Grants up to $500,000 to improve school security
Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-COPS-2025-172379
Assistance Listing #: 16.071
Grant Deadline
STEP 1: Submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov.
GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET.
STEP 2: Submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants.
JUSTGRANTS APPLICATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET.
Microgrants for school districts, including rural, tribal, and low-resourced schools also available
The FY25 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) provides funding directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the recipient’s jurisdiction through evidence-based school safety programs.
The COPS Office anticipates that up to $73,000,000 will be available for up to $500,000 per award, with approximately 200 awards anticipated.
A local cost share (matching funds) of at least 25 percent in the form of cash is required unless a match waiver is requested and approved, and the period of performance duration will be 36 months, with a period of performance start date of 10/1/25.
What this grant does for your agency
Approximately $1 million of the available funding will be reserved for microgrants for school districts, including rural, tribal, and low-resourced schools.
Applications for microgrants must not exceed $100,000, and the COPS Office will waive the 25 percent local cost share (matching funds) requirement for microgrant applicants that are selected for funding. Consideration for microgrant funding does not exclude your agency from consideration from non-microgrant SVPP funding.
Applications should demonstrate a comprehensive approach to school safety and activities must fall within one of the statutory purpose areas (see 34 U.S.C. § 10551(b)(5)–(9)):
- “Coordination with local law enforcement”
- “Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self”
- “Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures”
- “Acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency”
- “Any other measure that, in the determination of the COPS Office Director, may provide a significant improvement in security”
Agencies awarded the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) receive:
Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded under Notice of Funding Opportunity: Up to $73,000,000
Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards: Up to $500,000
Expected Number of Awards: 200
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
Grant Eligibility
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- State Law Enforcement Agencies
- Units of local government (e.g., counties, cities, school districts)
- Federally Recognized Indian tribes and their public agencies
- Public Government Agencies
- State and local governmental entities must comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which provides that State and local government entities may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, receiving from, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other federal, state or local government entity. This includes any prohibitions or restrictions imposed or established by a State or local government entity or official.
About COPS
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. More
Grant Deadline
STEP 1: Submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov.
GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET.
STEP 2: Submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants.
JUSTGRANTS APPLICATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET.
Apply
Apply for the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)