2026 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking (United States)

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

The Services for Victims of Human Trafficking funding opportunity, administered by the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), supports organizations working to develop, expand, and strengthen comprehensive services for people who have experienced human trafficking. The program provides funding to improve victim identification, assistance, advocacy, recovery, and coordination among service providers. With an estimated $22,315,250 in total funding and an award ceiling of $950,000 per recipient, the opportunity is intended to strengthen survivor-centered programs and expand access to essential services for trafficking victims. Overview of the Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Opportunity The Services for Victims of Human Trafficking opportunity is designed to strengthen the capacity of organizations and public agencies that provide direct or coordinated services to victims of human trafficking. The program addresses human trafficking as defined under 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11) and focuses on improving the systems available to survivors after trafficking occurs.

Funded projects may help organizations:

Develop new victim service programs. Expand existing services for trafficking survivors. Strengthen the quality and reach of current programs. Improve victim identification and referral systems. Build organizational capacity to respond to survivors’ needs. Why the Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Program Matters Human trafficking can result in significant physical, psychological, social, and economic harm. Survivors may face barriers to housing, healthcare, legal assistance, employment, education, and other essential services. A coordinated victim service system can help survivors access the assistance they need while supporting longer-term recovery and independence. The program is particularly important because effective trafficking response often requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including: Victim service organizations Government agencies Law enforcement agencies Healthcare providers Legal service providers Housing organizations Community-based organizations Educational institutions Survivor and advocacy organizations By supporting the development and expansion of victim service programs, OVC seeks to improve the ability of communities and institutions to respond effectively to trafficking. Funding Available The opportunity provides substantial federal funding for organizations seeking to strengthen victim services.

Key funding details include:

Estimated total funding: $22,315,250

Maximum award: $950,000 per recipient

Funding purpose: Development, expansion, or strengthening of victim service programs

Administering agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

Target population: Victims of human trafficking

The maximum award amount does not mean every applicant will receive $950,000. Applicants should develop budgets that are directly connected to their proposed activities, expected outcomes, staffing requirements, and organizational capacity. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants include a broad range of government, nonprofit, tribal, and educational institutions.

Eligible entities include:

Special district governments County governments State governments City or township governments Federally recognized Native American tribal governments Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education Organizations should carefully review the official funding notice for any additional eligibility conditions, application requirements, or restrictions. What Types of Programs Can Be Supported? The central purpose of the funding is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs.

Potential areas of activity may include:

Survivor assistance and support services Victim identification and referral Case management Advocacy services Recovery and empowerment programs Coordination between service providers Outreach to underserved survivor populations Capacity building for victim service organizations Strengthening referral networks Collaboration with government and community partners Improving access to appropriate resources and services Applicants should clearly demonstrate how proposed activities will improve outcomes for trafficking victims rather than simply describing general organizational operations. Key Program Priorities Strong applications should demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs of human trafficking survivors and explain how proposed services will address those needs.

Important considerations include:

Survivor-centered services: Programs should prioritize the needs, safety, dignity, autonomy, and well-being of survivors.

Accessibility: Services should be accessible to victims with different backgrounds, circumstances, and support needs.

Coordination: Effective partnerships with other service providers can reduce gaps and duplication in survivor services.

Capacity building: Funding can help organizations improve their ability to identify and serve trafficking victims.

Empowerment: Programs should contribute to longer-term recovery, stability, and survivor empowerment.

How the Funding Can Strengthen Organizations Organizations can use this type of funding to address gaps in their existing victim service infrastructure. The proposed activities should be directly connected to the objectives of the funding opportunity. How to Apply Applicants should follow the application instructions contained in the official OVC funding announcement. A strong application process can generally be approached through the following steps:

1. Confirm Applicant Eligibility

Determine whether the organization qualifies as one of the eligible applicant types. Applicants should also review any specific restrictions, federa