Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Hiring and Training Program

For program-related questions:
202.307.6026
OVW.SAFEProgram@usdoj.gov

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

OVW JustGrants support:
866.655.4482
OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov

SAM.gov assistance:
866.606.8220
https://sam.gov/content/help

This program provides funding to establish or expand access to pediatric and/or adult/adolescent sexual assault forensic exams by funding the salaries of full- and part-time sexual assault nurse/forensic examiners (SANEs/SAFEs) providing forensic exams or serving as a regional preceptor or as a SANE/SAFE instructor.

Funds under this program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Provide access to simulation laboratories and other resources necessary for clinical education
2. Provide full- and part-time salaries for SANEs and SAFEs, including pediatric SANEs and SAFEs

Activities may include:

• Providing didactic and clinical preparation of prospective pediatric and/or adult/adolescent SANEs/SAFEs
• Providing regional preceptorships to prospective pediatric and/or adult/adolescent SANEs/SAFEs, including preceptorships in a program providing care to sexual assault patients' medical forensic needs or in a simulation setting using medical simulation models and/or standardized patients
• Paying fees related to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) Certification and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Pediatric/Adolescent (SANE-P) Certification, including certification renewal
• Paying fees related to state SANE/SAFE certification/credentialing, including certification/credentialing renewal
• Providing medical forensic examinations to pediatric and/or adult/adolescent victims of sexual assault
• Providing direction or consultation about sexual assault forensic examination cases using telehealth
• Participating in peer review of sexual assault cases
• Providing court testimony, as a fact witness or expert witness, for a case

One of the program priorities is to increase the local and regional availability of full- and part-time sexual assault nurse examiners in a rural area, Tribal area, an area with a health professional shortage, or for populations with limited access to healthcare, including efforts to provide culturally competent services.

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• Units of local government
• Tribal governments
• Sexual assault examination programs
• State and territorial sexual assault coalition
• Healthcare facilities
• Community- and faith-based programs and organizations

Expected award amounts: $500,000 - $750,000
Project period: 3 years
Estimated number of awards: 36
Estimated total program funding: $18,100,000

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

Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to email a letter of intent to OVW.SAFEProgram@usdoj.gov by May 27, 2025.

Applications are submitted through a two-step process with the SF-424 and SF-LLL due in Grants.gov on June 24, 2025 and the full application including attachments in the Justice Grants System (JustGrants) due on June 26, 2025.