$10.5M Available for Disability Services

The Office on Violence Against Women has opened $10.5 million in federal funding to improve services for individuals with disabilities and Deaf people affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and abuse by caregivers.

The FY2026 Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program, commonly called the Disability Grant Program, is expected to make approximately 18 awards of up to $600,000 each.

Projects may support training, advocacy, intervention, accessibility improvements, facility modifications, and direct services. However, every applicant must have the required cross-sector partnership in place.

Grant Breakdown

FY2026 Disability Grant Program

Funding Agency: Office on Violence Against Women

Total Funding Available: $10.5 million

Anticipated Number of Awards: 18

Maximum Award: Up to $600,000

Award Period: 36 months

Expected Project Start: October 1, 2026

Match Requirement: No cost sharing or matching funds required

Funding Opportunity Number: O-OVW-2026-172670

Assistance Listing: 16.529

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments

• Units of local government

• Federally recognized Tribal governments

• Tribal organizations

• Qualified victim-service providers with 501(c)(3) status

• Tribal nonprofit organizations

• Nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving individuals with disabilities and Deaf people

• Faith-based organizations that satisfy the program’s eligibility requirements

All nonprofit applicants must have and maintain recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status during the award period.

Geographic Requirements

This is a national federal competition, but the proposed project cannot operate as a national or multi-state initiative.

Each application must propose work at one of the following levels:

• State

• Tribal

• Multi-county

• Local

Applicants must identify the geographic area the project will serve and explain why the proposed services are needed in that community.

Required Partnership

Every application must include both:

1. A qualified victim-service provider or Tribal organization serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking

2. A nonprofit, nongovernmental organization serving individuals with disabilities and/or Deaf people

The lead applicant may fulfill one of these roles, but it cannot fulfill both.

The partnership must be described in the proposal narrative and documented through a memorandum of understanding.

An application that does not include both required areas of expertise may be removed from consideration.

What the Program Supports

Funding may support projects that:

• Provide training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction, and prevention services

• Conduct outreach so survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors can access appropriate assistance

• Cross-train victim-service organizations, courts, law enforcement agencies, first responders, government agencies, and disability-serving organizations

• Modify policies, protocols, and procedures to improve equal access to victim services

• Train shelters and victim-service providers on federal disability and anti-discrimination requirements

• Modify facilities, purchase equipment, or provide personnel needed to improve accessibility

• Provide advocacy and intervention services directly to survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors

• Develop model programs that strengthen the capacity of organizations serving these populations

Applicants proposing facility modifications or equipment purchases must also address at least one additional authorized program purpose. Minor renovation costs may not exceed 10% of the proposed budget.

Designing the Project

Applicants must identify one or two disability types and at least one covered crime area as the focus of the project.

Covered crime areas include:

• Domestic violence

• Dating violence

• Sexual assault

• Stalking

• Abuse by caregivers against individuals with disabilities

The proposal should explain how the project will improve safety, access, services, policies, coordination, or organizational capacity for the population identified.

Accessibility cannot be treated as an attachment added after the program has already been designed. It should shape the project’s outreach, communication, facilities, services, policies, staffing, and evaluation from the beginning.

Funding Priorities

OVW may give priority consideration to qualifying projects that support:

• Direct victim services

• Criminal justice responses

• Small towns

• Rural and remote communities

• Tribal communities

• Victims affected by human trafficking who have also experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking

Addressing a priority may strengthen an application, but it does not guarantee an award.

Application Requirements

Required application materials include:

• SF-424 submitted through Grants.gov

• Standard applicant information submitted through JustGrants

• Pre-award risk assessment

• Proposal abstract

• Proposal narrative

• Detailed budget

• Memorandum of understanding

• Certification regarding out-of-scope activities

• Summary data sheet

• Confidentiality notice form

• Proof of 501(c)(3) status, when applicable

• Other required certifications and financial documents

The proposal narrative may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages and must use the official narrative template or headings corresponding to OVW’s required sections.

Applicants should also review the closed FY2025 Disability Grant Program NOFO for examples of activities OVW has previously identified as outside the program’s scope. Because a related certification requirement is subject to litigation, applicants should review the current notice on OVW’s funding opportunities page before submitting.

Application Deadlines

This application requires submissions through two separate federal systems.

Grants.gov deadline: September 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

JustGrants deadline: September 29, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Organizations without active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations should understand that federal registration can take time. OVW recommends beginning registration or renewal at least 30 days before the deadlines.

Review the complete FY2026 Disability Grant Program NOFO and the available pre-application information session.

Ty’s Readiness Note

This grant requires more than a disability-services organization and a victim-service provider agreeing to put their names on the same application.

The partnership must be capable of designing and implementing accessible, survivor-centered services together.

Before applying, the organizations should be able to answer:

• Which partner brings expertise in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking?

• Which partner brings expertise in serving individuals with disabilities or Deaf people?

• How will responsibilities and funding be divided?

• What policies, services, facilities, or practices need to change?

• How will survivors participate safely and meaningfully?

• How will the project measure improvements in access, safety, and service quality?

• Can the lead organization manage a three-year federal award?

If the partnership is being created only because the grant requires one, the organizations are not ready to submit a competitive application this cycle.

The MOU should document a functioning relationship, not introduce the partners to one another on paper.

Is your organization structurally prepared to pursue and manage federal funding?

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