Calendar Year 2025 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Reimbursement Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for federally recognized tribes exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over covered crimes in Indian country. Eligible applicants must be Tribal governments authorized to exercise STCJ under 25 U.S.C. § 1304 or participating in the Alaska Native Village pilot program under 25 U.S.C. § 1305(d).
Covered crimes include assault of tribal justice personnel, child abuse, dating violence, sexual violence, domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sex trafficking, stalking, and protection order violations. Funding reimburses actual expenses incurred in exercising this jurisdiction.
Federally recognized tribes not yet exercising STCJ, or those pursuing expansion to new crimes, should verify their eligibility status with OVW before applying. Alaska Native Villages must be part of the DOJ pilot program.
This grant is for federally recognized tribes exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over covered crimes in Indian country. Eligible applicants must be Tribal governments authorized to exercise STCJ under 25 U.S.C. § 1304 or participating in the Alaska Native Village pilot program under 25 U.S.C. § 1305(d).
Covered crimes include assault of tribal justice personnel, child abuse, dating violence, sexual violence, domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sex trafficking, stalking, and protection order violations. Funding reimburses actual expenses incurred in exercising this jurisdiction.
Federally recognized tribes not yet exercising STCJ, or those pursuing expansion to new crimes, should verify their eligibility status with OVW before applying. Alaska Native Villages must be part of the DOJ pilot program.
Program description
This program reimburses Tribal governments for expenses incurred in exercising “Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction” (STCJ) over non-Indians who commit certain covered crimes (assault of Tribal justice personnel; child, dating, sexual and/or domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sex trafficking; stalking; and protection order violations) in Indian country pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 1304 (or in Alaska Native Villages pursuant to a DOJ pilot program established by 25 U.S.C. § 1305(d)).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for federally recognized tribes exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over covered crimes in Indian country. Eligible applicants must be Tribal governments authorized to exercise STCJ under 25 U.S.C. § 1304 or participating in the Alaska Native Village pilot program under 25 U.S.C. § 1305(d).
Covered crimes include assault of tribal justice personnel, child abuse, dating violence, sexual violence, domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sex trafficking, stalking, and protection order violations. Funding reimburses actual expenses incurred in exercising this jurisdiction.
Federally recognized tribes not yet exercising STCJ, or those pursuing expansion to new crimes, should verify their eligibility status with OVW before applying. Alaska Native Villages must be part of the DOJ pilot program.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Narrative describing STCJ activities and expenses
- Itemized budget with expense documentation
- Proof of federally recognized status
- STCJ authorization documentation or certification from tribal court
Program contact
- 👤 Office on Violence Against Women
- 📧 OVW.TribalJurisdiction@usdoj.gov
- 📞 0000000000
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 16.059 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 16.059). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 est. | $559,824 | |
| 2025 est. | $4,400,000 |
FAQ
Which tribes are eligible for this grant?
Federally recognized tribes exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over covered crimes under federal law. Alaska Native Villages may be eligible if participating in the DOJ pilot program.
What expenses can be reimbursed?
Costs incurred in exercising STCJ jurisdiction over covered crimes. This includes personnel, training, and operational expenses related to criminal jurisdiction functions.
What are the covered crimes?
Assault of tribal justice personnel, child/dating/sexual/domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sex trafficking, stalking, and protection order violations.
What is the deadline and award range?
The deadline is July 7, 2026. Award amounts range from $1 to $4,400,000 depending on tribe needs and available funding.
Can we reapply if denied?
Yes, rejected applicants may reapply in future funding cycles. OVW recommends contacting the office to discuss any concerns before resubmitting.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document all expenses carefully with receipts and timesheets. Reimbursement grants require detailed financial records showing actual costs incurred.
- Start by assessing your tribe's current STCJ capacity and gaps. Identify which covered crimes you exercise jurisdiction over and where additional resources are needed.
- Coordinate with your tribal prosecutor's office and justice system partners. Their input strengthens your application and ensures alignment with operational needs.
- Build a realistic budget tied to specific activities. Vague or inflated budgets are common rejection reasons for reimbursement programs.
- Contact OVW early with questions about eligibility, STCJ status, or application expectations. The office welcomes pre-application consultation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Inadequate documentation of actual expenses or lack of receipts/records. Unclear connection between requested reimbursement and specific STCJ-related activities. Failure to verify tribe's eligibility or current STCJ authorization status before applying.
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