OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Electronic Service Protection Order Court Pilot Program

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is offering two grants of up to $1.5 million each to state, territorial, or Tribal courts to develop and implement electronic service methods for protection orders. The goal is to pilot a system that allows courts to serve protection orders via electronic communication (e‑mail, text, or other digital means), improving timeliness and safety for victims. Eligible applicants must be courts (state, territorial, or Tribal) and will be expected to design, test, and evaluate an electronic service workflow, produce technical specifications, and share findings with OVW and other jurisdictions. Funding may cover staff time, technology acquisition, training, and evaluation activities. The award period aligns with the FY 2026 grant cycle, with proposals due by early October 2026. • Funding: total $3 M, two awards up to $1.5 M each. • Eligible applicants: State, territorial, or Tribal courts. • Scope: Design, implement, and evaluate an electronic service protection order pilot. • Deliverables: Technical solution, implementation plan, evaluation report, and best‑practice guidance. • Timeline: Application window 08/19/2026 – 10/06/2026; project execution to follow award.