OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative - Invitation to Apply
This grant funds Tribes to hire or retain attorneys who serve as both Tribal prosecutors and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to improve prosecution of Violence Against Women Act crimes in Indian country.
Funder: Office on Violence Against Women
Due Dates: September 15, 2026 (Grants.gov) | September 17, 2026 (JustGrants full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,460,000 per award over 60 months; 3 awards expected; total program funding $4,380,000.
Summary: Supports select federally recognized Tribes in hiring or retaining a cross-designated Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to improve investigation and prosecution of VAWA crimes in Indian country.
Key Information: Only the Yakama Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Yurok Tribe are eligible to apply in FY 2026.
Description
This initiative, administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), provides funding to specifically invited federally recognized Tribes to work in partnership with their local United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). The grant supports hiring or retaining an attorney to serve as both a Tribal prosecutor and a cross-designated Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA). The goal is to address gaps in jurisdictional coverage, improve coordination among Tribal, federal, and state law enforcement, foster relationships between federal prosecutors and Tribal communities, and enhance the quality of investigation and prosecution of crimes covered by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) within Indian country.
