Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
The Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program, administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) within the U.S. Department of Justice, provides approximately $49.1 million in formula-based funding to support sexual assault victim services across the United States and its territories. The program funds rape crisis centers, Tribal programs, and nonprofit organizations that provide intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, crisis support, hotline services, and other victim-centered assistance for survivors of sexual assault.
Program Overview
The Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (SASP) is a federal funding initiative designed to ensure that victims of sexual assault have access to comprehensive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered services.
Authorized under 34 U.S.C. ยง 12511, the program provides funding to states and territories, which then distribute funds to rape crisis centers, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal programs that directly serve survivors of sexual assault.
The program supports services for:
- Adult victims of sexual assault
- Youth victims
- Child victims
- Family members affected by victimization
- Household members affected by victimization
- Other individuals impacted by sexual violence
The program prioritizes direct services that help survivors access safety, support, advocacy, and recovery resources.
Funding Information
- Total estimated funding available: $49.1 million
- Expected number of awards: 56
- Award range: Approximately $128,000 to $1.6 million
- Funding mechanism: Formula-based allocation
- Cost-sharing requirement: None
- Matching contribution requirement: None
Funding amounts vary according to statutory allocation formulas established under federal law.
Program Objectives
The program seeks to:
- Strengthen services for sexual assault survivors
- Expand access to rape crisis services
- Improve victim advocacy and support systems
- Enhance survivor safety and recovery
- Increase access to services in rural, remote, and Tribal communities
- Strengthen community-based victim support programs
- Improve coordination among service providers
- Support trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches
- Expand access to culturally responsive services
The program is intended to ensure that survivors receive timely and comprehensive assistance regardless of where they live.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support a wide range of direct victim services and assistance activities.
Eligible activities include:
- 24-hour sexual assault crisis hotlines
- Crisis intervention services
- Medical accompaniment and advocacy
- Criminal justice system advocacy
- Social service system advocacy
- Individual support services
- Group support services
- Case management and service coordination
- Survivor accompaniment services
- Direct assistance payments
- Program supervision and oversight
- Community outreach and engagement
- Victim-centered support initiatives
All funded activities must directly benefit survivors of sexual assault and individuals affected by the victimization.
Support for Rape Crisis Centers and Community Programs
A primary goal of the program is to establish, maintain, and expand:
- Rape crisis centers
- Nonprofit nongovernmental victim service organizations
- Tribal victim service programs
- Community-based sexual assault support services
These organizations play a critical role in providing immediate assistance and long-term support to survivors.
Rural, Remote, and Tribal Community Focus
The program places particular emphasis on improving services in:
- Small towns
- Rural communities
- Remote regions
- Tribal communities
These areas often face barriers such as limited service availability, geographic isolation, and reduced access to specialized support.
Funding helps ensure that survivors in underserved communities can access essential services and advocacy.
Human Trafficking and Related Victim Services
The program also supports activities that assist victims impacted by:
- Human trafficking
- Transnational criminal activity
- Exploitation connected to organized criminal networks
- Other forms of sexual victimization linked to criminal enterprises
Service providers may use funding to address the unique needs of survivors affected by these forms of victimization.
How Funding Is Distributed
Funding is allocated using a statutory formula established by federal law.
The allocation process includes:
- Guaranteed minimum funding percentages for states and territories
- Population-based distribution of remaining funds
- Formula calculations determined by federal appropriations
States and territories receive funding directly and are responsible for administering grant distributions.
Subgrant Requirements
States and territories may use up to 5% of their award for administrative purposes.
The remaining funding must be distributed through subgrants to:
- Rape crisis centers
- Nonprofit nongovernmental organizations
- Tribal programs
- Other eligible victim service providers
Subgrant recipients must provide direct intervention and related assistance to sexual assault survivors.
Rape Survivor Child Custody Act (RSCCA) Supplemental Funding
Additional funding opportunities may be available through the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act (RSCCA).
States and territories may qualify for supplemental funding if they have laws that:
- Allow termination of parental rights of rapists
- Meet federal legal standards
- Satisfy program eligibility requirements
Supplemental awards are subject to federal review and eligibility determinations.
Who Is Eligible?
Direct applicants for this funding opportunity are:
- State governments
- U.S. territories
Although only states and territories may apply directly, funding ultimately supports:
- Rape crisis centers
- Nonprofit victim service organizations
- Tribal victim service programs
- Community-based support organizations
These organizations typically receive funding through state-administered subgrants.
Why This Program Matters
Sexual assault survivors often require immediate and long-term support services to address the physical, emotional, legal, and social impacts of victimization.
This program is important because it:
- Expands access to survivor services
- Strengthens rape crisis centers
- Supports trauma-informed care
- Increases advocacy resources
- Improves service availability in underserved communities
- Enhances victim safety and recovery
- Supports culturally responsive services
- Strengthens community response systems
By investing in victim-centered services, the program helps survivors navigate recovery and access critical support systems.
How to Apply
State governments and territories should:
- Review all eligibility and program requirements.
- Confirm compliance with federal grant conditions.
- Develop plans for statewide fund distribution.
- Establish subgrant processes for eligible service providers.
- Allocate administrative funding within allowable limits.
- Submit required application materials through the designated federal grants system.
- Prepare procedures for monitoring and reporting subgrant activities.
Applicants should demonstrate their ability to effectively administer funds and support direct victim services across their jurisdictions.
Tips for a Strong Application
Competitive applications typically:
- Demonstrate strong grant administration capacity
- Present clear plans for fund distribution
- Show commitment to victim-centered services
- Prioritize underserved communities
- Include strong oversight and monitoring processes
- Demonstrate compliance with federal requirements
- Support collaboration with victim service providers
Applications should clearly describe how funding will improve services for sexual assault survivors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common application challenges include:
- Incomplete administrative planning
- Weak subgrant management procedures
- Insufficient oversight mechanisms
- Lack of focus on underserved populations
- Failure to address federal compliance requirements
- Limited coordination with victim service providers
- Inadequate reporting and accountability processes
Applicants should ensure that all statutory and program requirements are fully addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total funding available under the program?
Approximately $49.1 million is available through the Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program.
Who can apply directly for funding?
Only state governments and U.S. territories are eligible to apply directly.
Are matching funds required?
No. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions.
What organizations ultimately receive funding?
Funding is distributed through subgrants to rape crisis centers, nonprofit victim service organizations, and Tribal programs that provide direct services to survivors.
Can funds be used for hotline services?
Yes. Twenty-four-hour hotline services are an eligible and important use of funding.
How much funding can states use for administration?
States and territories may use up to 5% of their allocation for administrative expenses.
What is the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act supplemental funding opportunity?
The RSCCA provides additional funding to states and territories that have qualifying laws allowing the termination of parental rights of rapists under specified legal standards.
Conclusion
The Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program provides critical federal funding to strengthen services for sexual assault survivors across the United States and its territories. With approximately $49.1 million available, the program supports rape crisis centers, Tribal programs, and community-based organizations that deliver essential advocacy, intervention, accompaniment, crisis response, and recovery services. By expanding access to survivor-centered support, particularly in rural, remote, and Tribal communities, the program plays a vital role in promoting safety, healing, and long-term recovery for victims of sexual assault.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.