The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), through its Bureau of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion (BCDHP), is issuing a Request for Grant Application (RFGA) for Sexual Violence Prevention and Education. The goal of this initiative is to address sexual violence in Arizona by shifting cultural norms, policies, and practices that contribute to violence. The focus of this funding is on primary prevention strategies that work to prevent violence before it occurs, rather than after victimization has happened. This approach includes community-based prevention strategies, the promotion of healthy behaviors, and the creation of environments that reduce the likelihood and frequency of violence.

Through this public health approach, the program seeks to change the cultural and societal factors that lead to sexual violence, focusing on strategies that promote healthy relationships, gender equality, and consent education. The program will prioritize preventative action, as opposed to reactive services post-victimization, by intervening before violence occurs. This aligns with the primary prevention model that aims to address the root causes of violence.

The funding amount available for the first year of the grant (through January 31, 2026) is $849,296, with annual funding of approximately the same amount for the next three years. The funding will be distributed to 4-7 organizations annually, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. These funds are intended to support community-driven prevention efforts that target youth, adults, and communities, with a focus on eliminating sexual violence and promoting safer communities in Arizona.

The program encourages applications from local governments, Native American tribes, nonprofits, and state governments that have the capacity to implement sexual violence prevention strategies. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to long-term, community-based prevention and have a systematic plan for education, outreach, and behavior change.