OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative Solicitation | OVW 2020 17793

Opportunity Information: Apply for OVW 2020 17793

The OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative Solicitation is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), designed to strengthen how courts respond to domestic violence cases. The core idea is that specialized domestic violence courts can provide a more focused, consistent, and effective structure for handling these cases, but many jurisdictions that are starting or refining specialized dockets need practical guidance on what works. OVW has been investing in this kind of field-building since FY 2013 by supporting "mentor court" sites, and this FY 2020 solicitation continues that effort by identifying strong, well-established courts and enabling them to share their methods with jurisdictions that are earlier in development.

The initiative centers on technical assistance rather than direct service expansion. OVW is looking to support established domestic violence courts that can operate as national models and actively help other courts and court-based programs improve their approaches. The mentor role is hands-on and peer-oriented: mentor courts share proven practices, host learning opportunities like site visits, connect court teams with peers dealing with similar challenges, and help developing jurisdictions translate best practices into day-to-day court operations. The intended outcomes are practical and system-focused, with an emphasis on improving victim safety and increasing offender accountability through better-informed court processes and coordinated responses.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this solicitation is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means OVW expects to have substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing the work as it proceeds, compared to a more hands-off formula or block grant. The funding activity category is listed under Law, Justice and Legal Services (with an additional "Other" designation noted in the source text), and the program falls under CFDA number 16.029. The opportunity was created on December 2, 2019, with an original application closing date of February 6, 2020. OVW anticipated making up to four awards, with an award ceiling of $150,000 per award.

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the solicitation indicating that applicants must look to the additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement. In practice, opportunities like this typically target entities positioned to operate as mentor courts, meaning established specialized court programs and their associated governmental or nonprofit administrative structures, but the definitive eligibility requirements would be specified in the full solicitation guidance. Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as an investment in scaling effective court responses to domestic violence by formalizing a network of experienced mentor sites that can guide newer or reforming courts toward consistent, evidence-informed practices.

• The Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in the law, justice and legal services, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative Solicitation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.029.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 02, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 06, 2020. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for OVW 2020 17793

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