Domestic Violence Unit Program (DVUP)

The Domestic Violence Unit Program (DVUP) administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy in Maryland offers targeted funding to local law enforcement agencies to support the swift and accurate entry of protective orders into critical law enforcement databases. Originally established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2000 as a pilot initiative, the DVUP was formally institutionalized after the expiration of its authorizing statute in 2002. Since then, the program has continued through annual state appropriations. The initiative plays a crucial role in bridging the operational gap between judicial order issuance and database entry, aiming to reduce the window of vulnerability for victims of domestic violence. DVUP funds are specifically intended to support personnel costs related to data entry—either through salary or overtime payments—for entering interim and temporary protective orders into the Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System (METERS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). By minimizing the delay between the issuance of orders and their entry into these databases, the program enhances public safety and protects victims by ensuring timely enforcement. However, DVUP grants may not be used for non-personnel expenses such as equipment, travel, construction, or other indirect costs. These restrictions ensure that the funds are used exclusively to bolster critical staffing functions within eligible law enforcement agencies. Eligible applicants include local law enforcement agencies in Maryland that comply with the Family Law Article sections 4-504.1(g) and 4-505(b). Only one application per agency is permitted, and agencies must maintain current registrations with SAM.gov and possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications must be submitted online through Maryland’s Grants Management System (GMS), and hard copy submissions will not be accepted. The application package must include a detailed narrative, budget, supporting certifications, an organizational chart, and a completed Organizational Capacity Questionnaire (OCQ) via Qualtrics. Failure to adhere to these submission guidelines may result in disqualification. The application process for the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 DVUP opened in March 2026 and will close on April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants must request a GMS user ID by April 17, 2026. Program awards are expected to be announced in June 2026, and the grant period will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The total available funding for this cycle is $196,354, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Up to ten grants are expected to be distributed. All funding is contingent on the Governor’s Office budget as approved by the Maryland General Assembly. Applications will be evaluated through a structured review process that includes both internal staff and possibly external reviewers. Review criteria include organizational capacity, justification of need, project design, clarity of goals and objectives, staffing plans, and budget justification. Grantees are expected to report quarterly on the number of protective orders received, how quickly they are entered into METERS/NCIC, and how the project meets defined outcomes. A strong emphasis is placed on data-driven decision-making and performance measurement to evaluate the program’s impact. Applicants may contact Sharon Leason, the DVUP Funding Manager and Grant Monitor, at [email protected] or 410-697-9338 for technical assistance or questions about the program. Fiscal questions may be directed to Janene Dyson at [email protected], and inquiries related to project design may be addressed to Leliya Lindsay at [email protected]. The program is expected to recur annually, with the next cycle likely beginning in March 2027.

Ensure narratives follow word limits; incomplete applications or missing attachments will be disqualified.