OVC Professional Development Scholarship Program
Eligibility and Criteria

Who is eligible?
Service providers from any organization — public, nonprofit, or faith–based — that assists victims of crime but does not have an adequate budget to support training are eligible for the OVC Professional Development Scholarship Program:

• Victim service providers.
• Victim service advocates.
• Social service providers.
• Mental health workers.
• Healthcare professionals.
• Substance abuse workers.
• Law enforcement professionals (who provide direct victim services).
• Prosecutors (who provide direct victim services).

What are the criteria for scholarship awards?
Scholarship awards are based on the following criteria:

• The applicant has provided direct services to, or worked on behalf of, victims of crime in his or her current organization for at least one year.
• The applicant's organization has insufficient funds for training.
• The training is delivered by a stable organization. The organization must have provided crime victim services for a minimum of 12 months. The listed services should remain available for the foreseeable future.
• The application clearly states how the training relates to the applicant's current work in serving victims of crime.
• The training will significantly increase knowledge or skills of the applicant.
• The request for training is supported by the applicant's organization.
• The event has been deemed to further OVC's organizational mission and professional objectives for victim services staff.
• The event focuses primarily on victims' rights, services, and/or skills and educational development.