The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Sexual Assault Services Program grant. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women and aims to provide financial support to states for the benefit of rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, or tribal programs that offer direct intervention and assistance to victims of sexual assault. The grant is available to organizations across all counties in Indiana, with funding amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The grant period will last for one year, from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

The primary purpose of the Sexual Assault Services Program is to assist victims of sexual assault, including adults, youth, and children, as well as their family members and others affected by the victimization. The program emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support services, which may include crisis intervention, advocacy, and information referral. The funding is intended to establish, maintain, and expand services that directly assist individuals who have experienced sexual assault, ensuring that these services are accessible regardless of the victim's age.

Eligible applicants for this grant include a variety of organizations that have a proven track record of effectively serving victims of sexual assault. This includes rape crisis centers, dual programs that address both sexual assault and domestic violence, faith-based organizations with trained staff, and other public or nonprofit agencies such as mental health or counseling centers. It is important to note that governmental entities applying for the grant must not be part of the criminal justice system and must provide a level of confidentiality comparable to that of nonprofit organizations.

The Sexual Assault Services Program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning that grantees will be reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred while providing services. Applicants must ensure that they protect the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals they serve and comply with all requirements outlined in the request for proposal. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute has approximately $1,200,000 available for this grant cycle, with an estimated 10 to 16 grants to be awarded.

Submission requirements for the grant application will be detailed in the request for proposal, which can be accessed through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's website. Applicants should prepare to answer specific questions related to their organization's capacity to provide services, their experience with sexual assault victims, and their plans for utilizing the grant funds effectively.

Evaluation criteria for the applications will focus on the applicant's demonstrated ability to provide effective services to sexual assault victims, the clarity and feasibility of their proposed project, and their commitment to maintaining confidentiality and privacy for those they serve.

The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2024. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the grant details and prepare their applications in advance of this deadline to ensure they meet all necessary requirements. For further information, applicants can contact the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute via email or phone.