Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus (16.525)
Program
16.525 Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorization
Title VIII, Part E, of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, 20 U.S.C. 1152; as amended; Violence Against Women Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386.
Program Number
16.525
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To encourage institutions of higher education to adopt comprehensive, coordinated responses to violence against women, including sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence. Funds are authorized to enhance the apprehension, investigation, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women on campuses; train campus administrators, security personnel, and disciplinary or judicial boards to effectively identify and respond to violent crimes against women on campuses; implement and operate education programs for the prevention of violent crimes against women on campuses; develop, enlarge or strengthen support services for victims; create, disseminate, or otherwise provide assistance and information about victims' options on and off campus to bring disciplinary or other legal action; develop and implement more effective campus policies, protocols, orders, and services specifically devoted to prevent, identify, and respond to violent crimes against women on campuses; develop, install, or expand data collection and communication systems, including computerized systems, linking campus security to the local law enforcement for the purpose of identifying and tracking arrests, protection orders, violations of protection orders, prosecutions, and convictions; develop, enlarge or strengthen victim service programs for the campus and to improve the delivery of victim services on campus; provide capital improvements (including improved lighting and communication facilities but excluding construction of buildings) on campuses to address violent crimes against women; and to support improved coordination among campus administrators, campus security personnel, and local law enforcement to reduce violent crimes against women on campuses.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Discretionary).
Uses and Use Restrictions
This discretionary grant program is intended to assist institutions of higher education to develop comprehensive, multidisciplinary responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses. An institution of higher education shall not be entitled to funds under this program unless it is in compliance with the campus crime reporting requirements set forth in 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f) as amended by Public Law 105-244, 112 Stat. 1581, Sec. 486 (e)(1998).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Institutions of higher education as defined under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 that are in compliance with the campus crime reporting requirements set forth in 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f) as amended by Public Law 105-244, 112 Stat. 1581, Sec. 486 (e) (1998). A consortia of institutions of higher education may also apply for these grants provided that each individual consortium member is also eligible to apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Institutions of higher education.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, and OMB Circular No. A-110 for Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Application forms furnished by the Federal agency, in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule) must be used for this program.
Application Procedure
Applicants must apply through the on-line OJP Grants Management System (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps). The receipt, review, and analysis of applications will follow Office of Justice Programs policies and procedures for the administration of grant applications. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Upon approval by the Office of Justice Programs, a letter is sent to the applicant agency with copies of the Grant Award. One copy of the Grant Award must be signed by an authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs.
Deadlines
Contact the Violence Against Women Office in the Office of Justice Programs for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Renewals are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Grants will be made for amounts up to 100 percent of the costs of the programs or projects contained in the approved applications. Matching is not required for this grant program; however, applicants are encouraged to maximize the impact of Federal grant dollars by contributing to the costs of their projects. Supplemental contributions may be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Up to 24 months. Funds are released on an as needed basis to the grantee.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Each grantee receiving funds under this Subpart shall submit semi-annual progress reports. Upon completion of the grant period, the institution shall file a performance report explaining the activities carried out and including an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the program. In addition, grantee must provide the Violence Against Women Office annual statistics on the numbers of victims served, gender, ethnicity, relationship to offender, type of victimization, language, disability, and the number of victims seeking services who were turned away for services.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
The award recipient must keep complete records on disposition of funds.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2001, grants were awarded on September 30, 2001.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $10,131,907; FY 03 est $11,791,426; and FY 04 est $10,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$143,000 to $550,000; $360,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
OJP Financial Guide is applicable.
Related Programs
16.588, Violence Against Women Formula Grants; 16.589, Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant Program; 16.590, Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders; 16.587, Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 307-6026.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Howard University in Washington, D.C. will use these funds to create a sexual assault and domestic violence community task force, which includes representatives from campus and community organizations, including the Third District of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and victim services agencies. Michigan State University will educate resident assistants, incoming students, sorority and fraternity members, athletes and university staff about violence against women and consequences for offenders. Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee will use its grant to conduct training for student health center doctors and nurses and Vanderbilt Medical Center emergency room staff on responding to domestic violence. Idaho State University will institute an education program for athletes and improve safety on campus by installing blue emergency telephones and enhanced lighting.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are established by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and published program guidelines.
