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Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Reimbursement Program

 

Contact Us

If you have questions about the Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Reimbursement Program (Tribal Reimbursement Program), you can email us or call 202-307-6026.

The Tribal Reimbursement Program reimburses Tribal governments for expenses incurred in exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) over non-Indians who commit certain "covered crimes" on Tribal lands. The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022) recognized the inherent power of Tribes to exercise STCJ. VAWA 2022 also established a pilot program under which the Attorney General may designate up to five Alaska Tribes per calendar year as participating Tribes to exercise STCJ over all persons present in the Tribe’s village. Learn more about STCJ.

VAWA 2022 authorized this program to reimburse participating Tribes for expenses incurred in exercising STCJ. After consulting with Tribes, OVW issued implementing regulations for the program - Read the implementing regulations.

What Crimes Are Covered by This Program?

VAWA 2022 defines STCJ covered crimes as:

  • Assault of Tribal justice personnel
  • Child violence
  • Dating violence
  • Domestic violence
  • Obstruction of justice
  • Sexual violence
  • Sex trafficking
  • Stalking
  • Violation of a protection order

Who Can Apply?

Tribal governments can seek reimbursement under the Tribal Reimbursement Program if: they are recognized by, and eligible for funding and services from, the Bureau of Indian Affairs by virtue of their status as Indian Tribes; and they exercise STCJ over at least one of the covered crimes during the calendar year eligible for reimbursement.

Tribes are not required to exercise jurisdiction over all covered crimes to be eligible to apply.

Tribes that are in the planning phases prior to implementing STCJ are not eligible for the Tribal Reimbursement Program. 

Tribes that are currently exercising STCJ over any covered crime and are in the planning phase to exercise jurisdiction over additional covered crime(s) are eligible for reimbursement for their STCJ cases, but not for planning costs.

Learn more about OVW's Tribal Jurisdiction Program, which can help with STCJ implementation costs.

How Do I Apply for Reimbursement Under This Program?

When open for applications, OVW will post a notice of reimbursement opportunity (NORO) for this program in Grants.gov and post a notice at the top of this webpage. You can sign up to receive emails when programs are open for applications, including the Tribal Reimbursement Program.

Applicants must complete or maintain registration with multiple systems:

Applicants must follow the instructions in the NORO. The application has a two-step process:

  1. Fulfill the Grants.gov step of the application process by completing the Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF-424) and submitting by the Grants.gov deadline. To view the SF-424 prior to completing it in Grants.gov, navigate to the "Package" tab under the reimbursement opportunity and select "preview," which will provide a link to the SF-424.
  2. Only after successful completion of Step 1, complete JustGrants registration.
  3. Submit the full application for reimbursement, including required attachments, in JustGrants before the JustGrants application deadline listed on the NORO cover page. You can also review the JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training.

Program Resources

You can also watch an OVW webinar discussing the Tribal Reimbursement Program.

Updated August 7, 2026