Award Period:

The award period for the current grant cycle is from January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027.

Programs should begin on January 1, 2027, and must be in operation no later than sixty (60) days after this date. Failure to have the funded program operational within sixty (60) days from January 1, 2027, will result in the cancellation of the grant and the de-obligation of all awarded funds.

All programs must conclude and all funding obligations must be made no later than December 31, 2027. All outstanding expenses must be paid, and the final expense report must be submitted via Euna Grants powered by Amplifund, within thirty (30) days of December 31, 2027. Proof of payment for all expenses must be provided with the report. Any expenses that have not been paid within thirty (30) days after December 31, 2027, will not be reimbursed. Late reports will not be accepted.

Priority Areas:

States and territories are encouraged to develop and support programs, to the extent consistent with the authorizing statute, that substantively address one or more of the priorities listed below:

1. Measures to combat human trafficking and transnational crime, particularly crimes linked to illegal immigration and cartel operations, that support safety and justice for trafficking victims who have also suffered sexual assault.
2. Projects to provide victim services, especially housing, and improve law enforcement response in rural and remote areas, Tribal nations, and small towns that often lack resources to effectively combat sexual assault.

Purpose Areas:

Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 12511 (a) (1), funds under this program must be used to provide intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance to:

1. Adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault;
2. Family and household members of such victims; and
3. Those collaterally affected by the victimization, except for the perpetrator of such victimization.

Funds under this program must be used to support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of rape crisis centers and other nongovernmental or tribal programs and projects to assist individuals who have been victimized by sexual assault, without regard to the age of the individual. Intervention and related assistance may include:

• 24-hour hotline services providing crisis intervention services and referral.
• Accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings;
• Crisis intervention, short-term individual and group support services, direct payments, and comprehensive service coordination and supervision to assist sexual assault victims and family or household members;
• Information and referral to assist sexual assault victims and family or household members;
• Community-based, culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities; and
• Development and distribution of materials on issues related to the services described above.

In cases when victims of domestic violence or human trafficking disclose a history of sexual assault, including by a current or former intimate partner, services may be provided with SASP funding to the extent that such victim expresses a need for services related to the sexual assault.

Allowable Activities and Costs

See "Purpose Areas" tab.

The activities and associated costs for the activities below are allowable.

• 24-hour hotline services providing crisis intervention services and referral;
• Accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings;
• Crisis intervention, short-term individual and group support services, direct payments, and comprehensive service coordination and supervision to assist sexual assault victims and family or household members;
• Information and referral to assist sexual assault victims and family or household members;
• Community-based, culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities; and
• Development and distribution of materials on issues related to the services described above.
• If an applicant is requesting reimbursement for equipment or supplies, the applicant shall reveal in the budget narrative whether they are purchasing, renting, or leasing all listed and proposed equipment or supplies. The applicant shall comply with 2 CFR 200.216 when renting, purchasing, or leasing any telecommunications, video surveillance systems and service, or equipment. The applicant shall comply with 2 CFR 200.465 regarding the lease and/or rental of real property and equipment.

Direct payments to victims and their family or household members must be for costs related to the sexual assault. The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) encourages payments to be paid to vendors directly. Examples of costs that direct payments may cover include, but are not limited to:

• Replacement bedding, clothing, or other household items;
• Securing new or temporary housing, including paying a security deposit, first month’s rent, or moving expenses;
• Travel expenses;
• Childcare expenses;
• Emergency food, including culturally appropriate food;
• Utility assistance (other than utilities in arrears); and
• Security measures such as re-keying locks, replacing a cell phone, or purchasing a motion detector or security camera that does not require installation (see funding restrictions on minor renovations).

Indirect Costs:

According to 2 CFR Part 200.1, indirect cost is defined as “those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefited, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.”

Indirect costs are costs of an organization that are not readily assignable to a particular project but are necessary to the operation of the organization and the performance of the project. Indirect costs are those that benefit more than one activity and are common or joint purpose costs.

Requesting Indirect Costs: Requesting indirect costs is optional. Applicants do not have to request indirect costs, but it is allowable. To calculate indirect costs, applicants must first determine the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) amount of the project budget. Indirect costs that can be requested are not based on the entire project budget but on the MTDC amount.

Applicants have two options when requesting indirect costs: using a formal Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (ICRA) or using a de minimis rate. These two options are outlined below.

1. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (ICRA)
   • This is a formal rate agreement that an organization has applied for and received from their cognizant federal agency (ICJI does not approve ICRAs).
   • Organizations will have a letter or other documentation that lists the federally negotiated rate.
   • The rate in the ICRA must be accepted, unless otherwise specified by the federal awarding agency.
   • Applicants can request the percentage (as outlined in the ICRA) of the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) of their budget for indirect costs.
2. De Minimis Rate
   • This can be used by organizations that have never had a federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
   • Organizations can use a rate of up to 15% of the MTDC of their budget for indirect costs.
   • If an applicant elects to use the de minimis rate of 15% of the MTDC, then it must provide a list of indirect costs and the calculation used to determine the amount charged.

If an applicant elects to include indirect costs in their proposed grant budget, this intent must be included in the Budget Narrative form of the application. In addition, if the applicant has an ICRA, the approved agreement must be uploaded in the “Attachment Form” section of the application. If an applicant requests to utilize a de minimis rate, then an attachment must be uploaded in Euna Grants powered by AmpliFund indicating how the indirect costs were calculated and the costs assigned as indirect. For more information related to indirect costs, please refer to the DOJ Grants Financial Guide.

Contractors and Consultants:

When a grant recipient contracts for work or services, the following is required:

1. All contractual services must be obtained through a procurement method. Verification of this method must be supplied upon completion of contract.
2. All consultant and contractual services shall be supported by written contracts signed by all parties stating the services to be performed, rate of compensation, and length of time over which the services will be provided.
3. A copy of all written contracts for contractual or consultant services shall be attached in Euna Grants powered by AmpliFund to the grant file upon their ratification.
4. Payments shall be supported by statements outlining the services rendered, date of service, and cost of service.

Any consultant costs exceeding the allowable rate (maximum of $81.25 per hour or $650 per day) will be denied.

Administrative Costs:

Administrative costs are an allowable expense but are limited to 10% of the total grant funded budget. Administrative costs include:

1. Time used to complete SASP-required time and attendance sheets, programmatic documentation, reports, and required statistics; and,
2. Administrative time used to collect and maintain satisfaction surveys and needs assessments used to improve service delivery within the SASP-funded project.

Travel Costs:

Travel costs are limited to direct service travel or in-state travel for SASP-funded personnel attending training related to their SASP duties. Expenses and reimbursements for travel must follow the most current Indiana Department of Administration State Travel Policy or the subrecipient’s travel policy, whichever is more restrictive. Learn more.

Program Costs:

In order to be eligible for reimbursement, program costs must meet the following criteria:

1. Costs must be necessary and reasonable for the stated purpose of the grant.
2. Costs must be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Learn more.
3. Costs must conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and the SASP Grant Program Requirements.
4. Costs must be consistent with policies and procedures of the SASP grant program and applied uniformly.
5. Costs must be adequately documented with supporting materials including receipts, invoices, timesheets, paystubs, etc. ICJI’s supporting documentation policy can be found here.

Match Requirement:

There is no match requirement imposed on grant funds under this program.

Unallowable Activities and Costs:

Grant funds under this program may not be used for the following:

• Education and prevention activities.
• Trainings on sexual assault for other professionals or the development of training curricula.
• Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) Coordination.
• Activities that are conducted by or inherent to the criminal justice system such as sexual assault nurse/forensic examiner programs, law enforcement investigation, and/or prosecution of sex crimes.

SASP does not fund activities that jeopardize victim safety, deter or prevent physical or emotional healing for victims, or allow offenders to escape responsibility for their actions. The following activities have been found to jeopardize victim safety, deter or prevent physical or emotional healing for victims, or allow offenders to escape responsibility for their actions. In planning a SASP proposal, please ensure that these activities are not included:

• Procedures or policies that exclude eligible victims from receiving services based on the classifications identified in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(13)(A) or their actual or perceived mental or physical health condition, criminal record, employment history or status, income or lack of income, or the age and/or sex of their children.
• Procedures or policies that compromise the confidentiality of information and/or privacy of victims.
• Procedures or policies that require victims to take certain actions (e.g., seek an order of protection; receive counseling; participate in counseling, mediation, or restorative justice/circle processes; report to law enforcement or other authorities; seek civil or criminal remedies) or penalize them for failing to do so.
• Procedures or policies that fail to include conducting safety planning with victims.
• Project designs, products, services, and/or budgets that fail to account for the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, with limited English proficiency, or who are Deaf or hard of hearing, including accessibility for such individuals.
• Using technology without addressing implications for victim confidentiality, safety planning, and the need for informed consent.
• Partnering with individuals or organizations that support/promote practices that compromise victim safety and recovery or undermine offender accountability.
• Materials that are not tailored to the dynamics of sexual assault or to the specific population(s) to be addressed by the project.
• Policies that deny individuals access to services based on their relationship to the perpetrator.

