The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is established under Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The S.T.O.P. (Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program authorizes financial assistance to states for developing and strengthening effective law enforcement, prosecution, court, and victim services projects in cases primarily involving violent crimes against adult women. Applicants are required to provide a 25 percent cash match, or 30 percent in-kind match to the federal awards. Non-profit victim services organizations and tribal entities and organizations are exempt from match requirements.

VAWA grants have few program or funding restrictions for grants once they meet the basic federal program criteria. However, VAWA program funds must be used for grant programs exclusively designed for, or focused on, services or projects for persons at or over the age of majority. To learn more about the VAWA grant program, please click the Application Guidelines and Procedures link below. Please note that VAWA funds cannot be used for firearms, or the purchase or lease of vehicles.