INDIANAPOLIS — Through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, more than $60 million is available in federal funds to support public and nonprofit organizations that provide services to Indiana crime victims.

This is part of the Victims of Crime Act assistance program and funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund, which is financed through the fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders.

“This program is about providing victims access to the justice, assistant and support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI executive director. “There are many organizations in Indiana working toward this cause. We hope they will take advantage of this opportunity.”

VOCA grants can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from victim advocacy to therapy to legal support. They can also be used to play for strategic planning or cover certain administrative costs, such as salaries, benefits and training for staff, to name a few.

While the full list is outlined in the request for proposals, priority will be given to projects that support underserved violent crime victims and victims of child abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault.

“We want every victim in Indiana to have a chance at recovery, especially our youngest, most vulnerable members of society,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Division Director. “VOCA enables communities to be able to provide more of that local support.”

In order to be eligible, organizations must have a documented history of providing services to crime victims and have at least 25 percent of their funding come from outside sources, other than the Crime Victims Fund.

For all projects, a 20 percent match is required and services must be provided at no cost to the victim. In addition, volunteers must be utilized as part of the proposal and victims’ identities must be protected at all times.

If selected, organizations will be reimbursed throughout the life of the grant, which begins on Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2022.

Applications must be submitted electronically through IntelliGrants by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.