Violence Reduction Network: National Training and Technical Assistance Program | BJA 2016 9113

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) National Training and Technical Assistance Program?

The Violence Reduction Network (VRN): National Training and Technical Assistance Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity focused on reducing serious violence in some of the nation’s most violent cities. It is designed to organize and deliver targeted, high-intensity training and technical assistance (TTA) to participating jurisdictions.

2) Which federal agency administers this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

3) What is the main purpose of VRN?

The core purpose is to help reduce serious violence by bringing coordinated DOJ resources to jurisdictions that request support, and by delivering intensive, tailored training and technical assistance aligned with local needs and conditions.

4) Is VRN meant to fund a single violence reduction program in every city?

No. VRN is not built to fund one uniform local intervention everywhere. It is a site-specific support model that tailors assistance to what each participating jurisdiction requests and needs.

5) What does "site-specific" assistance mean in this program?

"Site-specific" means the training and technical assistance is tailored to each participating jurisdiction. The grantee is expected to work closely with selected cities and their local stakeholders to align federal expertise and tools with local conditions, capacity, and ongoing initiatives.

6) How does VRN relate to local anti-violence strategies already in place?

VRN is designed to strengthen and accelerate existing local anti-violence strategies, not replace them. The focus is on enhancing what jurisdictions are already doing through structured, systematic technical assistance.

7) What kinds of training and technical assistance activities may be supported under VRN?

Based on the program description, VRN technical assistance can include strategic planning, implementation support, problem-solving around operational barriers, and guidance on evidence-informed violence reduction approaches.

8) What is meant by an "all-hands" approach?

The "all-hands" approach refers to coordinating multiple DOJ resources together in a unified way, rather than providing isolated or disconnected support. The goal is to deliver coordinated assistance aligned with each jurisdiction’s needs.

9) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants are organizations with proven capacity to deliver national-level training and technical assistance related to violent crime reduction. The solicitation allows a wide range of applicant types, including nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), institutions of higher education, faith-based and community organizations, tribal organizations, and consortiums.

10) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, are listed as eligible applicants.

11) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are included as eligible applicants, but they must agree to waive any profit or fees for services.

12) What does it mean that for-profit applicants must waive profit or fees?

It means the work must be performed on a cost-recovery basis. In other words, the applicant cannot generate profit or charge fees for services under the award.

13) Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicant types.

14) Are faith-based and community organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Faith-based and community organizations are specifically listed among the eligible applicant categories.

15) Are tribal organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Tribal nonprofit or for-profit organizations and tribal institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.

16) Are consortiums eligible to apply?

Yes. Consortiums are listed as eligible applicants.

17) What type of organizations is this grant trying to fund?

The grant is aimed at selecting capable national training and technical assistance providers that can coordinate DOJ-aligned assistance, respond to jurisdiction-specific needs, and deliver intensive support intended to reduce violent crime in high-violence cities.

18) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $3,000,000 per award.

20) How many awards are expected to be made?

There is an expectation of making two awards.

21) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.751.

22) What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls within the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

23) When was the application closing date?

The original closing date for applications was May 5, 2016.

24) When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of March 7, 2016.

25) What kind of results is VRN trying to achieve?

The program is intended to help produce measurable reductions in violent crime by providing intensive, jurisdiction-tailored training and technical assistance that strengthens existing local strategies.

26) Does VRN funding go directly to cities for local interventions?

The information provided describes VRN as a national training and technical assistance program that supports jurisdictions through structured assistance. It emphasizes selecting national TTA providers rather than funding a single local intervention everywhere.