Medical Forensic Access Initiative
Funding projects to help states and organizations identify and address barriers to timely medical forensic exams for women and girl survivors of sexual assault.
Funder: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
Due Dates: July 25, 2026 (Full application) | July 27, 2026 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $500,000–$1,000,000 per award; up to 5 awards; project period up to 24–36 months; no cost sharing required.
Summary: Supports practical, data-driven projects to improve access to medical forensic examinations for women and girl survivors of sexual assault by addressing barriers, workforce shortages, and system-level gaps.
Description
This funding opportunity seeks to advance access to medical forensic examinations for women and girl survivors of sexual assault by supporting data-driven, scalable projects that address systemic barriers, workforce gaps, geographic disparities, and healthcare coordination challenges. Funded projects are expected to improve data collection and reporting, expand the forensic healthcare workforce (e.g., Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners), enhance telehealth-enabled forensic care, and foster multidisciplinary partnerships to improve the quality, consistency, and reach of forensic healthcare services. The program aligns with national priorities under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and is administered by the Office on Women's Health (OWH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
