The School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) funding opportunity seeks to improve school and school-ground security through evidence-based school safety programs. This is part of the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, which authorized the Department of Justice to award grantees to implement evidence-based school safety programs and technologies.
Visit COPS’ FY2026 SVPP program page for more information about the grant program and to download the full funding opportunity. Deadlines for submission are:
- Grants.gov Deadline: 08/04/2026, by 4:59 PM ET
- Application JustGrants Deadline: 08/11/2026, by 4:59 PM ET
The anticipated funding available through the FY2026 COPS SVPP is approximately 200 awards of up to $500,000 with a local cost share of at least 25% in cash, and at least 10 microgrant awards of up to $100,000 without a local cost share. Each award is three years (36 months) in duration.
The program seeks to improve security at K-12 schools by funding projects that include:
- funding of civilian personnel to serve as coordinators with local law enforcement
- training for local law enforcement officers
- purchase and installation of certain allowable equipment and technology (e.g. door locking mechanisms, intercom or public address systems, visitor management systems)
- other measures to significantly improve school security
This funding cannot be used for training school personnel and education students to prevent student violence, developing or operating reporting systems for threats of school violence, school threat assessment and intervention teams, or specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises. Instead, see the BJA STOP School Violence Program for funding for these activities. These funds can also not be used to hire or pay sworn law enforcement officers, including school resource officers.
Webinar for Interested Applicants
A live webinar for prospective applicants will be held on June 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.