Frequently Asked Questions

OVC uses AEAP to help jurisdictions respond to victims’ immediate and ongoing needs in the aftermath of mass violence or domestic terrorism. This funding can compensate and assist victims of terrorism and mass violence that occur within the United States.

Further details can be found in the AEAP Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Eligible applicants for the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) include—

• state victim assistance and compensation programs;
• public agencies, including federal, state, and local governments;
• federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior and published in the Federal Register;
• U.S. Attorney’s Offices;
• public institutions of higher education; and
• nongovernmental and victim service organizations.

NOTE: Funding is not available for foreign governments or individual crime victims.

No, individuals cannot apply for AEAP funding.

OVC provides five types of assistance to respond to incidents of terrorism and mass violence under the AEAP:

• Crisis response grants (emergency, short-term, and up to 9 months) help victims build adaptive capacities, decrease stressors, and reduce symptoms of trauma immediately following an incident
• Consequence management grants (ongoing, long-term, and up to 18 months) help victims recover and regain their ability to function;
• Criminal justice support grants (ongoing, long-term, and up to 36 months) facilitate victim participation in investigations or prosecutions directly related to the incident;
• Crime victim compensation grants (available during or after the crisis phase) reimburses victims for out-of-pocket expenses related to their victimization through state crime victim compensation programs; and
• Training and technical assistance (available during or after the crisis phase) helps federal, state, Tribal, and local authorities identify victim needs, coordinate victim services, develop response strategies, and address related issues. OVC may also provide consultants to draft the AEAP application and perform related tasks.

Please note that, on a case-by-case basis, the OVC Director may approve a limited amount of funding for administrative purposes deemed essential to the delivery of services and assistance to victims.

If you are interested in applying for AEAP funding, contact OVC at 202-307-5983.

AEAP applications are accepted only from the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred unless a compelling justification can be provided to the OVC Director that supports requests from other jurisdictions or a statute establishes a special authorization and appropriation for allocations to be made to other jurisdictions.

AEAP grants are available by OVC invitation only. Shortly after an event, OVC will contact officials in the state or jurisdiction where the incident occurred to discuss the scope of victims’ needs and explain what resources may be available. OVC encourages potential applicants to coordinate victim-related activities with organizations such as—

• state emergency preparedness agencies;
• state mental health agencies;
• local chapters of the American Red Cross and United Way; and
• federal, state, local, and/or Tribal law enforcement and prosecutors’ offices.

In most instances, OVC will make only one award for each incident with the grantee assuming overall responsibility for coordination of grant activities with subgrantees.

You are encouraged to view the AEAP Notice of Funding Opportunity to learn more about eligibility requirements.

OVC will provide funding for the following activities:

• Crisis response assistance.
• Consequence management assistance.
• Criminal justice support assistance.
• Crime victim compensation assistance.

These activities are intended to complement services that are available from other agencies and organizations as well as to provide a base level of assistance for terrorism and mass violence victims.

Funding for services and other support may include activities that are deemed necessary and essential to providing services and are not limited to the assistance categories listed above. In addition, a limited amount of available funding, as agreed upon by OVC and the applicant, may be used for administrative purposes deemed necessary and essential to the delivery of services and assistance to victims.

View pages 6–8 of the AEAP Notice of Funding Opportunity for further details about the types of services that are allowable.

The amount of AEAP funding awarded is decided on a case-by-case basis considering factors such as the availability of other resources (including Victims of Crime Act formula grant dollars); the severity of the impact; and the number of people suffering from physical, emotional, and psychological injury. Requests for funding must identify all other federal and nonfederal contributions (cash or in-kind).

If amounts awarded are not expended by the end of the grant period, they must be returned to OVC for deobligation.

OVC will conduct a thorough review of each AEAP application; however, due to the unique nature of each incident and the complex nature of the application and the application review process, OVC cannot provide a specific timeframe. OVC is aware of the critical role AEAP funding can provide to communities and will work as quickly and efficiently as possible in its review of every application. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible after the review process has been completed.