OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking | O OVC 2026 172696

Opportunity Information: Apply for O OVC 2026 172696

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking" (Funding Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2026-172696). The goal of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to develop, expand, and strengthen programs that deliver direct services and support to victims of human trafficking, using the federal definition of human trafficking found at 22 U.S.C. 7102(11). In practical terms, this funding is aimed at helping communities build or enhance coordinated service systems that can identify trafficking victims and provide them with meaningful, victim-centered assistance that improves safety, stability, and access to justice.

This opportunity sits within the "Income Security and Social Services" funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 16.320. It uses a grant as the funding instrument type, meaning recipients will be responsible for carrying out an approved project plan and meeting federal grant management and reporting requirements. OVC expects to make about 27 awards under this NOFO, with an award ceiling of $950,000 per award. While the NOFO excerpt provided does not specify an award floor or the exact project period, the ceiling and anticipated number of awards suggest a competitive national program designed to support substantial service delivery capacity in multiple jurisdictions rather than small, one-off pilots.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). This eligibility structure is typical for OVC victim services programs and is intended to allow both public-sector agencies and community-based organizations, including tribal entities and housing-related authorities, to apply based on where they are positioned to reach trafficking victims and deliver effective services.

Key administrative details include an original application closing date of September 29, 2026, and a posting/creation date of August 20, 2026. The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime. Because this is a discretionary program, applications will be competitively reviewed, and applicants generally need to show a clear plan, demonstrated capacity or partnerships, and measurable outcomes tied to victim service delivery.

At its core, this NOFO is about strengthening the service response to trafficking by funding programs that can meet complex survivor needs. Human trafficking victims often require multiple forms of assistance delivered in a coordinated way, such as crisis intervention, emergency and transitional housing support, safety planning, case management, medical and behavioral health referrals, legal services and court accompaniment, transportation, interpretation, workforce and benefits navigation, and other wraparound supports that reduce barriers to stability. Programs funded under this type of OVC initiative also commonly emphasize trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches, culturally and linguistically responsive services, and strong partnerships among victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, and community organizations so that victims can access help without being retraumatized or pushed into services that do not fit their needs.

In summary, OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking is a competitive federal grant opportunity designed to expand and improve direct victim services for trafficking survivors across a range of eligible public and nonprofit applicants. It plans to issue roughly 27 awards of up to $950,000 each, with applications due by September 29, 2026, and it focuses on building stronger, more comprehensive service programs aligned with the federal definition of trafficking in 22 U.S.C. 7102(11).

• The Office for Victims of Crime in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVC FY 2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.320.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $950,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 27 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for O OVC 2026 172696

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