9, 2024 deadline.

Submit the full application, including attachments, in the JustGrants grants management system by the July 11, 2024 deadline.

While not required, potential applicants are encouraged to email a letter of intent to OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov by June 30, 2024.