2026 STOP Formula Grant Program (United States)

Deadline: 03-Jul-2026

The Fiscal Year 2026 STOP Formula Grant Program, administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the U.S. Department of Justice, provides funding to state governments to strengthen responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. With an estimated funding pool of $173.3 million, the program supports law enforcement, courts, victim services, prevention initiatives, and coordinated statewide efforts to improve safety, justice, and support for survivors.

Program Overview

The Fiscal Year 2026 STOP Formula Grant Program is a federal funding initiative authorized under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The program is designed to improve the criminal justice system’s response to violence against women while expanding services, advocacy, and support for victims and survivors.

The initiative promotes collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, victim service providers, forensic medical personnel, tribal organizations, and community stakeholders. Through coordinated responses, the program seeks to enhance victim safety, increase offender accountability, improve access to justice, and strengthen support systems for individuals affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The program serves as one of the primary federal funding mechanisms supporting state-level efforts to combat gender-based violence and improve outcomes for survivors across the United States and its territories.

Focus Areas

Funding may support activities in the following priority areas:

Criminal Justice System Enhancement

• Strengthening law enforcement responses to violence against women.
• Improving prosecution strategies and court responses.
• Developing specialized domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking units.
• Enhancing coordination among justice system partners.
• Improving offender accountability measures.

Training and Professional Development

• Specialized training for law enforcement personnel.
• Training for prosecutors, judges, and court personnel.
• Capacity building for forensic medical professionals.
• Cross-sector training initiatives involving victim service organizations.

Sexual Assault Response Improvements

• Establishing and strengthening Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs).
• Improving sexual assault investigations.
• Enhancing prosecution of sexual assault cases.
• Addressing sexual assault evidence kit backlogs.
• Improving forensic evidence collection and management.

Victim Services and Advocacy

• Expanding victim advocacy programs.
• Strengthening legal assistance services.
• Improving crisis intervention and support services.
• Increasing access to culturally responsive services.
• Enhancing long-term support for survivors.

Services for Underserved Populations

• Older adults experiencing abuse.
• Individuals with disabilities.
• Deaf individuals and communities.
• Tribal communities and Native populations.
• LGBTQ+ individuals facing violence.
• Victims experiencing barriers to accessing services.

Prevention and Education

• Community awareness campaigns.
• Violence prevention initiatives.
• Public education programs.
• School and community-based prevention strategies.

Policy and Systems Reform

• Legislative reform initiatives.
• Statewide policy development.
• Enhanced data collection systems.
• Improved communication and information-sharing systems.
• Coordinated community response models.

Specialized Programs

• Jessica Gonzales Victim Assistants Program activities.
• Crystal Judson Domestic Violence Protocol Program activities.
• Immigration-related assistance for eligible victims.
• Programs addressing violence within correctional settings.

Funding Information

The Fiscal Year 2026 STOP Formula Grant Program includes:

• Total estimated funding: $173.3 million.
• Estimated number of awards: 56.
• Expected award range:
  • Minimum: approximately $617,000.
  • Maximum: approximately $16.4 million.
• Funding type: Formula grant.
• Funding recipients: State governments and eligible U.S. territories.
• Cost sharing and matching requirements apply in accordance with program regulations.

Funds may be used for:

• Victim services and advocacy.
• Criminal justice improvements.
• Training and workforce development.
• Sexual assault response initiatives.
• Evidence collection and forensic enhancements.
• Prevention and education programs.
• Policy and systems improvements.
• Coordinated statewide responses.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• The 50 U.S. states.
• District of Columbia.
• Puerto Rico.
• Guam.
• American Samoa.
• Northern Mariana Islands.
• U.S. Virgin Islands.

Applicants must:

• Meet statutory eligibility requirements established under VAWA.
• Submit all required certifications and assurances.
• Demonstrate compliance with program requirements.
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal laws and grant conditions.
• Meet any cost-sharing or matching obligations identified in the funding announcement.

Local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations are generally not direct applicants under this formula grant program but may receive support through state-administered funding processes.

How the Program Works

• Federal funding is allocated to eligible states and territories through the STOP Formula Grant Program.
• States develop implementation plans that align with VAWA requirements and program priorities.
• Funding is distributed to eligible subrecipients, including law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecutors, victim service providers, and community organizations.
• Funded projects implement activities designed to improve responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
• States monitor program performance, compliance, and outcomes.
• Results are used to strengthen statewide systems and improve survivor safety and access to justice.

Why This Program Matters

Violence against women continues to have significant social, economic, public health, and criminal justice impacts. Survivors often require coordinated support involving law enforcement, courts, healthcare providers, legal advocates, and community organizations.

The STOP Formula Grant Program helps states build comprehensive systems that improve victim safety, strengthen accountability for offenders, and increase access to services. By supporting collaboration across multiple sectors, the program promotes more effective responses to violence and creates stronger support networks for survivors and their families.

The program also helps address service gaps affecting underserved populations and encourages innovations that improve justice outcomes and long-term community safety.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to meet statutory eligibility requirements.
• Submitting incomplete certifications or assurances.
• Overlooking matching fund obligations.
• Developing implementation plans that do not align with VAWA priorities.
• Insufficient coordination among criminal justice and victim service partners.
• Weak documentation of statewide needs and service gaps.
• Inadequate strategies for serving underserved populations.
• Failure to demonstrate compliance with federal grant requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the STOP Formula Grant Program?

The program supports statewide efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through improvements in criminal justice systems, victim services, prevention programs, and coordinated community responses.

Who can apply for funding?

Eligible applicants are state governments and designated U.S. territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How much funding is available in Fiscal Year 2026?

The program has an estimated funding allocation of approximately $173.3 million, with around 56 awards expected nationwide.

What types of activities can be funded?

Funding may support law enforcement initiatives, prosecution improvements, court programs, victim services, legal assistance, prevention campaigns, forensic enhancements, training programs, policy reforms, and coordinated response efforts.

What populations does the program prioritize?

The program supports services for diverse and underserved populations, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, Deaf individuals, tribal communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other victims facing barriers to assistance.

Are local organizations eligible to apply directly?

No. Funding is awarded to state governments and territories, which may subsequently distribute funds to local agencies, victim service providers, and community organizations through subgrant processes.

Why is collaboration important under this program?

Collaboration among law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, victim advocates, healthcare providers, and community organizations helps create coordinated responses that improve victim safety, strengthen accountability, and increase access to services.

Conclusion

The Fiscal Year 2026 STOP Formula Grant Program represents a major federal investment in preventing and responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across the United States. With an estimated $173.3 million in funding, the program strengthens criminal justice systems, expands victim services, supports underserved populations, and promotes coordinated statewide responses. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and survivor-centered approaches, the program helps create safer communities and more effective pathways to justice and recovery for victims of violence.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.