Note: Recipients and subrecipients should serve all eligible victims as required by statute, regulation, or award condition.

Grant funds under this program may not be used for the following:

• Lobbying, except with explicit statutory authorization.
• Fundraising (including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions) and time spent procuring funding including completing federal and state funding applications.
• Purchase of real property.
• Physical modifications to buildings, including minor renovations (such as painting or carpeting).
• Construction.
• Purchase of vehicles.
• Direct financial assistance to a client such as cash, gift cards, or checks.
• Alcohol, food (except emergency food for victims), and entertainment costs.

The following activity requires prior approval:

• Surveys: Recipients must receive prior approval before using grant funds to support surveys, regardless of their purpose.

Out-of-Scope Activities:

The activities listed below are out of the program scope and will not be supported by this program’s funding. Applicants must certify that grant funds will not be used for the out-of-scope activities listed, except for those stayed by order of the court in Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, et al., v. Pamela Bondi, et al. The stayed out-of-scope activities are listed as numbers 2-5, 7-9, and 11. These terms are not enforceable as to this SASP 2027 award unless and until the preliminary stay is lifted.

1. Research projects. Funds under this program may not be used to conduct research, defined in 28 CFR § 46.102(d) as a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. However, assessments conducted for quality assurance and internal improvement purposes only may be allowable. Examples of assessments include surveying training participants about the quality of training content and delivery or convening a listening session to identify service gaps in the community.
2. Promoting or facilitating the violation of federal immigration law.
3. Inculcating or promoting gender ideology as defined in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
4. Promoting or facilitating discriminatory programs or ideology, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” programs that do not advance the policy of equal dignity and respect, as described in Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. This prohibition is not intended to interfere with any of OVW’s statutory obligations, such as funding for HBCUs, culturally specific services, and disability programs.
5. Activities that frame domestic violence or sexual assault as systemic social justice issues rather than criminal offenses (e.g., prioritizing criminal justice reform or social justice theories over victim safety and offender accountability).
6. Generic community engagement or economic development without a clear link to violence prevention, victim safety, or offender accountability.
7. Programs that discourage collaboration with law enforcement or oppose or limit the role of police, prosecutors, or immigration enforcement in addressing violence against women.
8. Awareness campaigns or media that do not lead to tangible improvements in prevention, victim safety, or offender accountability.
9. Initiatives that prioritize illegal aliens over U.S. citizens and legal residents in receiving victim services and support.
10. Excessive funding for consulting fees, training, administrative costs, or other expenses not related to measurable violence prevention, victim support, and offender accountability.
11. Any activity or program that unlawfully violates a federal Executive Order.
12. Activities addressing human trafficking unrelated to sexual assault.
13. Activities addressing Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) unrelated to sexual assault.
14. Activities focused on prevention efforts and public education (e.g., bystander intervention, social norms campaigns, presentations on healthy relationships, etc.).
15. Criminal justice-related projects, including law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and forensic interviews.
16. Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examiner programs.
17. Sexual Assault Response Team coordination.
18. Providing training to allied professionals and the community (e.g., law enforcement, child protection services, prosecution, other community-based organizations, etc.).
19. Domestic violence services unrelated to sexual violence.
20. Legal services.

Supplanting:

Federal funds must be used to supplement existing funds for program activities and cannot replace or supplant non-federal funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. Supplanting occurs when a state, local, or tribal government reduces state, local, or tribal funds for an activity specifically because federal funds are available (or expected to be available) to fund that same activity.

Additional Resources:

• Preventing Sexual Assault in Disasters
• Working with Teen Survivors of Sexual Assault
• Holistic Healing for Survivors
• Holistic Healing Research Addendum
• SASP Sample Reporting Form