OVW needs Peer Reviewers!

Every year the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women(OVW) receives applications from all over the country.  OVW, through its peer review process, convenes panels of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking experts and practitioners to evaluate grant proposals based on the requirements outlined in each program's solicitation.

Since 1995 OVW has awarded over $5.3 billion in grants and cooperative agreements to enable communities to enforce protection orders, provide legal assistance and other services to victims, provide intensive training to police officers, prosecutors and judges, and support local efforts to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

OVW Peer reviewers may include victim advocates, judges, prosecutors, police officers, legal professionals, and others with expertise on issues such as, tribal communities, colleges and universities, rural areas, urban areas, disabled and elderly populations, and service provisions to victims, including those provided by the faith community, as they relate to violence against women.  While some peer reviewers are expert consultants on violence against women issues, the vast majority of peer reviewers are active practitioners or recent retirees from the professions mentioned above.  OVW does not use professional peer reviewers because it is our goal to have applications reviewed by individuals with up-to-date, and on-the-ground knowledge of violence against women issues.  In addition, all potential peer reviewers will be considered and approved by OVW management.  Each year, the number of peer reviewers needed for each program will be determined based on the number of applications received.  OVW Peer Reviews are generally held from mid February through May of each year.

If you are interested in becoming an OVW peer reviewer, please complete the peer review recruitment form listed below and attach a copy of your current resume or curriculum vitae highlighting your relevant violence against women experience and email it to ovw.peerreview@usdoj.gov. Prior experience as a peer reviewer is not required. *Please note that employees of applicants for OVW grant funding will not be considered as potential  reviewers for the program or programs to which their organization is applying.

FY 2013 Peer Review Guidelines (PDF)

Peer Reviewer Recruitment Form (PDF)