The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is now accepting applications for the Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention (FVIP) Grant Program. The purpose of this initiative is to support the implementation of strategies that will result in reducing violent crime within the Commonwealth of Virginia, while implementing effective and sustainable intervention and prevention programming to interrupt and prevent local cycles of violence. Projects funded under this program will support Operation Bold Blue Line, an initiative to fight violent crime by standing up for law enforcement and building meaningful partnerships with communities.

Through violence prevention and intervention programs, numerous states have seen significant reduction in firearm violence. Violence intervention and prevention programs avert interpersonal violence by working with a range of community stakeholders to provide support and intervention to those at highest risk for being victims and perpetrators of violence.

DCJS is seeking applications that propose to initiate evidence-informed local strategic planning. Evidence-informed indicates a practice backed by evidence from research and evaluation, case studies, expert opinions or documented lessons learned from the field. For the purpose of this funding opportunity applicants can apply under two categories.

DCJS anticipates awarding up to $2.5 million through this competitive solicitation.

Maximum Grant Award for Two Year Period (Jan. 1, 2024-Dec. 31, 2025)

Category 1: $250,000: Under this category, funding will support hiring a local coordinator, criminal justice planner or create a new local position dedicated to local violent crime funding and coordination.

Category 2: $25,000: Under this category funding will support local assessment. Applicants are encouraged to partner with local institutions of higher learning or an established organization to conduct local violent crime assessments.

The webinar for this grant solicitation will be held on Monday October 16, 2023, at 2:00pm please register here